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Sensory Processing Differences in Autism: By D.Dunnage - Coggle Diagram
Sensory Processing Differences in Autism:
By D.Dunnage
Visual (Sight)
Hypersensitivity (Over-responsive)
Behaviours
Difficulty focusing,
Anxiety in busy spaces
Seeks darkness
Covers eyes
Avoids eye contact
Bright lights, flickering screens, or cluttered environments may cause discomfort or distress
Supports
Use soft lighting
sunglasses
visual schedules
Hyposensitivity (Under-responsive): Sensory seeking behaviours
May not notice visual cues or danger;
Drawn to bright or flashing lights
Auditory (hearing)
Hypersensitive
Behaviours
Covers ears
Meltdowns in noisy places
Communication challenges,
Loud or unexpected sounds can be painful or overwhelming
Supports
Written instructions
Quiet zones
Noise-canceling headphones
Hyposensitive behaviours
May not respond to verbal cues or name being called
Screams, hums
Ignores spoken instructions
Tactile (Touch)
Hyposensitivity
Craves strong tactile input
Seeks deep pressure
Supports
Deep pressure opportunities
Sensory-friendly clothing
Weighted blankets/cushions
Often accompanied by social misunderstandings in relation to proximity and contac
May not register/high tolerance pain or temperature
Hypersensitivity
Avoids hugs, refuses certain clothes
Hygiene issues
often accompanied by social misunderstandings in relation to proximity and contact
Light touch may feel painful
Certain textures (clothing, food) are intolerable
Olfactory (Smell)
Hypersensitivity
Strong smells (perfume, food, chemicals) may be overwhelming or nauseating
aversion to environments
Supports
Scent-free areas
Unscented products
olfactory desensitization
Eating difficulties
Gags at smells
Hyposensitivity
May seek out unusual smells
Sniffs objects
Supports
Fragrance boxes
Access to a sensory garden with natural scents
Gustatory (Taste)
Hypersensitivity: Carry nutritional concerns
May reject many foods
Picky eating
Supports
Dietitian support
Food chaining
Oral desensitivisation approaches - gradual exposure
Gagging
Sensitive to taste and texture
Hyposensitivity: Carry nutritional concerns and oral health risks
Chew non-food items
May prefer strong flavors
Mouthing objects
Supports
Oral sensory tools
Sensory diet - use edible objects
Vestibular (Balance & Movement)
Hypersensitivity
Behaviours (Sensitive to motion)
May avoid swings
Avoids escalators
Avoids fast movement
Gets dizzy easily
Avoids playground equipment
Supports
The chunking of physical activities
Use of clear criteria for when the activity is finished
Hyposensitivity
Behaviours
Difficulty sitting still
Seeks movement; enjoys spinning, jumping, or rocking
Constantly moving
Supports
Balance activities
Movement breaks
Proprioception (Body Awareness)
Hypersensitivity
May feel awkward or uncomfortable with certain movements
Supports
Reducing the need to touch- fine motor activities
Softer pencils eg 8B
'light' writing
Difficulty with smaller manipulations
Avoiding crossing the middle line and will turn have to turn the body
Hyposensitive
May bump into things, press too hard, or seek heavy work
Clumsy, rough play, poor posture and coordination issues between body parts and senses
Supports
Resistance bands
Heavy work activities
Body awareness games
Hand along walls when walking
Accidently dropping, breaking things
leaning on people
poor muscle tone
Interoception (Internal Sensations)
Hyposensitivity
Behaviours
Emotional regulation challenges
Toilet needs
Ignores hunger
Wetting, soiling
Difficulty recognising internal cues
Emotions
Fatigue
Thirst
Supports
Body check-ins
Mindfulness
Visual reminders
Hypersensitivity
Behaviour
Associated frequent complaints
Anxiety
Over-awareness of internal state
Hunger
pain
anxiety