Sensory Seeking Vs. Sensory Sensitive

Sensory seeking vs sensory sensitive ? Learn about the signs and symptoms of each and how to manage them in your child's daily life.

Do you know what the difference is between sensory seeking and sensory sensitive ? Sensory seeking is when a person craves more sensory input, while sensory sensitive is when a person experiences overload or overstimulation from too much sensory input. This can be from any of the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
Sensory Seeking vs Sensory Sensitive

In contrast, sensory sensitivity occurs when an individual experiences discomfort or overload from everyday sensory input. Sounds, textures, lights, or smells that most people find tolerable can be overwhelming for someone who is sensory sensitive .
Often people strive to understand what exactly the difference is between sensory seeking and sensory sensitive . Generally, there are two ways in which people with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) respond to sensory input - they seek more or become sensitive to it and attempt to avoid it.

Four Patterns of Sensory Processing
When developing any programming for a child, it is common to identify if the child is sensitive to stimuli within a particular sense. Below is a chart to help you understand an individual child's needs. There are the four patterns of sensory processing: low registration, sensation seeking , sensory sensitive and sensation avoiding.
Is your child sensory-seeking , sensory-sensitive - or both?? As Fort Myers ABA therapists, we recognize that many behaviors are rooted in sensory processing issues. This is particularly true of kids who are on the autism spectrum.

Sensory seeking and sensory avoiding
Sensory seeking : What it is and how it looks Most sensory seekers are undersensitive to input (this may be referred to as "hyposensitivity"). They look for more sensory stimulation. Kids who sensory seek may look clumsy, be a little too loud or seem to have "behavior issues." Sensory input can help stimulate kids to feel less sluggish.
Sensory processing differences affect how autistic, ADHD, and other neurodivergent people experience the world. Learn about sensory sensitivity, seeking , and evidence-based support strategies.
Sensory Seeking vs. Sensory Avoiding
Learn the difference between sensory seeking and sensory avoiding in children. Discover how to identify your child's needs and find strategies to support them.








Early Intervention for Sensory Differences One of the areas that is always assessed when determining if a child is eligible for Early Intervention services is the area of sensory processing. These areas include Low Registration, Sensation Seeking , Sensation Sensitivity, and Sensation Avoidance.