Sensory Processing Challenges: A Parent’s Guide

It’s 7 AM and your child is already having a meltdown because their socks “feel weird.” Sound familiar? You’re not alone, and you’re definitely not imagining it.

When your little one covers their ears at birthday parties, refuses to wear certain clothes, or seems to crash into everything, it can leave you feeling confused and exhausted. These behaviors might seem random, but they often point to something very real: sensory processing challenges.

As parents, we want to understand what our children are experiencing so we can help them thrive. Let’s explore what sensory processing challenges really mean and how you can support your child through them.

Proudly serving families in Cooper City, Davie, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Weston, and throughout Broward County, FL.

What Are Sensory Processing Challenges?

Think of your child’s nervous system as a sophisticated computer processing information from the world around them. Every sound, touch, taste, smell, and visual input needs to be organized and interpreted correctly.

The Eight Sensory Systems

Most people know about the five basic senses, but according to the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing, there are actually eight sensory systems that can be affected:

• Touch (Tactile): How textures, temperatures, and pressure feel
• Sound (Auditory): Processing different volumes, pitches, and frequencies
• Sight (Visual): Managing light, colors, and visual complexity
• Taste and Smell: Processing different flavors and scents
• Balance (Vestibular): Understanding movement and spatial orientation
• Body awareness (Proprioception): Knowing where your body is in space
• Internal awareness (Interoception): Recognizing hunger, thirst, and bathroom needs

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Recognizing the Signs in Your Child

Every child is unique, but there are common patterns that many families notice. These signs often appear across different settings – home, school, and social situations.

Over-Responsive (Hypersensitive) Signs

Children who are over-responsive might seem to have a “lower tolerance” for sensory input. They may experience everyday sensations as too intense or overwhelming.

• Covers ears during loud noises or complains about “normal” sounds
• Refuses to wear certain textures or tags in clothing
• Avoids messy play like finger painting or playing in sand
• Gets car sick easily or dislikes playground equipment
• Extremely picky eating, often preferring bland foods
• Becomes overwhelmed in busy environments like grocery stores

Under-Responsive (Hyposensitive) Signs

On the flip side, some children need more sensory input to feel regulated. They might seem like they’re constantly seeking stimulation.

• Crashes into furniture, walls, or other people frequently
• Seeks out loud noises or makes noise constantly
• Loves spinning, jumping, or intense movement
• Chews on non-food items like pencils or clothing
• Doesn’t seem to notice when they’re hurt or dirty
• Has trouble sitting still or staying focused

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The Connection to Your Child’s Nervous System

Here’s what many parents don’t realize: sensory processing challenges often stem from how well your child’s nervous system is functioning. When the nervous system is dysregulated, it can’t properly filter and organize sensory information.

This is where our “Perfect Storm” framework becomes relevant. Birth trauma, environmental toxins, and chronic stress can all impact how your child’s nervous system develops and functions.

Why Traditional Approaches Fall Short

Many well-meaning approaches focus only on managing symptoms or teaching coping strategies. While these can be helpful, they don’t address the root cause: nervous system dysregulation.

Think of it like this: if your child’s nervous system is like a guitar that’s out of tune, no amount of practice will make it sound right. You need to tune the instrument first.

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How Sensory Challenges Affect Daily Life

This is the reality for many families. Sensory processing challenges don’t just affect one area – they ripple through your entire day.

School and Learning

Classroom environments can be particularly challenging. Fluorescent lights, background noise, and the texture of worksheets can all impact your child’s ability to focus and learn.

Many children with sensory processing challenges are incredibly bright but struggle in traditional classroom settings. They might be labeled as “disruptive” or “not paying attention” when they’re actually doing their best to cope with sensory overload.

Social Situations

Birthday parties, playgrounds, and group activities can become sources of stress rather than joy. Your child might withdraw or act out, which can affect their social development and self-esteem.

Other children and parents might not understand, leading to your child feeling different or “wrong.” This social isolation can compound the challenges they’re already facing.

Family Dynamics

Let’s be honest – living with sensory processing challenges is exhausting for the whole family. Simple outings become military operations, and you might find yourself walking on eggshells to avoid triggering a meltdown.

Siblings might feel overlooked, and you might feel guilty, frustrated, or isolated. These feelings are completely normal and valid.

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The Overlap with Other Conditions

Sensory processing challenges don’t exist in isolation. The National Institute of Mental Health notes they often occur alongside other neurodevelopmental conditions, which can make the picture more complex.

ADHD and Sensory Processing

Many children with ADHD also experience sensory processing challenges. The hyperactivity you see might actually be your child’s attempt to get the sensory input they need to feel regulated.

Similarly, what looks like inattention might be sensory overload. When a child’s nervous system is overwhelmed by the feel of their clothes or classroom noise, focusing on schoolwork becomes nearly impossible.

Autism and Sensory Sensitivities

Sensory processing challenges are very common in children with autism. In fact, they’re now recognized as a core feature of autism spectrum disorders.

However, having sensory processing challenges doesn’t automatically mean your child has autism. Many neurotypical children also experience sensory difficulties.

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A Neurological Approach to Healing

At Alive & Free Chiropractic, we take a different approach. Instead of just managing symptoms, we focus on supporting your child’s nervous system so it can function optimally.

What This Looks Like in Practice

Our comprehensive approach starts with understanding your child’s unique story. Findings from ICPA research show we look at factors that might be contributing to nervous system dysregulation:

• Birth history and early development
• Physical trauma from falls or accidents
• Emotional stress and family dynamics
• Environmental factors and lifestyle

Then we use gentle, specific techniques to support nervous system function and help your child’s body find its natural balance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will my child outgrow their sensory processing challenges?

While some children do show improvement as their nervous systems mature, many benefit from targeted support. The earlier you address nervous system function, the better outcomes many families see. Every child is different, and with the right support, significant improvements are often possible.

How do I know if my child’s behaviors are sensory-related or just “normal kid stuff”?

Great question! The key is consistency and intensity. If your child consistently struggles with certain sensory experiences in ways that interfere with daily life, it’s worth investigating further. Trust your parent instincts – you know your child best.

Can chiropractic care really help with sensory processing?

Neurologically-focused chiropractic care addresses nervous system function, which is at the root of sensory processing. By supporting optimal nervous system communication, many families notice improvements in how their child processes and responds to sensory information.

What should I do if my child’s teacher doesn’t understand sensory processing challenges?

Education is key. Share resources about sensory processing and advocate for your child’s needs. Many teachers are willing to make accommodations once they understand what’s happening. Consider requesting a meeting to discuss specific strategies that could help in the classroom.

How long does it take to see improvements?

Every child responds differently, but many families begin noticing subtle changes within the first few weeks of care. Significant improvements often develop over several months as the nervous system gradually regulates. We’ll monitor progress closely and adjust our approach as needed.

Does insurance cover neurologically-focused chiropractic care?

Because we are neurologically-focused rather than a typical back-pain chiropractor, most major medical insurance plans do not cover what we do. Our approach is more specialized and more intensive than what insurance was designed for. However, we accept HSA and FSA — which many families have and don’t realize they can use for this. We also offer family discounts and flexible options to make care affordable. We always find a way for families who are committed to their child’s health.

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Your Next Steps Forward

Understanding sensory processing challenges is the first step toward helping your child thrive. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone, and there’s hope for your family.

If you’re in Cooper City or the surrounding Weston area and recognize these signs in your child, we’re here to help. Our comprehensive approach addresses the root causes of sensory processing challenges by supporting your child’s nervous system health.

Ready to learn more about how we can support your family? Call us at (754) 203-5907 or schedule your consultation online. Let’s work together to help your child feel more comfortable and confident in their world.

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