Sensory Processing Differences
What is it?
Sensory processing differences mean your brain processes sounds, smells, touch, movement, or visuals differently. You might be extra sensitive (hypersensitive) or not as sensitive (hyposensitive) to certain things.
Challenges
Overwhelm from noise, lights, textures, or crowds
Needing to move or fidget a lot
Avoiding certain clothes, foods, or environments
Hard time focusing in certain settings
Gender Differences
Boys might be noticed sooner if they have strong reactions to textures, noises, or lights—especially if they lash out or withdraw quickly.
Girls are more likely to quietly endure discomfort, mask their reactions, or be misread as shy, picky, or anxious.
Non-binary and gender-diverse young people may experience heightened sensory sensitivity from social pressures or dysphoria, which can intensify sensory challenges.
👉 Many kids learn to adapt silently—so it’s important to listen when they say something “feels wrong,” even if they seem to be managing on the outside.
Strengths
Highly intuitive and tuned in to details
Strong creative or artistic abilities
Deep emotional awareness
Can find joy in small sensory experiences
Important: These are patterns, not rules.