A Guide to Meeting Your Child’s Sensory Needs

Ever notice how your child covers their ears when the blender’s on, avoids wearing certain clothes, or just can’t seem to sit still? Maybe they chew on their shirt sleeves, spin in circles for fun, or melt down in noisy grocery stores.

If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and neither is your child.

For many kids, especially those who are autistic or have ADHD, the way they experience the world through their senses is a little different. Sounds can feel way too loud, lights might be painfully bright, or tags on a shirt might feel like sandpaper. Other kids might need more sensory input—they crave movement, deep pressure, or strong tastes just to feel grounded.

These are called sensory processing differences, and while they can be challenging, they’re not flaws. They’re simply part of how your child experiences the world. And the great news? Occupational therapy (OT) can help.

What Is Sensory Processing, Anyway?

In simple terms, sensory processing is how our brains understand information from our senses. This includes stimuli such as:

Sound (like music or people talking)
Touch (textures, clothing, hugs)
Smell and taste (foods, scents)
Balance and movement (spinning, jumping)
Body awareness (knowing where your arms and legs are)
Internal feelings (like hunger or needing to go to the bathroom)

Some kids demonstrate more or less sensitivity than others in the way they respond to certain stimuli. Kids who have a lower threshold for sensory input may cover their ears when they hear another child cry, refuse certain foods or textures, close their eyes in bright or busy environments, or refuse to wear socks.

Under-responsive kids might seek out more sensory input. They may spin, crash, jump, chew on things like pencils or shirt collars, not notice pain, temperature, or messiness, and crave very loud sounds or strong tastes.

Noticing these behaviors can leave some parents feeling unsure about what’s going on. Because so many factors can be involved, connecting with an occupational therapist can be a good first step to understanding sensory needs and learning ways to support your child.

So…How Does Occupational Therapy Help?

At WeDiverge Pediatric Occupational Therapy, we take a neurodiversity-affirming approach to OT. That means we’re not in the mindset to “fix.” Your child, like every child, is a unique human being with their own way of experiencing the world. Instead, we offer individualized support that meets your child where they are. We can help you understand your child’s sensory world and give them tools to feel safe, confident, and happy in their home and school environment.

Some things we might work on together include:

✅ Figuring out what kinds of sensory input your child needs (and what overwhelms them)

✅ Helping your child recognize and express how they’re feeling, resulting to less dysregulation

✅ Building a “sensory toolkit” with things like headphones, fidgets, or movement breaks

✅ Making everyday tasks—like brushing teeth or trying new foods—less stressful

A Few Go-To Strategies We Love

For kids who are sensitive to sounds: Try noise-canceling headphones or creating a “quiet zone” at

home.

For movement seekers: Use trampolines, swings, or weighted blankets to help them regulate.

For kids who engage in “picky eating”: Play with food—no pressure to eat, just explore!

For kids who have a hard time with transitions: Visual schedules can help ease into changes.

When Should You Consider OT?

If your child regularly…

Cries for no clear reason and has meltdowns at home and in public.
Hates brushing teeth, haircuts, or certain clothes
Seems constantly “on the go” or can’t sit still
Gets distracted easily
Avoids or craves certain sensations in a way that affects their day-to-day life

…then occupational therapy might be a great fit.

Why We Do Things Differently at WeDiverge

We believe:

Sensory differences are human differences—not disorders. Like every other human being, there are things we can do to support our sensory needs, and same goes for our kids!
Kids should never be pushed into things that feel overwhelming for the purpose of desensitization. This approach causes further stress and may eventually result to trauma.
Our job is to help kids feel confident, not to make them conform. We may not always realize it, but many of these “non-conforming” behaviors actually help children regulate. Movement can make them feel more comfortable. Biting their fingers might ease their anxiety. While there are other ways we can support regulation, the important shift is moving away from “stopping” behaviors and instead helping children find safe, supportive ways to meet their needs.

What about Unsafe Behaviors?

When a child’s response to sensory input creates safety concerns, we focus on supportive strategies that meet their needs while helping them stay safe and regulated. For example, if a child picks at their skin, we might work on identifying underlying triggers and offer safer sensory alternatives.

Let’s Chat

We’re here to work with your family to build an environment that feels safe and supportive for your child, at home, at school, and everywhere in between.

If you need an occupational therapist for children in Spring Branch, Houston, Westchase, and Pearland, Texas, feel free to reach out and we’d be happy to answer any of your questions!