Two children can both have sensory processing differences and respond to the world in almost opposite ways. Understanding whether your child tends toward seeking or avoiding specific sensory input — often varying by sense — helps you support them more effectively.
Sensory Seeking
Sensory seeking means a child actively pursues additional sensory input, because their nervous system requires more intense input to register and process it typically. This might look like: spinning, jumping, or crashing into things for proprioceptive (body position) input; touching everything, including textures others might find unpleasant; seeking loud sounds or making noise; or craving intense flavors, textures, or temperatures in food.
Sensory Avoiding
Sensory avoiding means a child's nervous system registers sensory input as more intense than typical, leading to active avoidance of specific sensory experiences. This might look like: covering ears in response to sounds others don't find loud, avoiding certain textures in clothing or food, distress in bright or fluorescent lighting, or strong aversion to unexpected touch.
Why Both Can Happen in the Same Child
It's genuinely common for a child to be a sensory seeker in one domain (craving movement and proprioceptive input) while being a sensory avoider in another (strongly averse to certain sounds or textures). This isn't contradictory — different sensory systems can process input differently within the same person, which is part of why a thoughtful sensory assessment looks at each sense somewhat independently rather than assuming a single, uniform pattern.
Why This Distinction Matters Practically
Understanding whether a specific behavior is seeking or avoiding changes how you respond. A child seeking proprioceptive input through crashing and jumping likely needs planned, safe opportunities for that kind of movement built into their day (not just a request to stop). A child avoiding a specific texture in food isn't being "picky" in the typical sense — forcing exposure without a thoughtful, gradual approach can increase distress rather than resolve it.
Behaviors That Can Be Misread
Sensory seeking or avoiding behaviors are sometimes misread as purely "behavioral" problems when they're actually sensory-driven. A child who seems to constantly touch things isn't necessarily being defiant; a child who melts down in a loud environment isn't necessarily overreacting. Understanding the sensory function behind a behavior — rather than assuming it's purely about compliance — changes how effectively you can support your child.
Working With, Not Against, Sensory Needs
Effective support generally works with a child's sensory profile rather than trying to eliminate seeking or avoiding behaviors outright: providing safe, appropriate outlets for sensory-seeking needs, and thoughtfully reducing or preparing for sensory triggers a child avoids, rather than simply insisting on tolerance without support.
Getting a Professional Assessment
An occupational therapist with sensory integration training can conduct a formal sensory assessment, providing a more detailed picture of your child's specific sensory profile across each sense — valuable information that can inform both OT and ABA treatment planning.
For Muskegon-Area Families
Our BCBA, Kimberly Blazer, takes your Muskegon-area child's specific sensory profile into account when building a treatment plan, coordinating with occupational therapy when your child is also receiving it. Our Individual ABA Therapy service is designed around exactly this kind of goal. our in-home ABA therapy in Muskegon page has more information, or Get Started Today to get started.
This article is part of our complete guide, Understanding Sensory Processing Differences in Autism. Clinically reviewed by Kimberly Blazer, BCBA.