9 Tips for Helping Others Understand Your Child’s Sensory Needs
Supporting a neurodivergent child means not only understanding their sensory needs but also effectively communicating those needs to others.
Whether you’re talking to teachers, family members, or other caregivers, providing a clear explanation of their needs while highlighting their strengths and what supports are beneficial helps ensure your child gets the support they need.
In this article, we explore how to communicate sensory needs to others more effectively, structure conversations, emphasize strengths first, explain challenges, provide practical support strategies, and encourage open dialogue with others.
Why Communication Matters
Many people are unfamiliar with sensory processing differences and may misinterpret a child’s reactions as behavioral issues or defiance.
Ensuring a child’s sensory needs are met across different environments ensures they’re supported and comfortable, which is important for their emotional well-being and ability to learn and feel safe.
You can encourage understanding and create a more inclusive environment by framing the conversation around your child’s strengths, challenges, and specific supports.
Tips for Communicating Sensory Needs Effectively
1. Start with Strengths Before Challenges
Starting with your child’s strengths helps others see them as a whole person, not just their challenges.
This positive framing encourages a more supportive and accommodating response by shifting the focus to what they excel at and how they uniquely experience the world.
How to Structure the Conversation
A helpful way to frame your discussion is by focusing on three key areas:
- What your child does well – Highlight their strengths and unique abilities.
- What challenges they face and why – Explain what may be difficult for them and why.
- What supports are beneficial – Offer practical solutions that help your child succeed.
Example: Talking to a Teacher
“Eric is incredibly creative and has a fantastic memory for details (what he does well). However, he is very sensitive to loud noises, which can make the classroom overwhelming for him (what challenges he faces and why). He does best when he can wear noise-canceling headphones or use a quiet space when he needs a break. If he covers his ears or seems distressed, offering him a calm space to reset will help him stay engaged (what supports are beneficial).”
Example: Communicating with a Babysitter
“Sophia is very caring and observant. She loves playing imaginative games (what she does well) but sometimes gets overwhelmed with unexpected touch, especially when she is not prepared for it (what is difficult and why). Letting her know before giving her a high five or a hug helps her feel safe. She enjoys deep-pressure input, so weighted blankets or tight squeezes help her calm down (what supports are beneficial).”
2. Use Relatable Examples
Many people aren’t aware of how sensory input affects emotions and behaviors because they may not experience these challenges themselves.
Since sensory processing differences are often invisible, they can be misunderstood as behavioral issues or personal preferences rather than neurological realities.
Using analogies can help bridge this gap in understanding by relating sensory experiences to common, everyday situations.
For example, describing sensory overload as feeling like being in a crowded stadium with blaring speakers and flashing lights can help others grasp how overwhelming certain environments can be for a child with sensory sensitivities.
Example: Talking to a Grandparent
“Jason loves visiting, but sometimes the bright lights and multiple conversations make it hard for him to focus. It’s like when you’re in a loud restaurant and struggle to hear the person next to you. If he steps away for a bit, it’s not because he doesn’t want to be here—he just needs a moment to reset.”
3. Describe Sensory Challenges in Simple Terms
When explaining sensory challenges to others, using everyday language makes it easier for them to understand and relate. If this is something new to someone or if it doesn’t directly impact their life, they might not be familiar with these terms or concepts.
Instead of using clinical or technical terms, try offering simple explanations that ensure they understand.
- Instead of saying: “They need extra vestibular input.”
- Try this: “They feel calmer when they can move around, like swinging, spinning, or jumping.”
- Instead of saying: “They experience proprioceptive sensory-seeking behaviors.”
- Try this: “They like activities that involve pushing, pulling, or deep pressure, like carrying a heavy backpack or getting a big hug.”
- Instead of saying: “They struggle with auditory processing.”
- Try this: “When there are too many noises at once, it’s hard for them to focus, like when you’re in a crowded café and trying to listen to one conversation.”
- Instead of saying: “They have tactile defensiveness.”
- Try this: “Certain fabrics or textures feel really uncomfortable, like when you have an itchy tag in your shirt that won’t stop bothering you.”
By translating complex terms into practical, everyday language, you can help others better understand and support your child’s needs.
4. Be Clear and Specific About Supports
Rather than just stating what is difficult, provide concrete solutions that help your child. Explaining specific accommodations and why they work makes it easier for others to provide appropriate support and feel confident when responding to your child’s needs.
For example, instead of simply saying, “My child struggles with loud noises,” you can say, “Loud noises are overwhelming for my child and can cause distress. Wearing noise-canceling headphones during assemblies or crowded places helps them feel more comfortable and stay engaged.”
Example: Talking to a Daycare Provider
“Emma loves playing with her friends and enjoys sensory activities like water play and painting (what she does well). However, she becomes overwhelmed in loud, crowded spaces, especially during transition times (what is difficult). Giving her a few minutes of quiet time before big transitions, like moving from playtime to lunch, helps her stay regulated. She also does well when she has access to a small fidget toy or a cozy corner where she can reset if things become too overwhelming (specific supports that are beneficial).”
5. Offer Practical Strategies
Providing practical strategies makes it easier for caregivers to implement supports and respond effectively to your child’s sensory needs.
When other caregivers know what to do and feel successful at supporting your child, they have more positive interactions with them, which builds their relationship and overall benefits your child.
By offering specific, actionable solutions, you empower others to create a more accommodating environment that increases connection and understanding.
Not all strategies are practical or feasible in all situations or for all caregivers to implement. It’s important to consider supports that are realistic and not too difficult to maintain consistently.
Example: Managing Sensory Overload in a Classroom
- Practical Support: Allowing a child to wear noise-canceling headphones during loud activities so they can stay engaged without becoming overwhelmed.
- Impractical Support: Expecting the entire classroom to remain silent all day to accommodate the child’s sensory needs.
Examples of Practical Sensory Supports
- Set Clear Expectations: Let caregivers know what helps your child before difficulties arise. For example, if your child struggles with transitions, ask for a five-minute warning before moving to a new activity.
- Encourage Sensory Breaks: Short, scheduled breaks can help prevent sensory overload and keep your child engaged.
- Provide Sensory Tools: Whether it’s a weighted lap pad, noise-canceling headphones, or a fidget toy, equipping your child with sensory tools can make a significant difference.
- Modify the Environment: Adjusting lighting, seating arrangements, or sound levels can help create a more sensory-friendly space.
- Use Visual Supports: Visual schedules, cue cards, or social stories can help your child anticipate and navigate daily activities.
Example: Preparing Grandparents for a Sleepover
“Ava is really excited to have a sleepover at your house! She loves bedtime stories and playing pretend. However, she can become overwhelmed with changes in routine, especially at night. Having her familiar weighted blanket and her favorite bedtime song playing softly can help her feel more secure. If she seems anxious, letting her use a nightlight and giving her a little extra time to wind down will make bedtime easier for her.”
6. Create a Sensory Information Sheet
Consider preparing a simple “Sensory Summary” for other caregivers. Having a written guide helps caregivers feel more confident in their ability to support your child because they have something tangible to refer to rather than relying on memory.
Just like visual supports help children process and navigate expectations, written summaries benefit adults, especially when there are multiple details to remember.
This is particularly useful for caregivers who may not interact with your child daily but want to ensure they are meeting their needs effectively.
Here’s what you can include:
- Strengths (Things your child does well and enjoys doing)
- Sensory preferences (e.g., enjoys deep pressure, seeks movement, avoids bright lights)
- Sensory triggers (e.g., loud noises, unexpected touch, strong smells)
- Coping strategies (e.g., fidget tools, quiet breaks, noise-canceling headphones)
- Best ways to offer support (e.g., giving choices, explaining transitions in a vance)
Sensory Information Sheet
This Sensory Information Sheet is designed for parents to provide to caregivers, teachers, and other support staff to ensure their child’s sensory needs are understood and accommodated. It includes sections for documenting strengths and interests, sensory preferences, sensory challenges, signs of overwhelm, effective strategies, preferred communication methods, and additional notes.
7. Advocatating for Your Child
As parents, we often feel like we’re repeating ourselves, fighting to be heard, and explaining the same things over and over. This can be frustrating and exhausting.
It’s important to acknowledge that advocacy takes time, and while change may be slow, every conversation plants a seed. Finding support from other parents, seeking out professionals who validate your concerns, and taking breaks when needed can help manage the emotional load.
8. Teach Your Child Self-Advocacy
Helping your child learn to express their needs builds confidence and independence. Teaching them to advocate for themselves not only supports their immediate comfort but also equips them with essential life skills that they will use as they grow.
It’s helpful to start with simple, clear phrases that they can use in different situations. Encouraging self-advocacy also builds self-awareness. When children understand their sensory needs and learn to communicate them effectively, they feel more in control of their experiences and interactions.
Role-playing different scenarios at home can help reinforce this skill and give them the confidence to use it when needed.
Here are some examples of simple self-advocacy phrases:
- “I need a break because this is too loud for me.”
- “I feel better when I have my fidget tool.”
- “Bright lights make my eyes hurt; can I move to a different seat?”
- “I like hugs, but only when I know they’re coming.”
- “This texture feels uncomfortable to me; can I have something different?”
Providing opportunities for children to practice these phrases in safe and familiar environments can make using them easier in real-life situations.
If your child struggles with verbalizing their needs, especially in high-stress situations, you can introduce other ways to self-advocate, such as hand gestures or visual communication tools.
Encouraging their efforts—no matter how small—helps reinforce their ability to speak up for themselves. So, respect their attempts at self-advocacy by responding immediately when they ask for a break or an accommodation.
Acknowledging and acting on their requests shows them that their voice matters and that advocating for their needs leads to real support.
You can find more tips for practicing self-advocacy skills here.
Other Self-Advocacy Resources
Self-Advocacy Guide for Kids
This four-page printable helps kids understand what self-advocacy is, why it matters, and how to practice it at home or school.
Self-Advocacy Communication Cards
These self-advocacy communication cards are designed to help kids express their needs and feelings in a clear, respectful way. Ideal for both home and school environments, these cards offer simple, non-verbal ways for kids to communicate important messages, promoting independence and confidence. Includes 16 phrases.
9. Address Criticism and Skepticism Calmly
Unfortunately, people won’t always understand or be immediately supportive. When faced with skepticism, stay calm and focus on providing clear, factual information.
Explain how accommodations allow your child to engage more fully and comfortably in their environment. If someone questions the necessity of a support, you can share an example of how it has made a positive difference in your child’s daily life.
Redirect the conversation toward the benefits, emphasizing that these strategies are not about giving special treatment but ensuring your child has the same opportunity to participate and succeed as their peers.
Example: Responding to a Doubtful Teacher or Family Member
“I understand it may seem unnecessary, but without this support, my child struggles to engage and learn. Allowing sensory breaks helps them self-regulate, which reduces meltdowns and helps them participate more successfully.”
Advocating for your child’s sensory needs is an ongoing process. By using clear, relatable explanations and practical strategies, you can help others understand and support your child more effectively.
Teaching self-advocacy skills also helps your child to express their needs with confidence as they grow. You can help create a more inclusive and understanding environment for your child through open communication and persistence.
