For Families
Sensory basics
Plain-language background on how sensory processing is commonly described.
“Sensory processing” covers how the nervous system takes in and responds to input — movement, touch, sound, and the body’s own internal signals. People vary widely in how they experience each of these, and none of that variation is, on its own, a problem to be fixed.
Rather than one long page trying to cover everything at once, this background is organized as a set of shorter, focused articles in the Sensory Library — each one answering a specific question you might actually be asking.
Start with these
- RoutinesWhat is a sensory diet?
- Movement needsWhat is proprioception, and why do kids crave "heavy work"?
- Movement needsHeavy work activities to try at home
- Movement needsWhat is vestibular processing?
- Touch and textureWhy does my child refuse certain clothing textures?
- Touch and textureWhat is tactile defensiveness?
- SoundWhy are loud or unexpected noises so distressing?
- OverwhelmWhat is interoception?
- SoundWhat kinds of tools actually help with sound sensitivity?
- School supportHow can a classroom be made more sound-friendly?
- OverwhelmWhy do fluorescent lights or busy visual environments feel overwhelming?
- FocusWhat is a low-stimulation space, and how do you set one up?
- Touch and textureWhat is oral sensory seeking, and why does my child chew on everything?
- Touch and textureWhat are safe chewable sensory tools, and when should you use them?
- Touch and textureHow can I help a picky eater who avoids certain food textures?
- Movement needsWhy does my child spin, rock, or seek constant movement?
- Movement needsWhat are safe ways to give a sensory-seeking child more movement?
- Movement needsWhy does pushing, carrying, or squeezing something feel calming?
- RoutinesWhy does my child struggle to notice hunger, thirst, or the bathroom?
- OverwhelmHow can adults build better body-awareness and self-regulation skills?
- School supportHow does school-based occupational therapy work?
- School supportWhat sensory accommodations are common in classrooms?
- School supportHow to talk to a teacher about your child's sensory needs
- RoutinesWhat to ask about cost, insurance, and scheduling before your first appointment
- RoutinesWhat to ask about a therapist's approach and experience
- OverwhelmWhat sensory accommodations are available in the workplace?
- OverwhelmGetting a sensory assessment as an adult: what to expect
- OverwhelmSensory-friendly daily routines for adults
- RoutinesHow can bedtime be made more sensory-friendly?
- OverwhelmHow can travel be made easier for sensory sensitivities?
- OverwhelmWhat are hand-based grounding techniques, and why do they work?
- OverwhelmWhy do certain smells feel so overwhelming?
- OverwhelmWhat is the difference between a meltdown and a shutdown?
- OverwhelmWhat is co-regulation, and how can parents use it during overwhelm?