Understanding Sensory Sensitivity: How Speech Therapy Can Help

Many parents notice that their child reacts strongly to everyday experiences—covering their ears at loud noises, refusing certain clothes, melting down during tooth brushing, or avoiding messy play. These reactions can be confusing and exhausting, especially when they seem out of proportion to what’s happening.

Often, these behaviors are signs of sensory sensitivity—and with the right support, children can learn to feel more comfortable and confident in their world.

What Is Sensory Sensitivity?

Sensory sensitivity occurs when a person’s nervous system reacts more strongly (compared to others) to everyday sensory inputs. Sounds, textures, lights, smells, tastes, or movement that may seem “normal” to others can feel overwhelming, uncomfortable, or even painful to those with sensory sensitivity.

This heightened response is not a choice or a behavior problem—it’s the nervous system communicating distress.

What Sensory Sensitivity Can Look Like

Children (and adults) with sensory sensitivity may:

• Cover their ears in response to loud or unexpected noises

• Avoid certain clothing because it feels itchy, tight, or uncomfortable

• Struggle in bright, busy, or crowded environments

• React strongly to smells or food textures

• Become easily overwhelmed in noisy spaces

Every child’s sensory profile is unique, and sensitivities can change depending on stress, fatigue, or the environment.

Why Does Sensory Sensitivity Happen?

Sensory sensitivity occurs when the brain has difficulty filtering and organizing sensory information. Those with sensory sensitivity are experiencing too much input at too high of volume. It is commonly seen in:

• Young children, especially toddlers

• Autistic individuals

• Children with sensory processing differences

• Individuals with ADHD, anxiety, or a history of trauma

• Neurotypical individuals during times of stress or fatigue

Understanding the “why” behind a child’s reactions helps caregivers respond with empathy instead of frustration.

How Sensory Sensitivity Shows Up in Daily Routines

For many families, sensory sensitivity becomes most noticeable during everyday routines, such as:

• Meltdowns during grooming (hair brushing, tooth brushing, baths)

• Refusing certain foods or clothing

• Avoiding messy play or hands-on activities

• Needing extra time to adjust to new environments or transitions

These moments can be challenging—but they’re also powerful opportunities for support and learning.

How Sensory Sensitivity Is Supported

Support focuses on helping the nervous system feel safe, regulated, and understood. Effective strategies often include:

• Predictable routines

• Gradual and controlled exposure to challenging sensations

• Offering choices and a sense of control

• Using calming strategies like deep pressure or movement breaks

• Collaborating with professionals such as occupational therapists and speech language pathologists

When children feel regulated, they are more available for communication, learning, and connection.

How a Speech-Language Pathologist Can Help

Many parents are surprised to learn that speech language pathologists (SLPs) play an important role in supporting children with sensory sensitivity—especially when it impacts communication, feeding, and daily routines.

Here are five key ways an SLP can help:

1. Supporting Sensory-Friendly Communication
SLPs adjust their language, pacing, and environment to reduce sensory overload. Calm voices, visual supports, and predictable routines help children focus on communication instead of discomfort.

2. Building Language During Regulating Activities
Therapy goals are often embedded into calming or organizing activities such as slow movement, deep pressure, or play. When a child’s nervous system is regulated, communication becomes more natural and successful.

3. Teaching Functional Communication for Sensory Needs
SLPs help children learn how to express discomfort, preferences, and boundaries with words, signs, or visuals (e.g., “too loud,” “all done,” “break please”). This reduces frustration and decreases behavioral responses.

4. Supporting Feeding and Oral-Sensory Tolerance
For children with food texture sensitivities, gagging, or limited diets, SLPs can support oral sensory processing and feeding skills using gentle, gradual, child-led approaches.

5. Coaching Caregivers Through Sensory-Supportive Routines
SLPs work closely with parents and caregivers to model supportive language, visuals, and routines during challenging moments like tooth brushing, dressing, meals, and transitions.

Why In-Home Speech Therapy Makes a Difference

In-home therapy offers a unique advantage for children with sensory sensitivity. Working in a child’s natural environment allows therapy to:

• Reduce sensory overload

• Address real-life routines in real time

• Support regulation where challenges actually occur

• Empower caregivers with practical, everyday strategies

Therapy in the home creates meaningful, functional progress that carries over into daily life.

A Final Thought

Sensory sensitivity is not bad behavior. It’s a child’s nervous system asking for support.

With understanding, patience, and the right strategies, children can learn to navigate sensory experiences more comfortably—and build strong communication skills along the way.

If you have concerns about your child’s sensory responses, communication, or feeding, working with a speech language pathologist can be an important step toward support and success.