Sensory processing is how our bodies receive and process the sensory information it receives (such as what it sees and hears). Sensory processing is something we all do, all day, every day, helping us to make sense of the world around us.
Vision (what we see), auditory (what we hear), tactile (touch), olfactory and gustatory (smell and taste). We also have interoception (what we feel in our body, like hunger, thirst and temperature), vestibular (balance and movement) and proprioception (being able to tell where parts of your body are, even when you are not looking).
We all experience the world differently through our senses. What excites one person, such as riding a rollercoaster or listening to music whilst working, might overwhelm another person who prefers calm and quiet.
And they can change! After a stressful day, a noisy shop might feel unbearable, while on a good day it's no problem at all.
Some people take in a lot of sensory information (over-responsive), which means that might notice detail others might miss. But when there's too much of this sensory information, it can also lead to feelings overwhelmed, anxious or frustrated. Others take in less sensory information (under-responsive) and may actively seek out more visual information, sounds, textures, or movement.
Below are some resources that we hope can explain more about sensory differences, practical strategies and personal experiences.
