For many kids, their brains naturally organize sensory input from everyday experiences. But for children with sensory issues, these signals can get scrambled, leading to frustration and difficulties in daily life. If you’ve ever wondered why your child reacts strongly to certain situations—like refusing to go down a slide, constantly moving, or melting down over clothing textures—you’re not alone. Many parents feel unsure about what’s typical and what might need further support. The good news? There are ways to help, and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
In this blog, we explore some common sensory issues in kids to help you better understand your child’s behavior and what they may be experiencing. Remember that not all signs and symptoms are seen in any one child, and some are present in children who do not have a sensory integration/processing disorder.
If your child clings to you during activities that involve movement, avoids swings or escalators, or panics when their head is tilted backward, they may be experiencing gravitational insecurity. This means their brain is misinterpreting movement, making them feel unstable even when they are safe. It’s not just fear—it’s a real sensory integration issue rooted in the vestibular system (a sensory system in the inner ear). These particular observable behaviors are manifestations of a hyper-responsive vestibular system, which means your child’s gravity receptors are extra sensitive. Gravitational insecurity causes a child to react to movements in an extreme manner. Your child may become very anxious with these activities because he or she perceives small movements to be larger than they actually are.
Our relationship to gravity is our most important sense of security. A child with gravitational insecurity processes the pull of gravity as threatening, so everyday movement experiences, such as stepping down from a curb or getting into and out of a car, can be scary.
It is important to respect your child’s reactions in various situations, and not treat them as an emotional or behavioral problem, as this will likely just make things worse.
Our Therapist’s Tips for Children with Gravitational Insecurity:
Instead of pressuring them to “just try it,” aim to meet them where they are.
We all know that kids fall down. Bumps, bruises, and scratches are part of childhood as kids explore their environment, trying new things and learning new skills along the way. However, if your child struggles with balance, coordination, or posture, they may have an under-responsive vestibular system. This sensory system controls balance and body awareness, and when it’s not working efficiently, kids may:
The vestibular system is thought to be the primary organizer of sensory information. With a system that acts as it should, the constant pull of gravity generates a constant sensory flow in which all other sensory inputs are superimposed upon. This system is in charge of reacting to every change in head position, and is interdependent on other sensory systems to give us an idea of where our body is in relation to space.
While problems with vestibular processing can be very subtle, they can have a large negative impact on learning. Your child might be very smart, yet still has difficulty with schoolwork. The reason your child experiences difficulties with writing or other academic learning is because higher-level brain functions rely on the proper processing from movement and gravity.
Our Therapist’s Tips for Children with an Under-Responsive Vestibular System:
Does your child avoid hugs, hate getting their hands messy, or refuse certain clothes? They may have tactile defensiveness, which means their brain processes touch as a threat rather than a neutral sensation. This isn’t necessarily a behavior issue — your child may be experiencing a decreased ability to modulate sensations coming in from the environment. Tactile sensations come in as sensations derived from stimulation to the skin. For some kids, an unexpected light touch can elicit a flight-or-flight reaction. This is known as tactile defensiveness, meaning that a child has a pattern of negative emotional responses to certain types of tactile stimuli.
While most kids would not consider, for example, the tag of their shirt to be irritating or painful, this touch can actually be perceived as a very real threat to your child’s nervous system. Other things you may have observed in your child is an avoidance of going barefoot, getting their hands or hair washed, and shrugging off hugs and kisses. He or she may even be having trouble playing with other children due to their overly sensitive tactile system.
Our Therapist’s Tips for Children with Tactile Sensory Issues:
Luckily, there are simple things you can do at home to help your child process incoming tactile sensations more appropriately. Interestingly, deep pressure is the type of enhanced tactile sensation most commonly recommended for decreasing tactile defensiveness in toddlers and children. So for example, if your child is experiencing sensory issues with hair washing (he/she hates having his/her hair cut or washed), try giving a deep pressure scalp massage beforehand. This type of pressure touch is less threatening than a light touch and should have a modulating effect that will last through cutting or washing.
The most important thing you can do is acknowledge that your child’s problem is real and not just ‘poor behavior.’
While it’s very possible that your child may have ‘selective hearing’ at times, it’s also possible that some of this behavior you’re seeing is due to problems with auditory processing. Some kids struggle to process auditory input, which may manifest as:
If your child often seems lost in their own world or reacts dramatically to sound, they may have auditory sensory processing challenges.
Our Therapist’s Tips for Children with Auditory Sensory Issues:
It has been found that the auditory system and vestibular system are closely linked, thus many children with speech and language problems often show signs of inefficient vestibular processing. The best way to help your child with auditory processing difficulties is to build the sensorimotor foundations needed so this process to develop optimally. By fostering your child’s lower level processes so they can become more efficient, you will aid the development of higher-level cognitive functions, like speech and language.
Every child is unique, and sensory challenges don’t have to hold them back. If any of these signs resonate with you, a pediatric occupational therapist can help assess your child’s sensory processing and provide personalized strategies. At NAPA Center, we specialize in helping kids with sensory issues thrive. Our team offers individualized therapy programs designed to meet each child’s needs.
NAPA Center is a global leader in pediatric therapy, with multiple clinics located throughout the US, Australia, and the UK. Interested in bringing your child to NAPA for weekly or intensive therapy? Book a free phone screening today to see how NAPA’s multidisciplinary team of physical, occupational, and speech therapists can help support your child.
Lisa is a passionate pediatric occupational therapist at NAPA Center Denver and serves as NAPA’s Global Director of Rehabilitation. Outside of NAPA, you’ll find her embracing the outdoors, hiking scenic trails with her family, and discovering all the beauty Colorado has to offer.
