Children use their sensory systems to take in information from their bodies and their environment. School-based occupational therapists (OTs) support students when sensory processing differences impact learning, behavior, or participation at school.
1. Visual (Sight)
Helps with: seeing, tracking, recognizing shapes and letters
At school: reading, writing, copying from the board
When a child struggles: easily distracted, loses place, visual clutter
2. Auditory (Hearing)
Helps with: noticing and understanding sounds
At school: following directions, listening in groups
When a child struggles: sensitive to noise, misses directions, distracted by background sounds
3. Tactile (Touch)
Helps with: processing touch, pressure, textures, and temperature
At school: using materials, personal space, self-care
When a child struggles: avoids textures, seeks excessive touch, discomfort with clothing or tools
4. Olfactory (Smell)
Helps with: detecting and responding to smells
At school: comfort in shared spaces, emotional regulation
When a child struggles: strong reactions to classroom smells
5. Gustatory (Taste)
Helps with: processing taste and oral input
At school: snack and lunch participation
When a child struggles: selective eating or strong food preferences
6. Vestibular (Movement & Balance)
Helps with: balance, movement, head position
At school: sitting upright, playground skills, attention
When a child struggles: seeks movement or avoids movement activities
7. Proprioceptive (Body Awareness)
Helps with: understanding body position and force
At school: posture, coordination, self-regulation
When a child struggles: crashes into things, uses too much or too little force
8. Interoceptive (Internal Body Signals)
Helps with: recognizing hunger, thirst, bathroom needs, emotions
At school: emotional regulation, self-awareness
When a child struggles: difficulty identifying feelings or body needs
Sensory differences are not behavior problems. They reflect how a child’s nervous system processes information. Occupational therapists support children with strategies and tools so they can participate successfully at school.