How to Help Your Child Cope with Sensory Processing Disorder

Key Points:

• Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) affects how a child receives and responds to sensory information, often causing discomfort or distress.
• Parents can use specific strategies at home to help their child adapt and feel safe.
• Sensory diets, environmental changes, and professional support can make a significant impact.

Your child doesn’t like loud noises, refuses socks, and needs constant movement. Sound familiar? Sensory Processing Disorder can make everyday life feel like a minefield. But once you know what’s behind the challenging behaviors, you can learn to support them with compassion, structure, and tools that bring calm to the chaos.

What is Sensory Processing Disorder?

Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID) is a neurological disorder where the brain has difficulty interpreting and responding to sensory information. This can include stimuli like noises, touch, movement, tastes, and smells. Children with SID might respond excessively (hypersensitive) or insufficiently (hyposensitive) to these sensory inputs.

These challenges can affect daily activities like getting dressed, eating, going to the city center, or playing with peers. While SPD is not officially recognized as a standalone diagnosis in the DSM-5, many clinicians and therapists treat it as part of a broader developmental picture, often alongside autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, or anxiety.

Recognizing 14 SPD Signs in Children

Sensory Processing Disorder doesn’t look the same in every child. Some kids react strongly to sensory input, while others don’t seem to notice it at all. Understanding these differences can help you spot red flags early and guide you toward the right kind of support. Below are common signs based on how a child may respond to sensory input.

7 Signs of Hypersensitivity (Over-Responsiveness)

Children with hypersensitivity often feel overwhelmed by everyday sensations. Their nervous systems treat normal input, like a tag on a shirt or a classroom full of chatter, as too much to handle. These children may go into fight-or-flight mode during otherwise routine experiences.

Look for signs like:

• Covering ears in response to normal or even soft sounds
• Refusing to wear certain clothes due to how they feel (tags, seams, fabrics)
• Strong reactions to bright lights, crowded rooms, or noisy environments
• Avoiding messy play or being reluctant to get hands dirty
• Becoming upset or distressed when touched, even affectionately
• Complaining about food textures or refusing entire food groups
• Struggling to focus in stimulating settings like school or parties

7 Signs of Hyposensitivity (Under-Responsiveness)

Children with hyposensitivity often crave more input from their surroundings to feel grounded. They may appear constantly active or seem unfazed by things that would typically cause discomfort or pain. These kids might seek out intense movement or touch to meet their sensory needs.

Watch for behaviors like:

• Constantly bumping into people or objects without noticing
• Seeking out spinning, jumping, or crashing activities frequently
• Touching everything around them, even inappropriately
• Not responding to pain or temperature extremes
• Ignoring personal messes like a runny nose, dirty hands, or food on the face
• Showing little reaction to loud sounds or bright lights that would bother others
• Chewing non-food items like clothing, pencils, or toys

Recognizing whether your child is over- or under-responsive—or even a combination of both—is the first step in creating strategies that actually work. It’s not about labeling; it’s about understanding their world better so you can meet their needs more effectively.

How Parents Can Help Children with Sensory Needs

Supporting a child with sensory processing disorder at home begins with awareness. The more you observe how your child reacts to sights, sounds, textures, and movement, the better you can adapt your routines and spaces to help them feel more comfortable and secure.

Create a Sensory-Safe Environment

Start by adjusting your home to minimize sensory triggers. Use soft lighting, avoid strong smells, and reduce clutter. Noise-canceling headphones or white noise machines can help manage sound sensitivity. For tactile comfort, choose seamless clothing and soft blankets or furniture textures your child enjoys.

Include Sensory Breaks in the Day

Sensory breaks help children reset when they’re overstimulated or seeking input. These short, purposeful activities give the brain a chance to recalibrate. Breaks can include deep breathing, swinging, jumping, squeezing a stress ball, or even quiet time in a calm space with dim lighting.

Introduce Calming Tools

Simple tools can offer relief during overwhelming moments. Weighted blankets, body socks, fidget toys, and compression vests can soothe both over- and under-sensitive children. Test a few options to see what your child responds to best—what works for one child may not for another.

Respect Sensory Boundaries

Never force your child into sensory experiences they find distressing. Avoid crowded environments, scratchy clothes, or unfamiliar foods if they cause meltdowns. Over time, with professional guidance, you can introduce new sensory input gradually—but always with care and your child’s consent.

Use Visual Supports

Visual supports like charts, timers, and emotion cards help children understand expectations. A “first-then” board can prepare them for tasks like “First brush teeth, then storytime.” These visuals reduce verbal overload and give your child more confidence through clearer communication.

Give Them a Choice and Control

When children feel they have control, their anxiety tends to lessen. Offer small choices during the day: which shirt to wear, what activity to do next, or which calming tool to use. This not only builds independence but also helps them feel heard and understood.

What is a Sensory Diet, and How Does It Help?

A sensory plan is a personalized collection of exercises and techniques aimed at assisting a child in managing their sensory experiences in an organized manner throughout the day. Despite its name, it has nothing to do with food—instead, it focuses on providing the nervous system with appropriate sensory stimulation to maintain equilibrium. 

Sensory plans incorporate various types of activities, selected based on the child’s specific sensitivities and requirements. An occupational therapist usually suggests these strategies after assessing how the child processes sensory information. Each activity is designed to either energize, soothe, or structure the sensory system and is customized to fit seamlessly into the child’s daily schedule.

When Should You Seek Professional Help to Address SPD

Some sensory issues can be managed at home, but others may require therapy—especially when they interfere with daily life, school, or relationships. If your child frequently melts down, avoids common tasks, or struggles with social interaction, it's time to seek professional guidance.

Professionals who help with sensory processing issues include:

• Occupational therapists (OTs): Often the go-to for SPD support. They use sensory integration therapy to help children better respond to sensory input.
• Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs): For children with autism, ABA therapy may also address sensory-related behaviors.
• Developmental pediatricians: Can assess if SPD is part of a larger diagnosis like autism or ADHD.
• Speech-language pathologists (SLPs): Especially if sensory issues affect feeding or communication.

Early intervention leads to better outcomes, and combining therapy with home support can have a lasting impact.

The Role of ABA Therapy in Treating SPD

While ABA therapy is primarily used to support children with autism, many ABA providers integrate sensory strategies into their work, especially when behaviors are influenced by sensory challenges.

ABA therapists may:

• Use reinforcement to help a child tolerate sensory input
• Break down overwhelming tasks into manageable steps
• Collaborate with OTs to align behavior strategies with sensory needs
• Track patterns in behavior that correlate with sensory triggers

If your child is on the autism spectrum and has SPD symptoms, ABA therapy can provide structured, measurable support to help them develop coping skills. To learn more about how this therapy may be covered by insurance, check out our article, "Is ABA Therapy Covered by Insurance? Find Out Here."

Looking for ABA Therapy in New Hampshire, Kansas, or Virginia?

Helping your child manage Sensory Processing Disorder takes time, consistency, and support. If your child also has autism or related developmental needs, ABA therapy can play a meaningful role in their progress.

At Aluma Care, we offer personalized ABA therapy in New Hampshire, Kansas, and Virginia, working closely with families to build routines, reinforce positive behaviors, and help children navigate sensory challenges with confidence.

Contact us today to learn how ABA therapy can support your child’s growth and comfort in their everyday world.