Sensory Processing / Sensory Reactivity is the way the nervous system and brain receive, interpret, and respond to stimuli from the five traditional senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch), as well as from the internal senses: the vestibular sense (balance and movement), Proprioception (body awareness in space), and Interoception (sensations from within the body, such as hunger or heart rate).
Differences in Sensory Processing are a core and fundamental characteristic of the autistic experience. The autistic brain processes sensory information differently, often manifesting in two main patterns that can appear in the same person in different situations:
Hyper-reactivity: High and extreme sensitivity to stimuli. This condition can cause everyday sounds (like a vacuum cleaner or air conditioner noise), fluorescent lights, certain smells, or textures of clothes and food to be experienced as unbearably strong, painful, and overwhelming. This Sensory Overload is a major cause of stress, burnout, and Meltdowns.
Hypo-reactivity: Hyposensitivity to sensory stimuli. This condition can manifest as a lack of response to pain or extreme temperatures, or alternatively, an increased need for active sensory seeking, such as a desire for deep and strong touch, constant movement, or an attraction to certain sounds and lights.
While in the past the medical model referred to this as merely a behavioral problem, it is now clear that sensory differences directly affect daily functioning and the ability to be in crowded public, educational, or occupational environments. Adapting the physical environment and reducing sensory loads are essential to enable autistic people to participate, concentrate, and maintain their mental and physical well-being.
