Sensory processing, interoception and body signals
How sound, light, touch, movement and internal body signals can affect comfort and participation, with practical changes matched to the situation.
What you can find here
- What can make clothes, haircuts, noise or smells painful or distressing?
- Why might my child seek movement or firm pressure?
- Why might they miss hunger, thirst, pain or the need for the toilet?
- What should I know before buying a weighted blanket or sensory product?
- How can we make a particular activity at home or school easier?
Begin with the main Library article
Main Library article
Why do everyday things feel unbearable to my child? A parent's guide to sensory processing
A practical guide to noticing sensory input, understanding mixed responses and changing an activity or environment without assuming one cause.
More from the Library
Why does noise upset my child so much?
How to identify the sound, setting and meaning that make noise difficult, use hearing protection carefully and know when to ask for audiology advice.
Written February 2026
Why does my child squint, cover their eyes or avoid busy places?
How to separate light, glare, movement, clutter and navigation demands, make one place easier to use and know when an eye check is needed.
Written February 2026
Why does my child not notice hunger, thirst, pain or needing the toilet?
How to support a child who notices body signals late, intensely or unclearly without guessing what every sensation means or overlooking illness.
Written February 2026
Why does my child crash, climb and never stop moving?
How to understand repeated movement without assuming one cause, create safer routes for force and motion, and review whether an activity improves participation.
Written January 2026
Why does my child hate labels, seams, haircuts and hair washing?
How to separate touch, temperature, balance, pain and loss of control in dressing and hair care, then change the exact part that hurts.
Written January 2026
Why do smells and tastes bother my child so much?
How to separate taste, smell, texture, temperature and oral input, reduce environmental barriers and respond safely to mouthing or changed senses.
Written January 2026
What is sensory load, and why does it build up across a day?
How sensory and other demands can accumulate, why the last event may be misleading and how to change the day before access collapses.
Written January 2026
Do weighted blankets, ear defenders and sensory toys work?
How to judge sensory products by purpose, safety and real-life effect, with specific guidance on weighted blankets and hearing protection.
Written January 2026
How do we make home less overwhelming, room by room?
A practical room-by-room method for reducing sensory barriers at home without redesigning the house or putting one person’s needs above everyone else’s.
Written January 2026
Quick answers from the Blog
Why is the supermarket such a disaster?
How to separate the sensory and practical demands of shopping, reduce the load and decide which parts your child needs to attend.
Written January 2026
Which sensory changes help most in an ordinary classroom?
Start with the lesson and barrier: practical changes to sound, seating, movement, visual load and exits that can be reviewed in an ordinary classroom.
Written January 2026
What is a sensory profile, and who can put one together?
A sensory profile records the situations that help or hinder a child so families and schools can make practical, testable changes.
Written January 2026