Have you noticed how your child reacts to different things around them? Some kids love loud music and spinning. Others cover their ears when they hear a vacuum cleaner or won’t walk on sand. These reactions are all part of something called sensory regulation – and it’s really important for your child’s growth.

Understanding sensory regulation can help you support your child better. It can also help you know when you might need professional help.

What Is Sensory Regulation?

Sensory regulation is how your child takes in information from the world around them and responds to it. Think of it like this: your child’s nervous system gets messages from their senses, processes those messages, and then decides how to react.

When sensory regulation works well, kids can focus on learning and playing. They can ignore things they don’t need to pay attention to (like background noise) and focus on what’s important (like their teacher talking). They can also react the right way for each situation.

Studies show that about 5-16% of children have sensory processing problems that make daily life harder. According to the Australian Institute of Family Studies, these differences in how children filter, process and perceive sensory information are particularly common in neurodivergent children. But many more kids have sensory preferences that are totally normal.

The Eight Senses: Yes, There Are Eight!

Most people know about five senses, but there are actually eight that help your child understand their world:

The Five You Know:

  • Sight: What we see
  • Hearing: Sounds around us
  • Touch: How things feel on our skin
  • Smell: Different scents
  • Taste: How food tastes

Three You Might Not Know:

  • Balance (Vestibular): Helps us stay balanced and know when we’re moving
  • Body Awareness (Proprioceptive): Tells us where our body parts are
  • Internal Feelings (Interoceptive): Helps us know when we’re hungry, need the bathroom, or feel different emotions

When these systems don’t work well together, it can make sensory regulation harder for your child.

Signs Your Child Might Have Sensory Challenges

All kids have things they like and don’t like. But some signs might mean sensory challenges are making life harder. The Raising Children Network, Australia’s national parenting website, notes that up to 1 in 6 children may experience sensory processing difficulties that affect their daily activities.

Kids Who Avoid Sensory Input:

  • Cover their ears a lot or get upset by normal sounds
  • Won’t wear certain clothes because of how they feel
  • Don’t like messy activities like finger painting
  • Get overwhelmed in busy places like stores
  • Don’t like being touched unexpectedly
  • Avoid swings, slides, or other moving activities

Kids Who Seek More Sensory Input:

  • Always moving, jumping, or spinning
  • Crash into furniture or other kids
  • Don’t notice when their hands or face are dirty
  • Seem not to hear you (but their hearing is fine)
  • Don’t seem to feel pain like other kids
  • Can’t sit still or pay attention

Mixed Reactions: Some kids want certain types of sensory input but avoid others. A child might love tight hugs but hate having their hair brushed.

How Sensory Regulation Affects Your Child's Growth

Good sensory regulation helps kids with many things:

Learning: Kids who can handle sensory input can focus better in school and during homework.

Moving: Sensory regulation helps with both small movements (like writing) and big movements (like riding a bike).

Making Friends: Kids with good sensory regulation can join in activities better and have fewer meltdowns.

Daily Tasks: Things like getting dressed, eating, and brushing teeth all need good sensory processing.

Managing Feelings: How we process sensory information is connected to how we handle emotions. The Student Wellbeing Hub explains that interoception (knowing what’s happening inside our body) plays a key role in self-regulation and emotional development.

Simple Ways to Help Your Child at Home

You can do many things at home to help your child with sensory regulation. The NSW Department of Education’s comprehensive guide provides evidence-based strategies that work both at school and home:

Make Your Home Sensory-Friendly:

  • Create quiet spaces for when your child feels overwhelmed
  • Use softer lighting instead of bright lights
  • Keep noise-canceling headphones handy
  • Have fidget toys available

Create Daily Routines:

  • Start the day with physical activities like jumping
  • Include calm activities before bedtime
  • Take movement breaks during homework time

Let Your Child Explore:

  • Offer different textures during play (play dough, rice, water)
  • Let kids explore new things at their own speed
  • Tell them ahead of time about activities that might be challenging

Watch for Your Child’s Needs:

  • Learn the early signs when your child is getting overwhelmed
  • Have a plan for breaks when you’re out
  • Believe your child when they say something bothers them

When to Get Professional Help

Many sensory preferences are normal. But think about getting help if sensory challenges:

  • Make daily activities like eating or sleeping really hard
  • Stop your child from joining school or social activities
  • Cause frequent meltdowns
  • Make life difficult for your whole family
  • Don’t get better when you make simple changes at home

The NDIS evidence review shows that sensory-based interventions, particularly Ayres Sensory Integration Therapy, can be effective when delivered by qualified occupational therapists.

How LEAP Centre Helps with Sensory Regulation

At LEAP Centre, we understand that sensory regulation affects everything about a child’s growth. Our occupational therapists work holistically to give the best support.

Our sensory integration therapy happens in our sensory gym. This safe space lets kids explore and build better sensory skills while having fun. We use proven methods to help children while making therapy enjoyable.

Whether your child needs help with sensory challenges or you want to understand their needs better, our team gives thorough assessments and plans made just for each child and family.

Why Getting Help Early Matters

Research shows that getting help early for sensory challenges leads to better results. The Queensland Government’s research on supporting students with sensory processing challenges shows that evidence-based interventions and environmental modifications can make a significant difference. The sooner kids get the right support, the better they can learn ways to cope and build important skills.

If you’re worried about your child’s sensory regulation, don’t wait to get help. Many sensory challenges that seem big to families can be helped with the right support.

Ready to Support Your Child's Sensory Journey?

If you recognise signs that your child might be struggling with sensory processing, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

At LEAP Centre, our experienced occupational therapists provide comprehensive assessments and personalised sensory integration therapy in our specialised sensory gym.

Take the next step:

  • Call (02) 9072 9165 for a friendly chat
  • Book an assessment to understand your child’s needs
  • Ask about NDIS funding and payment options

Early support makes all the difference. Contact LEAP Centre today and let’s help your child reach their full potential.