Is Your Child a Sensory Seeker or Avoider?

Not all children with sensory processing or sensory integration disorders are clearly a seeker or an avoider. Some children may be a combination of both, and others may change from one type to anther based on their ability to regulate and manage different kinds of sensory stimulation.

A child that is a seeker of sensory input may experience a sensory meltdown or overload in new, crowded, or unfamiliar situations. A child who is generally an avoider of sensory stimulation may find themselves seeking out more input to help them calm. Even if you feel your child is either a seeker or an avoider, it is important to look for changes in their needs and ability to manage what is happening around them.

What’s the Difference Between Seekers & Avoiders?

Very basically, sensory seekers tend to have sensory systems that have a higher threshold level for perception of sensory information. They need more input overall.

Sensory avoiders tend to have lower sensory thresholds, where small things result in a reaction that generally makes them avoid stimulation, and avoid becoming overwhelmed.

You may see hyperactive behaviors in both sensory seekers and sensory avoiders as the one is “running toward the stimulation,” and the other is “running away.” For children that may exhibit both seeking and avoiding behaviors, their “running to, or running away,” may vary from day to day, and situation to situation.

Examples of Sensory Seeking Behaviors:

Some common behaviors seen in sensory seekers include

o   They look for MORE sensory stimulation

o   Difficulty with sitting still, needing to move, fidgets, touch or talk excessively (these behaviors may be misdiagnosed as ADHD)

o   May appear to be too “loud” and have difficulty knowing how loud they are talking, or seeks out loud music or turns the tv up very loud

o   Seem to be constantly playing rough, or “roughhousing” with others

o   May be seen running, spinning in circles, loving the merry-go-round and fast paced rides

o   Seems to enjoy jumping, hopping, running into hard objects, bumping into furniture or people

o   Has a high pain threshold; doesn’t seem to be bothered by cuts, bumps, bruises, pain

o   Tends to stand too close; does not understand personal space, craves “bear hugs,” seems to always want to touch you with their body/hands/feet

o   May like oral motor stimulation that includes chewing on inedible items (toys, clothes, utensils, hard items), or wanting to eat hard crunchy or spicy foods

o   Wants to smell everything, even if they smell bad

o   Sleep issues; poor ability to relax and nap or sleep

o   Seems to walk loudly or heavily, making lots of noise as they go

o   Difficulty knowing their own strength, where they may break their crayons while coloring, break their toys, hurt others

o   Seeking out behaviors may put them into unsafe situations

o   May seek out video games or fast-paced tv shows

Examples of Sensory Avoiding Behaviors

Some common behaviors seen in sensory avoiders include:

o   They may avoid sensory input, leaving area, covering their ears, avoid getting messy at all, looking like they are in pain when they cannot “escape” the overwhelming sensory input

o   May need their toys, food, clothes, set up in certain specific ways

o   Likes a routine in place and changes or variety to that routine may cause a sensory overload

o   Tend to be called a “picky eater”

o   Tend to be very particular about the type of clothes they will tolerate wearing; may be easily irritated by clothing tags or type of fabric; may avoid wearing certain types of shoes and socks; complains that clothing is uncomfortable

o   May be frightened by loud or unexpected noises or bright lights

o   Usually avoids crowded situations and prefers quiet spaces

o   Avoids playing in the sand, or where they may get messy or dirty

o   May avoid baths and showers, or water on their face or head

o   Has a low pain tolerance

o   Dislikes hugs and kisses, being touched by others while playing, or being bumped in to on the playground

o   May avoid swings, slides, and other playground equipment that provides sensory, vestibular, and proprioceptive input

o   Complains about smells or sounds / noises that others may not be able to detect

o   Likes their own personal space and quiet area

What Can You Do to Help Your Child?

There are many ways to help support your seeker and avoider self-regulate and learn to manage and tolerate sensory stimulation through changing situations at home and out in public settings.

As always, consult and plan with your child’s services providers and doctor, to ensure everyone is on the same page, you are receiving any training, instruction, and guidance you need, and so your child has everyone working together!

Click and Go!

Lots of Great Ways to Support Your Child: Check out:

1.  Modifying Sensory Threshold Levels

2.  Water Play

3.  Sensory Boxes

4.  Sensory Blog Spot

5.  Mealtime Blog Spot

6.  5 Types of Fidget Toys

7.  Idea Page

8.  Blog Central

9.  Food Dyes and Behavior

10.TheraPlay4Kids on Facebook

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