Understanding Sensory Processing in Autism: A Guide for Families

Why do certain sounds feel like a fire alarm in the brain? Why does a clothing tag become the villain of the day? Let’s unpack sensory processing differences in autism with empathy, science, and practical strategies you can try tomorrow.

What Is Sensory Processing, anyway?

Imagine your brain as an air-traffic control tower. For most people, it smoothly directs thousands of sensory “planes”—sights, sounds, smells, touches, movement—without a hitch. For many autistic individuals, that tower works differently. Some planes land too hard (hypersensitivity), some barely register (hyposensitivity), and sometimes the runway lights just… flicker.

This isn’t “being picky.” It’s Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) or, more accurately in autism, atypical sensory reactivity—a core feature recognized in the DSM-5 under autism spectrum disorder.

Quick stat: Up to 90% of autistic people experience significant sensory differences (Marco et al., 2011).

• The 8 Sensory Systems (Yes, There Are Eight!)

We all know the big five, but autism teaches us to zoom out:

• Visual Sight

Overwhelmed by fluorescent lights or busy patterns.

• Auditory Hearing

Sounds feel painfully loud (hyperacusis) or get “stuck” (echolalia)

• Tactile Touch

Tags, seams, hugs, or light touch can cause distress

• Olfactory Smell

A faint perfume = migraine trigger

• Gustatory Taste

Limited diet due to texture aversion

• Vestibular Balance/motion

Craves spinning or avoids swings

• Proprioceptive Body position

Seeks deep pressure (bear hugs, weighted blankets)

• Interoception Internal signals

Struggles to feel hunger, pain, or emotions.

Hypo vs. Hyper:

Meet little Hugo.

• Hyper (over-responsive): Grocery store = torture. The beeping scanners, crying babies, and cold air from freezers make him cover his ears and melt down.

• Hypo (under-responsive): He’ll crash into furniture for “input” or chew shirt collars until they’re threads.

Hugo isn’t “misbehaving", his brain is screaming or whispering when ours would just say, “Eh, it’s fine.”

Research points to atypical neural connectivity. Autistic brains often show:

• Reduced filtering in the thalamus (the brain’s sensory gatekeeper)

• Hyper-connected local circuits → details pop, big picture blurs

• Amygdala overactivity → neutral stimuli feel threatening

Bloom-Friendly Strategies That Actually Work

1. Create a Sensory Diet (Not food—a routine!)

• Morning: Weighted blanket + gentle rocking

• Midday: Noise-canceling headphones in loud spaces

• Evening: Dim lights + lavender diffuser

Pro tip: Work with an OT to customize!

2. The “Sensory Toolkit” Backpack

• Fidget cube

• Chewelry (chewable jewelry)

• Sunglasses (even indoors)

• A “calm card” with deep-pressure instructions

3. Home Hacks

• Swap fluorescent bulbs for warm LEDs

• Tag less clothing or turn socks inside-out

• “Quiet corner” with bean bag + fairy lights

4. Interoception Check-Ins

Use a body scan script:

“How does your tummy feel? Tight or floppy? Let’s take three big lion breaths.”

When to Seek Help:

If sensory issues lead to:

• Daily meltdowns

• Refusal to eat/sleep

• Self-injury (head-banging, biting)

…connect with an occupational therapist (OT) trained in sensory integration.

A Message to Parents & Caregivers

You’re not failing when the world feels too loud for your child. You’re their sensory translator. Every pair of loop earplugs you pack, every weighted vest you zip, is a love letter in action.

And to autistic readers: Your sensory world is yours. It’s okay to need quiet, to crave pressure, to script movie lines for comfort. You’re not “too much.” You’re exactly enough.

Let’s keep blooming—together.

Drop your favorite sensory hack in the comments! What works for your family?

Resources:

• Sensory Processing Handbook – STAR Institute

• “The Out-of-Sync Child” by Carol Stock

• Autism Speaks Sensory Toolkit

sensory-checklist.pdf

Download PDF • 2.27MB

"After speaking about Hugo being constantly in flight or fright I chatted to the moms in our group, and they all shared the daily challenges they are going through."

“People thought I was exaggerating. ‘He’s fine, just ignore it.’ But Leo would scream the second we hit the freezer aisle. Not tantrum-scream—pain-scream. One day he bolted, hid under the egg display, and rocked for 10 minutes."

Turns out? The humming freezers + fluorescent lights + cold air = sensory overload. We started ‘scouting missions’: I’d go in first with noise-canceling headphones, pick 3 items, and leave. Now Leo wears his ‘superhero loops’ and we high-five at the door. Progress, not perfection.”

“Vacuum = dragon roar. Jade would hide in the closet. Mommy says, ‘two minutes.’ I count: 1-2-3-NO.

Now? Vacuum sleeps in garage. We use broom. Broom is quiet friend.

I flap happy when house clean. No dragon.”

“We were replacing $30 shirts weekly. Teachers sent notes: ‘Distracting.’ I was mortified.

Then an OT introduced chewelry. Jamal picked a silicone ‘shark tooth’ necklace. First day? He wore it proudly. Shirt intact.

Bonus: Classmates asked for their own. Suddenly Jamal’s the trendsetter.”

My friend Lauren asked her teenage girl. Her reply was incredible.

“Hugs from strangers? NOPE. But wrap me in a blanket burrito? I can finally breathe.

Middle school lockers slamming + cafeteria chaos = daily shutdowns. My IEP now includes a ‘crash corner’ with a yoga ball and weighted lap pad.

Teachers thought I was ‘avoiding work.’ Nah. I was surviving.”

And then there’s our little boy, hiding under the lunch table because the cafeteria lights buzzed like hornets:

You’re not broken. Your brain just speaks fluorescent.

One day you’ll wear sunglasses indoors and call it style. You’ll find weighted blankets are the most comfortable blankets that exist. And you’ll build a whole website, so no kid feels alone under that table.

Your Turn, Bloom Fam

Which story hit home? Drop your own in the comments—no filters needed. Spill it. Let’s turn our chaos into connection.

We’re not experts—just families figuring it out, one weighted blanket at a time. 🌱