Sensory processing challenges look different as people age Children are often referred to occupational therapy for sensory processing concerns when they can’t sit still in class, have “meltdowns” when asked to wear certain clothing, or when they avoid going to the bathroom in public due to the unbearable sound of the toilet flushing. In general, people have started to learn these early signs of sensory processing challenges and are referring these little ones to the appropriate interventions, which is fantastic! However, there remains a wide gap in both understanding and providing appropriate interventions for adults with sensory processing challenges. In this post, we’ll review how sensory processing disorders can present for young adults, with a special focus on the time of transitioning into their own living space. What is Sensory Processing Disorder? In a nutshell, sensory processing refers to the ability to take input from the environment and respond in a successful way. Here are two simple examples of successful sensory processing:– Touch a hot stove? Your body instictively pulls away. – Stepping onto a boat? Your muscles will automatically adjust to stabilize you against the waves. We all have sensory preferences – maybe you avoid wool sweaters or don’t like the feeling of dirt beneath your fingernails – but these situations likely don’t prevent you from engaging in your necessary daily tasks. Sensory processing disorder refers to such intense challenges with sensory input that it prevents the successful particpation in daily tasks. Perhaps you can’t find ANY clothes you feel comfortable wearing out of the house, or the touch of certain textures causes you to gag or feel physically sick. Sensory processing is a complex subject, and finding a skilled professional can be very helpful in understanding your own challenges. However, for the purposes of this post, let’s review some of the very basics. Over-Responsive to Sensory Input When someone is over-responsive to sensory input, they are considered “sensitive.” A small movement may feel overwhelming and disorienting. A gentle touch might feel painful. An overhead light might cause a piercing headache. When someone is over-responsive to sensory input, they might respond in one of these ways: Avoiding sensory input – Examples include wanting to wear sunglasses at all times to block light, keeping the shades down all day, or avoiding grooming and hygiene tasks. Seeking calming input – Examples include participation in repetitive and predictable activities to calm the nervous system. This can look like jumping up and down, rocking back and forth, or humming consistently. Under-Responsive to Sensory Input When someone is under-responsive to sensory input, they likely don’t notice sensations in their environment. You may call their name several times without them responding or they may not notice that they have toothpaste on their face. They may bump into things in their environment because they look more clumsy than their peers. When someone is under-responsive to sensory input, they may respond in one of these ways: Seeking out intense input – Examples include hobbies that allow them to “fill their sensory bucket” with high-intensity input such as spinning, jumping, and lifting. Ignoring any additional input – Examples include sedentary behavior, staying camped out in a favorite chair, requiring a lot of prompting, and tiring easily. Common Examples of Sensory Processing Difficulties in Young Adults Now that we’ve reviewed the basics of sensory processing, let’s apply it to the setting of young adulthood. While the situations below are common for many transition-age adults, let’s look at them from a sensory processing perspective. Trouble Sharing a Space with a Roommate A roommate can be incredibly unpredictable! They come along with different sounds, smells, lighting preferences and unique routines. The environment is much more out of your control when you live with someone else, which can make those with sensory sensitivities much more uncomfortable. On the flip side, those who are under-responsive to sensory input might not notice their own habits that bother others. Perhaps they leave a mess behind, let their alarm ring for hours, or never notice that the trash is stinking up the place. Difficulty Regulating Sleep/Wake Cycles Most young adults struggle with regulating their sleep/wake cycles as they move out of their homes. There is much more freedom to use your time as you wish, which might mean too much screentime, staying up too late, drinking too much caffeine, or taking mid-day naps. However, maintaining these cycles of regulation are especially difficult for people with sensory processing disorder. Their bodies have a harder time transitioning between sleep and wake as well as matching the appropriate level of alertness to a given situation. Finding the right routine will be important to support their unique needs. Poor Tolerance to Changes in Routine When people are feeling dysregulated or aren’t meeting their unique sensory needs, they may rely on routines and clear expectations to get through their day. Many people with sensory sensitivities thrive on knowing what is next so they can prepare for what they are going to experience. If an expected routine becomes disrupted, their frustration tolerance might appear to be very low. Difficulty Finding Things to Eat Many picky eaters are nervous when it comes to social eating. This can happen while eating at a friend’s house, going out to eat, or finding something at the dining hall. Picky eating increases when people aren’t meeting their sensory needs. The stress of managing your own schedule, establishing new habits, and sharing space with new people can decrease the overall tolerance for trying new foods out of your comfort zone. Struggling to Find a Hygiene Routine that Works When you can’t control the environment around you, or you feel stressed, you often feel overstimulated. Along the same lines of picky eating, tolerating hygiene routines can become more challenging as well when you are dysregulated. Want to learn more about this area specifically? Check out our post on teaching hygiene skills. Now What? Now that you have a better understanding of how sensory processing difficulties can present for young
