Why do Some People Require More Sensory Input?

We all respond to sensory information differently. Maybe you find loud music overwhelming or can’t stand the feeling of wool sweaters. Sensory processing differences are common in people with autism, as well as those with anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other emotional/behavioral issues.

In fact, as many as 1 in 3 people has a sensory processing difference. These differences affect how individuals react to sensory input.

Some are hypersensitive and feel overwhelmed or experience extreme discomfort when encountering loud noises, bright lights, strong smells, crowds and other sensory input. To calm their bodies and regulate their emotions, they likely feel the need to remove themselves from the sensory input. That can make ordinary experiences, like going to the dentist, getting a haircut or attending a sporting event, very challenging.

People with sensory differences are also hyposensitive, or under-responsive, so they crave more sensory input. The Child Mind Institute states, “Children who are hyposensitive crave input; they love jumping, bumping and crashing activities as well as deep pressure such as that provided by tight bear hugs.”

Understanding Sensory Thresholds: The Water Bucket Analogy

Fraser Sensory Supports and Training Manager Gina Brady uses a water bucket as an example to better illustrate sensory processing differences.

“Everyone has a different ‘sensory bucket’ — a metaphorical container that fills up or empties, based on how much sensory input they receive and how they process it,” says Gina.

Some people have small buckets that overflow easily. They become overwhelmed quickly by too much sound, touch, movement or other input. Others have large buckets and need more sensory input to feel just right.

Some start the day with their buckets already half-full because they’re tired, anxious or overstimulated from a previous experience. People who are hyposensitive often have buckets that seem too empty, so their bodies seek input to help “fill the bucket” and feel grounded and alert.

How people experience hyposensitivity

Sensory seekers may be hyposensitive in one or more of the following areas:

Proprioception

Your sense of proprioception controls things like motor skills and posture. People with hyposensitivity may bump into things, grip pencils too tightly or loosely or crave deep pressure through hugs or body weight.

Vestibular

Your vestibular sense tells your body where it is in relation to other things. It’s activated when you change body positions, and it helps you with balance and coordination. For hyposensitive people, they constantly seek movement like spinning, rocking, or jumping. They may seem fearless when climbing or taking risks. 

Interoception

Interoception is your body signaling essential needs, like feeling hungry or needing to go to the bathroom. Other interoceptive processes are your breathing rate, heart rate and blood pressure. People who require more sensory input may not realize they're hungry, thirsty or need the bathroom, until it’s urgent. They also might not notice how full they are, or whether they’re too hot or cold.

Visual

Sensory-seeking people may seek out bright lights, stare at spinning objects or prefer fast-paced visual input.

Auditory/hearing

Individuals who need more sensory input might enjoy loud music or make frequent vocalizations, like talking loudly, to create more sound.

Tactile/touch

Sensory seekers may constantly touch certain objects or textures, or not notice pain from injuries like cuts or bruises.

They could also have hyposensitivity in some areas and hypersensitivity in others. Within the same sense — like hearing — an individual could also have hyposensitivity AND hypersensitivity. So, they might seek out certain types of sound input, like lower frequencies, while experiencing others as too intense, like high frequencies.

They might engage in stimming

People with autism sometimes engage in stimming, which is a repetitive behavior that helps them regulate their bodies. Stimming can also be helpful for sensory seekers. It’s a movement like rocking back and forth, swaying your hips from side to side or flapping your hands. While stimming can look odd to outsiders, there is nothing wrong with doing it, as long as an individual isn’t harming themselves or others. If you notice someone stimming, give them space and ignore it.

Weighted clothing or items can help

Weighted clothing or lap pads apply deep pressure across the body to mimic a firm hug, a gentle squeeze or a soothing touch. This activates your rest and digest response and prevents your fight, flight or freeze response. The proprioceptive input feels calming and grounding and can improve focus, attention and reduce feelings of anxiety.

Weighted clothing is usually worn over other clothing. Some weighted clothing has removable weighted pouches, so the weight can be adjusted to each individual. The recommended amount of weight is 5-10% of a person’s body weight. So, a 150-pound person could use anywhere from 7.5 to 15 pounds of weight.

Compression clothing may help, too

Compression clothing, including snug-fitting shirts, pants, or socks, applies constant and evenly distributed pressure to the body's muscles and joints. It provides a calming effect, similar to weighted clothing. Compression clothing provides a uniform amount of pressure across the entire surface of the body underneath the fabric. In contrast, weighted clothing provides downward pressure, depending on how the weights are distributed.

Compression clothing can also help with sensitivity to fabric textures. For example, a Lycra-based long-sleeve shirt can be worn under a polyester uniform shirt to prevent the irritating fabric from touching the person’s skin. Deep pressure effects will wear off once the body is used to the input — after about 20 minutes — but the compression clothing will continue to provide a barrier to an irritating fabric. Compression clothing can support muscles and joints, which helps with posture. This can benefit children who struggle with core stability and need assistance to maintain proper posture.

Seating options for people who crave movement

Sitting still can be difficult for people who require more sensory input. Alternate seating can help them focus by allowing more movement while remaining seated. Seating options include exercise balls, wiggle cushions or bean bag chairs.

Wiggle cushions often have tactile bumps that provide needed sensory input. The lean and learn wedge also “gently tilts the hips, pelvis and spine forward to place children in a more active seating position to allow for wiggling, which increases focus.” These can be placed on a chair, the floor or other surfaces.  Wiggle cushions can be used at school, home or in the community.

Chewy jewelry and gum provide more tactile input

People who seek more intense sensory input might find chewing on harder things soothing. Luckily, there are now a variety of chewy necklaces and bracelets made from food-grade silicone. This jewelry offers a safe alternative to other objects and is also a good option when someone isn’t at home. You can purchase a chewy necklace, along with a number of other sensory items, in a Fraser Sensory Kit. Sensory seekers who need this input can also chew gum, eat chewy or crunchy foods or drink thick liquids, like a milkshake, smoothie or applesauce, through a thin straw.

Everyone benefits from understanding and supporting their sensory needs. When a person rocks, spins, or chews on a necklace, they’re not being disruptive — they’re doing what they need to feel regulated and focused.

The more we accommodate sensory differences, by providing tools like chewy jewelry or compression shirts or simply allowing movement and breaks, the more we create inclusive spaces where everyone can succeed.

Want to attend a sensory-friendly event? Join us at the Fraser Festival, presented by Central Roofing Company on Sat., May 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Saint Paul RiverCentre in downtown St. Paul.

It’s a sensory-friendly, community event, created for people with sensory processing differences. It’s both a celebration of neurodiversity and a judgment-free zone for people of all ages, abilities, neurodiversities, cultures and backgrounds to be themselves and have fun. And it’s free.