Sensory differences are part of how some of us experience the world. Many people with sensory processing differences face challenges in everyday life, and these differences often appear alongside certain conditions. And, while these issues can be part of anyone’s life, they are particularly common in conditions like autism, ADHD, and anxiety, as well as other neurodevelopmental differences.
Recognizing that sensory issues often intersect with these conditions helps us approach our and other people’s behaviors with empathy, tailor environments to individual needs, and provide strategies that make daily life more manageable and comfortable. Not to mention, stop assuming our own differences are intentional.
Sensory Issues And Different Conditions
One of the most well-known is autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many autistic individuals experience hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity in one or more senses, which can affect how they handle everyday environments. Loud noises, bright lights, or certain textures might feel overwhelming, while they may also seek intense movement or deep pressure to feel comfortable. These sensory differences can influence behavior, social interactions, and learning experiences.
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is another condition where sensory differences are common. People with ADHD may be more sensitive to distractions in their environment, such as background noise, visual clutter, or physical sensations, which can make it harder to focus. Others might under-register sensory input, leading them to seek extra stimulation, fidget, or move constantly to stay alert.
Sensory issues can also appear in people with anxiety or other neurodevelopmental conditions. Heightened sensory sensitivity can increase stress and contribute to feelings of being overwhelmed, while under-responsiveness can sometimes make it harder to respond to environmental cues safely. Even in conditions that aren’t primarily sensory, understanding sensory differences can help caregivers, educators, and therapists provide the right support.
The Senses and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person thinks, communicates, and interacts with the world around them. People with ASD often experience differences in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. One key area that frequently appears in autism is sensory processing differences, which can significantly influence daily life.
Many autistic individuals experience hypersensitivity, meaning their senses are heightened and can easily become overwhelmed. For example, loud noises, bright lights, or certain textures of clothing or food might feel painful or unbearable. These intense sensory experiences can lead to stress, anxiety, or even meltdowns. On the other hand, some autistic individuals may experience hyposensitivity, meaning they register sensory input less strongly. They might not notice when their hands are dirty, crave intense movement, or seek out strong tastes or textures to feel “alert” or grounded.
Simple adjustments, like reducing background noise, offering comfortable clothing, or providing sensory breaks, can make a huge difference in comfort, focus, and overall well-being.
The Senses and ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, self-control, and executive functioning. People with ADHD often struggle to focus or regulate impulses, but sensory processing differences are also common and can play a big role in how they experience the world.
Many individuals with ADHD are hypersensitive to sensory input. Loud noises, bright lights, or busy environments can feel overwhelming and make it hard to concentrate. For example, a student in a noisy classroom may struggle to follow instructions not because they aren’t paying attention, but because their nervous system is overloaded with sound. Some can also be hyposensitive, meaning they don’t notice sensory input as strongly and actively seek stimulation.
Understanding the sensory side of ADHD is important because it shows that behaviors like fidgeting, moving around, or avoiding certain situations aren’t just “misbehavior” or a lack of effort—they often reflect a need to manage sensory input.
Anxiety and Sensory Issues
Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects how people feel, think, and respond to stress. While anxiety itself is often thought of as emotional or cognitive, it can also be closely tied to sensory processing differences. People who experience heightened anxiety are frequently more sensitive to sensory input, which can make everyday environments feel overwhelming or threatening.
For example, a person with anxiety might find everyday sounds—like a phone ringing, traffic, or crowded spaces—intensely distracting or even distressing. Bright lights, strong smells, or certain textures can also trigger discomfort or stress. This hypersensitivity can make it hard to focus, relax, or participate fully in social or work settings.
Some people with anxiety may also develop avoidance behaviors related to their sensory sensitivities. They might avoid busy stores, loud events, or specific foods and clothing textures that feel uncomfortable. Others might seek soothing sensory input—like deep pressure, fidgeting, or listening to calming music—to help regulate their nervous system and reduce feelings of stress.
Other Conditions
Talking about sensory issues beyond childhood or neurodevelopmental diagnoses is important because it shows how universal these experiences are. They aren’t limited to one group of people — anyone, at any age, can find their sensory system changing due to stress, health, or life stage. By recognizing this, we can normalize sensory needs across the lifespan and create environments that support comfort and well-being for everyone.
Menopause and Hormonal Changes
During menopause, shifts in hormones like estrogen and progesterone can change the way the nervous system processes sensory input. Many women report increased sensitivity to heat, touch, or sound. Hot flashes themselves are a sensory experience — a sudden overwhelming feeling of warmth. Mood changes, sleep disruption, and heightened stress during this time can also make the sensory system feel more reactive. For example, noises that never used to bother someone might suddenly feel irritating or overwhelming, or certain fabrics might feel uncomfortable on the skin.
Older Age
As people age, sensory processing changes naturally. Some senses, like hearing, vision, taste, and smell, may decline, leading to a form of hyposensitivity. This can affect safety — for example, not hearing a smoke alarm clearly or not noticing spoiled food because of reduced smell. On the other hand, some older adults experience increased hypersensitivity, especially to light, noise, or touch, often because their nervous system is less able to filter input. Crowded places may feel stressful, or background noise may make conversation very difficult.
These changes can sometimes overlap with conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or age-related hearing and vision loss, making sensory processing even more complex.
Other Medical and Mental Health Conditions
Sensory issues can also appear in people with migraines, PTSD, or chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia. In these cases, the nervous system is often on high alert, and sensory input like light, sound, or touch can feel amplified. Anxiety and depression can also make the sensory system more reactive, linking emotional and physical experiences closely together.
Conclusion
Sensory processing is a fundamental part of how we experience the world. From childhood through older age, differences in how we perceive and respond to sights, sounds, touch, movement, and internal body signals can shape daily life in profound ways. Some people are hypersensitive, feeling sensations intensely and becoming easily overwhelmed, while others are hyposensitive, seeking out more input to feel balanced. These patterns often appear alongside conditions like autism, ADHD, and anxiety, but they can also be influenced by life stages such as menopause or the natural changes of aging.
Understanding sensory issues—and the vocabulary that describes them—helps us respond with empathy rather than frustration. By observing, listening, and offering thoughtful accommodations, we can help people of all ages navigate their sensory worlds comfortably, reduce stress, and even celebrate the unique ways they experience life!