Does your child constantly crash into furniture, chew on everything, or spin until they fall over? They might be a sensory seeker, a child whose brain needs more sensory input than average to feel regulated.
Sensory seeking is not naughtiness. It's the brain's way of asking for the input it needs to feel calm and focused.
What Sensory Seeking Looks Like
• Loves rough play, jumping, and crashing
• Touches everything and everyone
• Chews on clothes, pencils, fingers, or non-food items
• Spins, rocks, or swings constantly
• Makes loud noises, talks loudly, plays music very loud
• Has a very high pain threshold
Why Does This Happen?
The brain’s sensory processing system may not be getting enough "signal." It’s a bit like the volume is turned down, so the child looks for bigger, louder, or stronger sensations to feel regulated. This is especially related to the vestibular (movement) and proprioceptive (body position) senses.
How to Help a Sensory Seeker
• Build in heavy work activities such as carrying groceries, pushing a trolley, or digging in the garden
• Offer chewable jewellery or chew tools instead of clothes
• Schedule movement breaks throughout the day
• Trampolining, climbing, wrestling on the bed, all helpful!
An occupational therapist can design a "sensory diet", a daily plan of activities that give your child the input they need before they seek it out in disruptive ways.
