Signs of Sensory Processing Difficulties
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, NIH, CDC guidelines
Last reviewed:
Behavioral development varies greatly from child to child. If you have noticed signs of sensory processing difficulties, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Sensory processing differences affect how a child's brain interprets sensory information from their environment and body. Signs include over-sensitivity (avoiding sounds, textures, or lights), under-sensitivity (seeking intense sensory input), or a combination. If sensory differences significantly affect your child's daily life, eating, playing, or social participation, an occupational therapy evaluation can help.
Key takeaways
- Sensory processing differences affect how a child's brain interprets sensory information from their environment and body. Signs include over-sensitivity (avoiding sounds, textures, or lights), under-sensitivity (seeking intense sensory input), or a combination. If sensory differences significantly affect your child's daily life, eating, playing, or social participation, an occupational therapy evaluation can help.
- Usually normal when: Your toddler has some sensory preferences but can function well in daily activities
- Call your doctor if: Your child's sensory difficulties are worsening and increasingly limiting their daily life
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, NIH, CDC guidelines, sensory processing differences affect how a child's brain interprets sensory information from their environment and body. Signs include over-sensitivity (avoiding sounds, textures, or lights), under-sensitivity (seeking intense sensory input), or a combination. If sensory differences significantly affect your child's daily life, eating, playing, or social participation, an occupational therapy evaluation can help. At 0-12 months, some babies show early sensory sensitivities like startle responses, feeding difficulties, or discomfort with certain textures. These may resolve or become clearer as the child develops. It is generally considered normal when your toddler has some sensory preferences but can function well in daily activities. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child's sensory difficulties are worsening and increasingly limiting their daily life.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-12 months
Some babies show early sensory sensitivities like startle responses, feeding difficulties, or discomfort with certain textures. These may resolve or become clearer as the child develops.
12-24 months
Sensory preferences and sensitivities become more apparent. Toddlers may refuse certain foods, dislike having their hair washed, or seek intense physical play. Some variation is normal.
24-36 months
Sensory processing differences become more identifiable. If your child has significant difficulty with multiple sensory experiences that affect daily functioning, an occupational therapy evaluation is recommended.
3-4 years
Sensory processing difficulties can affect preschool participation, peer interaction, and self-care tasks. An OT can create a sensory diet with activities designed to help your child regulate their sensory system.
4-5 years
Before school entry, addressing sensory processing needs helps with classroom participation, attention, and behavior. Many children make significant progress with occupational therapy support.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed signs of sensory processing difficulties and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if sensory differences significantly affect your child's eating, sleeping, playing, or social participation.
- Mention if your child has both extreme avoidance of some sensory inputs and intense seeking of others.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your toddler has some sensory preferences but can function well in daily activities
- Your toddler avoids some textures or sounds but is not significantly limited
- Your toddler is active and seeks physical play as part of normal development
- Your toddler has mild sensory sensitivities that are manageable
- Sensory differences significantly affect your child's eating, sleeping, playing, or social participation
- Your child has both extreme avoidance of some sensory inputs and intense seeking of others
- Sensory processing concerns are combined with other developmental differences
- Your child's sensory difficulties are worsening and increasingly limiting their daily life
- Severe sensory processing differences are causing distress, self-injury, or complete avoidance of necessary activities
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice signs of sensory processing difficulties — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your toddler has some sensory preferences but can function well in daily activities — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-12 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Respond consistently and calmly to your baby's behavior. Maintain predictable daily routines.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your child's sensory difficulties are worsening and increasingly limiting their daily life.
Related Conditions
Toddler Shows Sensory Seeking Patterns
Sensory seeking means a child actively craves extra sensory input through activities like spinning, crashing, mouthing objects, touching everything, or making loud sounds. Some sensory seeking is normal in active toddlers. It becomes a concern when it is so intense that it interferes with daily activities, safety, or learning. An occupational therapist can evaluate sensory processing and recommend strategies.
Toddler Avoids Certain Sensory Experiences
Sensory avoiding means a child is overly sensitive to certain sensory inputs and actively avoids them. This may include refusing to touch certain textures, covering ears at sounds others tolerate, avoiding bright lights, or refusing messy play. Some sensitivity is normal in toddlers, but when avoidance significantly limits participation in daily activities, an occupational therapy evaluation can help.
Toddler Both Seeks and Avoids Sensory Input
Many children with sensory processing differences show a mixed profile, seeking intense input in some senses while avoiding input in others. A child might crave spinning and crashing (vestibular and proprioceptive seeking) while being extremely sensitive to sounds and textures (auditory and tactile avoiding). This mixed profile is common and an occupational therapist can create a comprehensive sensory plan.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is signs of sensory processing difficulties normal?
When should I call the doctor about signs of sensory processing difficulties?
When is signs of sensory processing difficulties normal?
What causes signs of sensory processing difficulties?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about signs of sensory processing difficulties?
Is signs of sensory processing difficulties normal at 0-12 months?
Is signs of sensory processing difficulties normal at 12-24 months?
Should I go to the ER for signs of sensory processing difficulties?
Does signs of sensory processing difficulties go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Signs of Sensory Processing Difficulties.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed signs of sensory processing difficulties and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if sensory differences significantly affect your child's eating, sleeping, playing, or social participation.
- Mention if your child has both extreme avoidance of some sensory inputs and intense seeking of others.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Sensory differences significantly affect your child's eating, sleeping, playing, or social participation
- Your child has both extreme avoidance of some sensory inputs and intense seeking of others
- Sensory processing concerns are combined with other developmental differences
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your child's sensory difficulties are worsening and increasingly limiting their daily life
- Severe sensory processing differences are causing distress, self-injury, or complete avoidance of necessary activities
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of signs of sensory processing difficulties are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child's sensory difficulties are worsening and increasingly limiting their daily life.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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Related Behavior Concerns
Toddler Shows Sensory Seeking Patterns
Sensory seeking means a child actively craves extra sensory input through activities like spinning, crashing, mouthing objects, touching everything, or making loud sounds. Some sensory seeking is normal in active toddlers. It becomes a concern when it is so intense that it interferes with daily activities, safety, or learning. An occupational therapist can evaluate sensory processing and recommend strategies.
Toddler Avoids Certain Sensory Experiences
Sensory avoiding means a child is overly sensitive to certain sensory inputs and actively avoids them. This may include refusing to touch certain textures, covering ears at sounds others tolerate, avoiding bright lights, or refusing messy play. Some sensitivity is normal in toddlers, but when avoidance significantly limits participation in daily activities, an occupational therapy evaluation can help.
Toddler Both Seeks and Avoids Sensory Input
Many children with sensory processing differences show a mixed profile, seeking intense input in some senses while avoiding input in others. A child might crave spinning and crashing (vestibular and proprioceptive seeking) while being extremely sensitive to sounds and textures (auditory and tactile avoiding). This mixed profile is common and an occupational therapist can create a comprehensive sensory plan.
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