When Everyday Sensations Feel Too Much
Some children are much more bothered by everyday sights, sounds, touches or textures than others.
A child might cover their ears when someone uses a hand dryer, refuse to wear a particular T-shirt, or become very upset when their hair is brushed. What looks like a small thing to someone else can feel very uncomfortable to them.
You may start noticing these reactions during getting dressed, mealtimes, bath time, play, or when you're out somewhere busy.
What Parents May Notice
Covers their ears or gets upset at loud or sudden sounds, like a hand dryer, mixer or vacuum cleaner
Refuses certain clothes, or complains about tags, seams or particular fabrics
Gets very upset during hair brushing, hair washing, nail cutting or face washing
Avoids messy play, such as sand, paint, glue or sticky textures on their hands
Accepts only a small range of foods because of how they feel in the mouth
Pulls away from light or unexpected touch, even from familiar people
Becomes overwhelmed, clingy or wants to leave busy, noisy or brightly lit places
How We Help
We spend time understanding what your child is reacting to and when these difficulties tend to come up.
Occupational therapy can help children who find certain sensory experiences difficult. Depending on what we find, therapy may include sensory-based activities and practical strategies to help your child manage situations that currently feel overwhelming.
We can also work with parents on simple ways to handle difficult moments at home and make everyday routines less of a battle.