Sensory preferences in autistic children
Before you read
In this article, we share general information about some areas of development and the differences that might be seen in autistic children.
Every child with autism is unique and different. While they may share some similar traits, it’s important to know that each child will have their own learning styles, interests and preferences.
This information is designed to help you understand and support your autistic child. Always speak to their therapist/s before introducing any new strategies in the home.
Some of the strategies might be helpful for children without autism or without a diagnosis. We recommend speaking with your child’s early learning centre, your GP and/or your family network for more support.
What is sensory processing?
We all use our senses in our daily lives, often without even realising we’re using them. We use them to process information in and about our environment and in our body – this is sometimes called sensory input. Children with autism often process sensory input differently to neurotypical individuals.
We all have five external and three internal senses.
The five external senses are what we are most familiar with:
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Sight
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Hearing (sound)
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Touch
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Smell
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Taste
The three internal senses are:
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Vestibular — this is our sense of balance. It allows us to hold ourselves upright and keep from getting dizzy or toppling over.
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Proprioception — this is our sense of where our body and all its parts are in space. It helps us understand where we are, how we are moving, and how much force we’re exerting.
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Interoception — this is how we perceive our bodies internal sensations like hunger, being hot or cold or needing to go to the toilet.
What are some examples of differences in sensory processing?
The way we experience and process sensory input varies from person to person. Autistic children often have a preference or sensitivity around certain types of sensory input. They might be over-sensitive to some sensory input and try to avoid it, or they might be under-sensitive and then seek that input out.
Below are some examples of sensory preferences or sensitivities:
| Sense | Over-sensitive | Under-sensitive |
| Sight | Your child might prefer the dark or close their eyes to avoid lights. | Your child might like bright colours or spinning objects. |
| Hearing (sound) | Your child might cover their ears in a noisy environment. | Your child might not seem to hear what people say, or be more likely to respond when people talk in an animated way. |
| Touch | Your child might dislike certain textures like clothing tags on their back. | Your child might enjoy the feeling of certain textures like running sand through their fingers. |
| Smell & taste | Your child might avoid or refuse some foods. | Your child might explore things by licking and/or smelling them. |
| Vestibular (balance) | Your child might have excellent balance. | Your child might have unstable balance and bump into things. |
| Proprioception (position & movement) | Your child might get motion sickness or show fear on escalators. | Your child might seek movements by running and jumping, or enjoy weighted blankets. |
| Interoception (internal sensations) | Your child might react to injuries intensely. | Your child might have difficulty recognising internal sensations like hunger, pain or needing to use the toilet. |
Stimming & sensory overload
Stimming
Stimming refers to the use of repetitive movements, sounds or fidgeting that help children with autism to stimulate or satisfy the sensory input that they are seeking.
The amount and type of stimming used vary from person to person. These behaviours include hand-flapping, rocking, spinning, echolalia (repeating words or phrases) or repetitive behaviours (e.g. flicking switches).
Stimming itself is not inherently harmful; however, in some contexts the stimming behaviour can be unsafe, inappropriate or disruptive. In these cases, your child could benefit from learning alternative strategies to regulate their sensory needs.
Sensory overload
When the amount of sensory information is beyond what their brain can process or cope with, an autistic child can experience sensory overload.
This can be triggered by a single event, like an unexpected loud noise, or it can build up over time - the effort it takes to cope with the sensory input in the environment can cause overwhelm, intense anxiety and distress.
Children in sensory overload might cover their eyes or ears, shut down, have a meltdown or even run away from the stimulation.
What can families do to help?
If your child is easily overwhelmed by sensory information, you can try the following:
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Allow extra time for them to process what you are saying or what is happening.
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Encourage them to wear headphones or earplugs in noisy environments.
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Gradually introduce a new sensory stimulus — introduce a little bit at first and increase in small amounts over time as your child becomes comfortable.
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Provide food and clothing options that accommodate personal preferences.
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Keep routines for your child and family predictable to allow them to anticipate what will happen next and reduce anxiety.
If your child needs more stimulation:
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Speak in a loud and animated voice for them to notice you.
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Use sensory tools that are stimulating such as fidget toys, playdough or chewies.
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Include movement breaks or physical activities throughout your child’s day, like bouncing on the trampoline.
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Use visual aids like pictures, simple charts or objects to help your child process spoken information.
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Teach your child how to notice different body cues and self-regulation strategies. For example, when their muscles are tense, they can practise breathing exercises.
Summary
- Sensory processing involves external and internal senses – in addition to sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste, we also rely on vestibular (balance), proprioception (body positioning), and interoception (internal sensations) to navigate daily life.
- Autistic children may experience sensory input differently – they might be overly sensitive to some stimuli (avoiding bright lights, loud noises, or certain textures) or under-sensitive (seeking movement, bright colours, or strong sensations).
- Stimming and sensory overload are common experiences – stimming helps autistic children regulate sensory input, while sensory overload can lead to distress, shutdowns, or meltdowns when too much information overwhelms them.
- Families can support sensory needs with personalised strategies – providing sensory-friendly environments, using headphones in noisy spaces, offering movement breaks, and gradually introducing new stimuli can help children regulate their sensory experiences.
