Could it be Sensory Needs?
A quick guide for parents
Sensory needs affect how a child processes everyday sights, sounds, touch, taste, smells, movement and more. For some kids, these things feel too much. For others, they’re not enough. It can impact learning, behaviour and wellbeing, especially in busy places like classrooms.
Does your child often…
- Cover their ears or get upset by loud noises or crowded places?
- Avoid certain textures – like scratchy clothes, sand, or messy foods?
- Seek out movement – running, spinning, jumping, or crashing into things?
- Chew on objects like sleeves, pencils or collars?
- Get overwhelmed or meltdown in noisy or bright environments?
- Have a strong dislike of grooming activities like hair washing or brushing teeth?
- Walk on tiptoes, bump into things or appear clumsy?
- Struggle to sit still unless they are moving or fidgeting with something?
- React strongly to smells or be very picky with food textures?
- Find transitions or new situations very hard to cope with?
If you answered YES to 6 or more…
It might be time to speak with your child’s teacher, SENCO or a therapist who understands sensory regulation.
Look for a provider who works with:
🌈 Occupational therapy (OT)
🧠 Sensory processing and regulation
🎓 Learning and classroom support
This checklist is a guide only and not a diagnosis. It is based on research-informed indicators and is designed to help you decide if seeking more support might be helpful.
Check out services who can support:
