What is Sensory regulation?IN BRIEF
The body continuously sends information to the brain about the environment, allowing us to experience sensations. The brain interprets this information to make us aware of our bodies and the world around us. However, sometimes the brain can become overwhelmed by the amount of information it receives from the body. At this point, the information sent by the body no longer makes sense. This is called sensory dysregulation. While it can happen to anyone, it is much more common among autistic people. For this reason, autistic individuals often need to take actions to maintain good sensory regulation.
Description of Sensory Regulation
Sensory regulation occurs when the brain interprets information from the body in a logical order, enabling us to understand our environment. Autistic people intuitively use various techniques to achieve sensory regulation. By “intuitively,” we refer to actions learned without explicit instruction (e.g., scratching when we feel an itch is intuitive). Autistic individuals instinctively engage in two types of actions to support good sensory regulation: sensory avoidance and sensory seeking.
Note
While autistic individuals intuitively develop a variety of sensory regulation strategies, they can also learn from others. For example, specialized educators are trained to help identify new sensory regulation tools and improve those already in use. There are also support groups where autistic individuals can share their experiences, tips, and advice.
Common Sensory Regulation Strategies
Sensory avoidance
Sensory avoidance encompasses all actions autistic people take to avoid sensations that can interfere with their interpretation of sensory input. Autistic individuals may wish to avoid certain situations (e.g., shopping) or physical locations (e.g., a mall). Barrier methods can also be used to block sensations, such as closing one’s eyes, covering ears, or wearing long or oversized clothing. These methods can be improved by using appropriate tools, like sunglasses or noise-reducing headphones.
Sometimes, unpleasant sensations that might lead to sensory overload are unavoidable. For example, undergoing a dental procedure to fix a cavity is unpleasant for everyone. The light, the sound of the instruments, and all other sensations surrounding the procedure can be even more challenging for autistic individuals. In such cases, it is essential to plan ahead and have sensory barrier tools ready for use during the procedure.
In daily life, certain actions must be performed regardless of how unpleasant their sensations might be, such as bathing or brushing one’s teeth. Some autistic individuals might be tempted to avoid these activities to prevent sensory dysregulation. However, for health reasons, it is better to find enjoyable or less unpleasant ways to complete these tasks. Examples include using a showerhead with a gentle spray, selecting soap based on its scent and texture, or consistently using the same model of ultra-soft toothbrush. Rather than avoiding all sensations related to self-care, it is possible to replace unpleasant sensations with more pleasant ones. The key is for sensory avoidance techniques to help maintain good sensory regulation without preventing essential actions from being completed. This principle applies to all other obligatory life situations that an autistic person might seek to avoid for sensory regulation purposes.
Sensory Seeking
As the name suggests, sensory seeking involves actively engaging in repetitive actions. This broad category of behaviors, sometimes called “stims,” includes all repetitive actions that aid in sensory regulation. There is a wide variety of stims, such as hand-flapping, chewing on a rubber accessory, or stroking a stuffed animal. Stims serve the purpose of seeking sensations repeatedly. They function somewhat like a metronome that helps a musician keep time, ensuring they neither play too fast nor too slow. By providing a consistent sensation, stims make it easier for the brain to sort through the information it receives from the body.
Sensory seeking helps autistic individuals ignore other sensations their bodies might send. It’s as if the brain takes a “break” to focus on its favorite activity without worrying about anything else. During these moments, the autistic person becomes less aware of their environment. They may not engage in other activities or even respond to their name when called. These breaks are very important for autistic individuals. Sometimes, the body sends too much information, and the brain cannot process it all. Sensory seeking allows the brain to “catch up” and provides the individual with a chance to simply rest. This helps prevent them from becoming dysregulated or overwhelmed.
Sensory seeking can also enhance an autistic person’s ability to focus on their surroundings. It may even help them perform complex tasks like cooking, studying for an exam, or getting dressed. In these instances, sensory seeking acts as a metronome. By providing a regular sensation, it helps the individual coordinate their actions with the sensory input.
Additionally, sensory seeking can lead autistic individuals to strongly prefer routines. Routines allow them to experience the same sensations repeatedly. All brains find it easier to understand familiar sensations, but autistic brains are more sensitive to differences. For instance, two brands of cereal that seem identical may produce different sensations, which autistic individuals are more likely to notice. The surprise of a sensation that is almost but not quite the same can cause dysregulation. Routines and habits may seem rigid to allistic (non-autistic) people, but they can be vital to an autistic person’s well-being. Experiencing exactly the same sensations repeatedly helps facilitate sensory regulation.
