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Sensory Seeker, Sensory Avoider or Both?

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Sensory Seeker, Sensory Avoider or Both?

Jeanette Loftus

Children who have Sensory Processing Disorder are usually put into two different categories. They are a seeker, an avoider or both

A lot of parents ask if their child can be a seeker and an avoider? Yes, you can actually be an avoider and a seeker too. It's more common to be both than one or the other.

A sensory seeker is hyposensitive to sensory input and an avoider is hypersensitive to sensory input.

A child with sensory processing disorder that is an avoider will become overstimulated because they are sensitive to the sensory input around them and will feel everything much more intense then others. Sensory avoiders will avoid sensory input.

Hypersensitivity is sensory processing over-responsivity. This is when an a child has a heightened sensitivity to the sensory input around them in their environment. This means that they are experiencing certain sensations from their senses like touch, sound, or light. This can feel very overwhelming and described as painful for some.

A child who is hypersensitive can become anxious and distressed from hearing loud sounds around them like a siren or a horn and for other children it can be feeling of different fabrics on their skin. This can impact a child's ability to take part in many different activities that other children can. Often leading to a child avoiding situations and places.

Hyposensitivity is sensory processing under-responsivity. This is when a child has a reduced response to the sensory input around them in their environment. They may have a high tolerance for the sensory sensations they feel that others could find uncomfortable. A hyposensitive child may not even notice that they have cut themselves or they may participate in sensory activities that are activities that have high levels of physical stimulation without feeling overwhelmed at all.

Hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity can be challenging for children who have sensory processing disorder.

Children who struggle with hypersensitivity may avoid activities and different environments because it is too overwhelming for them. They may also experience sensory meltdown from being too overwhelmed in overstimulating environments.

Children who experience challenges with hyposensitivity may participate in riskier behaviors because they don't feel the same level of fear or discomfort than others their age. Sensory seekers will not react to the environment around them like an avoider would. Sensory seekers crave and want the sensory input.

It is common for a child to be both hypersensitive and hyposensitive at the same time. This can also change for a child daily too. A child may be hypersensitive to tactile touch and struggle with the texture of their clothing fabric but they could be hyposensitive to proprioceptive input and need more rough play and sensory heavy work activities. Sensory needs are very different for each child.

Hypersensitive means that you are more sensitive (over-responsive) to sensory input than others. This could look like a child covering their ears because something in their environment is too loud for them. They tend to struggle with wearing different clothing, often not being able to wear clothes at all. Children who are hypersensitive as avoiders, they avoid different types of sensory input because they are more sensitive.

Hyposensitive is when a child is less sensitive (under-responsive) to input than others. This is when a child craves and needs more sensory input to be and feel regulated. A child who is hyposensitive is usually constantly moving, jumping, playing rough with others and spinning. Children who are hyposensitive are known as sensory seekers.

A child can be both hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity. A child can be hypersensitive to different sounds and hyposensitive to touching different things around them. When a child is both hypersensitive and hyposensitive it can be very challenging to accommodate a child's sensory needs.

Hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity can get better when a child goes to see an occupational therapist who is trained in sensory integration therapy. The occupational therapist would be exposing a child to sensory input to help them process the sensory input, respond to sensations and cope better. This will help a child be more comfortable with sensory input in their environment and reduce their avoidance behaviors.

A Seeker loves movement, being rough and active, loves a stimulating environment, craves salty, spicy foods or extra chewy and crunchy foods, enjoys motion, crashes into walls or floors, loves running and jumping, needs to touch everything, cant sit still, and has poor attention span.

Seekers also climb too high, climbing on everything, crashes into people and everything, licks and chews on everything, eating too much, doesn't feel pain like most do, over stuff there mouths, dump out boxes full of stuff and look through everything, engages in messy play with play dough mud, shaving cream and they're loud with little volume control.

An avoider is the opposite as a seeker. They avoid. Picky eaters, covers ears from noise, wont wear shoes, avoids mess and messy hands, dislikes anyone too close to them, doesn't like climbing and swinging, refuses bath time and swimming activities including water, complains about smells, doesn't like to brush teeth, complains about normal lighting that its too bright, over responsive to pain and feel everything more than they should, doesn't like tags and seams on clothes and avoids hugs.

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DISCLAIMER: I have learned a lot over the years but I am still learning. Always do your own research and exercise sound judgment. I am not an occupational therapist or a physician. I am an adult who has sensory processing disorder, a sensory parent and a Grandma. The information on this website is not medical advice and does not replace the information that your child's therapists or medical professionals give you. These are just ideas that I have learned myself over the years of being a parent and an adult living with SPD. If you are concerned for your child, please always seek medical attention through a family doctor, pediatrician or therapist. This website is for awareness and support purposes only. Each child is different and what works for one child may not for another because all children have different sensory needs. Please always consult with a professional.

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