Sensory Processing Red Flags: A Parent's Checklist

If you've been wondering whether your child's responses to the world around them are typical, you're not alone. Many parents notice that their child finds certain textures, sounds, or situations much harder to manage than their peers, and don't know whether to be concerned or whether it will resolve on its own. This checklist covers sensory processing red flags across all eight senses.^¹ Ticking several boxes doesn't mean your child has a diagnosis, but it may mean an occupational therapy assessment would help you understand what's happening and what to do.

Touch (Tactile) Sensitivity

The tactile system processes touch, pressure, temperature, and pain.^² Children with tactile differences may over-respond (finding touch aversive) or under-respond (seeking intense tactile input).

Over-responsive / Hypersensitive

• [ ] Distressed by specific clothing textures, seams, or tags, refuses to wear them or becomes highly upset
• [ ] Strong reaction to light, unexpected touch, even from familiar people
• [ ] Avoids getting hands messy (paint, sand, dough, food)
• [ ] Distressed by face wiping, hair washing, or nail cutting
• [ ] Reacts strongly to toothbrushing, only tolerates specific brushes or pastes
• [ ] Cannot tolerate walking barefoot on grass, sand, or uneven surfaces

Under-responsive / Sensory Seeking

• [ ] Needs to touch everything and everyone, including strangers
• [ ] Doesn't notice when hurt or bleeding
• [ ] Seeks firm pressure, demands tight hugs, wraps themselves in blankets
• [ ] Mouths objects, clothing, or hands beyond the typical age for this

Does this sound familiar? Many of the families we work with describe exactly this situation. If you'd like to talk it through, book a free 15-minute call. No pressure, just a conversation.

Sound (Auditory) Sensitivity

The auditory system processes sound volume, frequency, and complexity. Sensory differences here can make everyday environments genuinely overwhelming.

Over-responsive

• [ ] Covers ears in environments others find normal (supermarkets, assemblies, birthday parties)
• [ ] Distressed by sudden or unexpected sounds (hand dryers, alarms, dogs barking)
• [ ] Finds background noise in a classroom or cafe intolerable
• [ ] Upset by specific sounds that others don't notice (ticking clocks, humming appliances)

Under-responsive / Seeking

• [ ] Makes loud noise constantly without seeming aware of the volume
• [ ] Turns the television or music up extremely loud
• [ ] Seems not to notice being spoken to in a normal voice

Sight (Visual) Sensitivity

Visual sensory differences affect how the brain processes light, movement, and visual complexity.

• [ ] Distressed by bright or fluorescent lighting
• [ ] Squints or covers eyes in environments others find comfortable
• [ ] Overwhelmed by visually busy environments (patterned wallpaper, cluttered rooms)
• [ ] Fascinated by lights, spinning objects, or repetitive visual patterns
• [ ] Difficulty making eye contact in busy or visually complex environments

Taste and Smell (Gustatory and Olfactory) Sensitivity

These senses are closely linked. Differences here most commonly show up around food, but can affect many everyday situations.

• [ ] Extremely restricted food range based on texture, smell, temperature, or colour (beyond typical fussy eating)
• [ ] Gags, retches, or vomits at the sight, smell, or texture of certain foods
• [ ] Unable to eat in a room where food they find aversive is present
• [ ] Refuses to enter rooms with specific smells (cleaning products, cooking smells, perfume)
• [ ] Seems not to notice strong smells that others find overwhelming
• [ ] Seeks out strong or unusual flavours and smells

Body Awareness (Proprioception)

Proprioception tells us where our body is in space and how much force we're using. When this sense isn't processing efficiently, children can appear clumsy, heavy-handed, or constantly seeking intense physical input.

• [ ] Bumps into people and objects constantly without noticing
• [ ] Uses too much force, breaks pencils, presses too hard when writing, slams doors
• [ ] Seeks rough physical play, crashing into things or people, bear hugs
• [ ] Difficulty knowing how hard to grip, drops things or grips too tightly
• [ ] Seems unaware of where their body is in space when navigating around furniture or people
• [ ] Chews on clothing, pencils, or objects, oral proprioceptive seeking

Thinking about an assessment? Sensphere offers private paediatric OT assessments from £450, with no GP referral needed. Payment is via Stripe (card payment). Book a free call or view our full pricing.

Movement and Balance (Vestibular)

The vestibular system processes movement through space and is closely linked to balance and body orientation. Differences here affect both physical activity and emotional regulation.

Over-responsive

• [ ] Panics when feet leave the ground, avoids swings, climbing frames, or stairs
• [ ] Distressed by unexpected movement or changes in head position (e.g. head-back for hair washing)
• [ ] Car sickness, lift anxiety, or distress on escalators

Under-responsive / Seeking

• [ ] Spins constantly without appearing to get dizzy
• [ ] Rocks repetitively in chairs or on the floor
• [ ] Craves fast movement, rollercoasters, being upside down
• [ ] Has difficulty sitting still, constantly in motion

Internal Body Signals (Interoception)

Interoception is sometimes called the eighth sense. It tells us what is happening inside our body.^⁴ Differences here affect self-care, emotional regulation, and awareness of basic needs.

• [ ] Doesn't notice hunger or thirst until it becomes urgent or extreme
• [ ] Has frequent toileting accidents because they didn't notice the urge in time
• [ ] Doesn't notice when hurt, ill, or running a temperature
• [ ] Difficulty identifying emotions, can't say why they feel upset or anxious
• [ ] Doesn't notice when too hot or too cold and doesn't adjust clothing accordingly

By Setting

Sensory differences often show up differently depending on the environment. Tick any that apply to your child.

At Home

• [ ] Mealtimes are consistently difficult due to food texture, smell, or proximity to others eating
• [ ] Getting dressed causes significant daily distress, specific clothing, seams, or fabrics
• [ ] Bathtime, hair washing, or toothbrushing is a regular battle
• [ ] Your child has significant difficulty settling to sleep in their environment
• [ ] Family gatherings, noisy events, or unexpected visitors cause high distress

At School

• [ ] Teachers have commented that your child is easily distracted, dysregulated, or has difficulty settling
• [ ] Your child finds assembly overwhelming, covering ears, distress, or avoidance
• [ ] PE or changing for PE causes significant distress
• [ ] Your child comes home exhausted or dysregulated after school consistently
• [ ] The school lunch hall is a source of significant difficulty

In the Community

• [ ] Supermarkets, shopping centres, or busy public places cause distress or meltdowns
• [ ] Birthday parties or other children's social events are regularly overwhelming
• [ ] Haircuts, dentist appointments, or medical checks are significantly harder than for peers
• [ ] Your child avoids or has meltdowns on public transport

What Your Checklist Tells You

Ticking several boxes across different sections does not mean your child has a diagnosis^³, many children have sensory differences that sit outside any diagnostic category. What it does suggest is that your child's nervous system is processing sensory information differently, and that this is affecting their daily life, comfort, and participation.

A paediatric occupational therapist can assess your child's sensory processing profile, identify which systems are involved and in what direction, and provide a clear picture of how these differences affect daily activities. From that assessment, they can recommend specific strategies for home and school, a sensory diet designed for your child's individual profile, and a written report you can share with school or use as evidence for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) application.

You do not need a GP referral to access private occupational therapy. At SENsphere, an initial assessment with written summary starts from £450, with a full assessment and detailed report from £650 to £695. If you are preparing an EHCP application, a formal evidence report pathway is available from £850. Get in touch to discuss your child's needs before committing to an assessment.

References

Related reading

• The full guide to sensory processing differences in children
• What a children's OT assessment involves

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