Sensory Definitions
Sensory Systems
Vestibular system: Is a tiny maze located in the inner ear that gives us an awareness of balance and spatial orientation (where our head is at in space) so we can coordinate our movements.
Auditory system: The auditory system processes how we hear and understand sounds within the environment.
Visual system: The visual system includes the eyes and few parts of the brain and gives us the sense of sight.
Tactile system: The tactile system, or sense of touch, refers to the information we receive though the receptors in our skin. The tactile system helps us understand important sensations such as pressure, texture, hot/cold and pain.
Olfactory system: The olfactory system, or sense of smell, is the sensory system used for smelling.
Gustatory system: The gustatory system is the sensory system responsible for how we understand taste and flavor.
Proprioception: Our body’s ability to sense the position of our body parts in relation to one another and in relation to other people and objects.
Interoception: Awareness of internal body cues and sensations such as feeling hungry, cold, thirsty, or cold or needing to go to the bathroom.
Hypersensitivity or Sensory Over-Responsivity: The brain interprets sensory information too intensely or too easily compared with others. A small amount of sensory input is needed for the brain to produce a big response. Can cause a fight, flight, or freeze response.
Hyposensitivity or Sensory Under-Responsivity: The brain interprets sensory information at a lesser intensity compared with others. A large amount of sensory input is needed for the brain to use the information effectively. May appear withdrawn or self-absorbed.
Sensory seeking: The child craves sensory input and seeks it out. Constant spinning, rocking, chewing and sucking on non-food objects (like shirt sleeves or collars), touching and fiddling with preferred objects or textures are all examples of sensory seeking behaviors.
Sensory avoidance: Hypersensitivity can create feelings of fear or pain which may result in the child trying to escape the sensation (running or hiding).
Stimming: Repetitive movements that are often in response to different emotions or to help them cope when feeling overwhelmed.
Sensory overload: When the brain has had enough! The sensations are too much for the brain to process which can result in negative behaviors or emotional outbursts. When a person is in sensory overload, they often need some help regulating their emotions and sensations to return to a calm state.
Sensory Integration (SI): The brains ability to process and organize all sensations in the environment smoothly and effectively, like directing the flow of traffic during rush hour.
Sensory Regulation: When the brain is at a state where it can take in different sensory inputs, respond appropriate, and is ready to learn.
Sensory Integration Therapy: A form of occupational therapy, this supports a person’s ability to organize and process sensory information and regulate their emotional response to sensory input.
People with autism might have sensitivities to:
Sights: Visual patterns, certain colors or shapes, moving or spinning objects, and bright objects or lights can be too intense or extremely interesting to a person with autism.
Smells: Specific smells. Some kids like to smell everything, while some kids can detect — and object to — smells that other people don’t notice.
Sounds: Loud or unexpected sounds like fire alarms or blenders, singing, repetitive or specific types of noises (like finger snapping or clapping).
Tastes: Specific tastes (like spicy, sour, bitter, or minty) and textures (like crunchy, chewy, or mushy)
Touch: Touch from other people, touching and fiddling with objects, tight or soft clothing, and certain textures or surfaces. They might also seek touch and tactile sensation by chewing or sucking on non-food objects (like shirt sleeves or collars).
Sensory Glossary curated by:
Bobbi Greiner
https://www.creighton.edu/campus-directory/greiner-bobbi-susanne
Anastasia Kyvelidou
https://www.creighton.edu/campus-directory/kyvelidou-anastasia
Marisa Welch