Through a Sensory Lens: How Sensory Processing Differences Affect Children’s Daily Lives

By Sensory Integration Education, 9 February 2026

A child with headphone on. Title reads How Sensory Processing Impacts Individuals

Sensory processing plays a vital role in how children experience the world around them, influencing how they move, learn, socialise, and cope with everyday demands. During Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, it is especially important to recognise the close link between sensory processing differences and children’s mental health and wellbeing.

When a child struggles to process sensory information effectively, everyday situations can become overwhelming, impacting their emotional regulation, confidence, and ability to participate fully in daily life. This blog explores what sensory processing differences are, how they may present, and why understanding them is essential to supporting children to thrive.

Sensory processing holds significance in our daily activities, encompassing essential tasks like dressing, eating, moving, socialising, learning, and working. Everyone experiences variations in sensory processing, but for some individuals, these distinctions can pose difficulties in engaging in everyday tasks. When sensory processing differences affects you or your child's ability to manage and comprehend sensory information necessary for participating in daily activities, we describe these obstacles as sensory processing differences. Such challenges can influence your child's or teenager's preferences in how they spend their time and what activities they feel capable of pursuing on a daily basis.

Here we highlight a few examples of how sensory processing differences present themselves:

Experience noise more intensely than others - Individuals may cover their ears, experience heightened sensitivity, or have strong reactions to loud or sudden noises, such as a hand dryer. This can lead to crying, anxiety, or a desire to escape the noise.

Avoid certain textures - Some children may resist touching or wearing specific fabrics, avoid anything that is messy, or any tactile touch.

Strong clothing preferences - Others might exhibit extreme sensitivity to certain clothing labels, seams, or textures, causing discomfort or irritation. They may have particular clothing preferences or refuse to wear specific items such as socks.

Selective eating – Children can have significant aversions to certain textures, smells, or tastes of food, resulting in a limited diet consisting of a narrow range of preferred foods.

Intolerance to bright lights - Some children may squint, shield their eyes, or steer clear of bright lights. They might prefer dimly lit environments or choose to wear sunglasses indoors.

Feeling overwhelmed in crowded places - A child can experience anxiety, irritability, or feeling overwhelmed in busy or crowded environments, such as shopping centres, social occasions, or school assemblies. Using public transportation might be challenging for the same reason.

Difficulty with transitions - Individuals might struggle with transitioning from one activity or place to another, experiencing upset emotions, resistance, or disorientation during these transitions.

Sensory seeking behaviours - Someone may exhibit constant seeking of sensory input through activities like touching, jumping, spinning, or crashing into objects. They may find it challenging to remain still or engage in quiet activities.

Poor balance and coordination - An individual might struggle with balance, coordination and spatial awareness, resulting in clumsiness, frequent falls or unintentional collisions with objects.

Challenges with planning and organising - Children may encounter difficulties generating ideas or plans, making even simple tasks challenging to organise.

This is not an exhaustive list but it will help to broaden your understanding of how sensory processing differences can impact everyday activities.

Sensory processing challenges are more prevalent than you might expect given that they can be associated with various diagnoses such as autism, ADHD, OCD, genetic syndromes, learning disabilities, or can even exist independently. A study conducted in 2009 revealed that approximately one in six children struggle with sensory processing differences which significantly impact their ability to learn and thrive in a school environment.

Additional research also affirmed that sensory processing differences are notably widespread among autistic individuals, children requiring special education, and those diagnosed with ADHD.

Let's take a look at some of the possible impacts sensory processing differences can have on a child's daily life:

Emotions: Children facing sensory processing differences may struggle with emotional regulation. Specific sensory stimuli can overwhelm them, resulting in heightened anxiety, irritability, or a tendency to withdraw. It's crucial to identify these triggers to empower the child in managing their reactions effectively.

Learning and development: A child's capacity to learn and develop is significantly influenced by sensory processing. When children feel at ease and focused, they become more engaged in educational activities, enhancing their ability to acquire new skills. Conversely, sensory processing challenges can hinder their focus and ability to engage in optimal learning states.

Social interaction: Sensory processing differences can impact a child's interactions within a social context. For instance, a child sensitive to touch may avoid physical contact, affecting their relationships with peers and family members. Recognising and addressing these sensory needs can facilitate improved social connections.

Physical abilities: Sensory processing difficulties can impact a child's physical abilities. For example, those dealing with vestibular and proprioception challenges may experience difficulties with coordination and balance.

Mental health: Sensory processing differences may also influence a child's mental health. Frequent sensory overload can contribute to heightened anxiety or depression. Supporting children in managing their sensory experiences can positively impact their emotional well-being.

Self-esteem and confidence: Children contending with sensory processing difficulties may grapple with feelings of being different or isolated, impacting their self-esteem and confidence levels. Acknowledging their sensory needs and providing appropriate support can help boost their self-esteem and cultivate a positive self-image.

You may find our "Day in the Life of" Living with Sensory Differences case studies useful. These illustrate across the lifespan how individuals such as 4-year-old Lara, 10-year-old Ben and 16-year-old Rose living with sensory differences may find those differences impacting their daily lives. It's important to emphasise here that we all have a unique sensory processing profile and everyone has sensory needs.

What can I as a professional do to support my clients or students with sensory integration?

We are all individuals, and so everybody's sensory processing will be different. Therefore, the best place to start is through educating yourself and growing your awareness of sensory processing so you can keep an eye out for it with your students or clients.

Here are some useful resources to get you started:


If you work in the education sector, visit our Sensory Inclusive Schools site: