Sensory integration, or sensory processing, describes the different ways that people respond to sensory stimuli around and within them. Coined in 1963 by Dr. A. Jean Ayres, researchers have further expanded on her work to help children with developmental disorders and learning differences.
To further build on this foundation, Dr. Winnie Dunn developed a model that describes sensory processing via the combination of two factors:
- neurological thresholds; or the intensity level a stimulus must reach before a person registers it; and
- behavioral responses; or how actively or passively an individual typically responds to sensory input.
Four Unique Sensory Profiles
Crossing these two factors can shape four different sensory profiles: Low Registration, Sensory Sensitivity, Sensation Seeking, and Sensation Avoiding. These profiles are based on Dunn’s Model of Sensory Processing (Kern et al, 2007).
Low Registration
People with low registration need a higher level of sensory stimulation before they notice or process it, which can make them appear less responsive or uninterested in their surroundings.
- Passive response strategies
- High neurological thresholds
Sensory Sensitivity
Those with a sensory sensitivity profile may become overwhelmed easily. A stimulating environment, such as persistent noises or large crowds, can cause real anxiety and stress that goes beyond discomfort.
- Passive response strategies
- Low neurological thresholds
Sensation Seeking
Sensation-seeking individuals crave for sensory experiences that meet their needs, typically at a higher level of intensity such as loud music or constant movement. This may make them seem impulsive as a result.
- Active response strategies
- High neurological thresholds
Sensation Avoiding
An individual with a sensation avoiding profile may try to avoid certain stimuli altogether, which can include removing themselves from a situation. (Costa-López et al., 2021).
- Active response strategies
- Low neurological thresholds
The Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition (MIGDAS™-2) helps clinicians learn more about an individual’s sensory profile as part of an autism assessment, with particular attention to:
- social relationships;
- emotional responses;
- language;
- communication;
- sensory use; and
- sensory interests.
Thresholds and Responses May Vary
An individual’s responses and thresholds can vary depending on the type of sensory information they are exposed to. For example, how someone responds to touch isn’t automatically the same way they’ll respond to sound, as auditory processing and touch processing are different systems. Certain settings can also have a significant impact; being at home with a stronger sense of control and support varies greatly from being at work or school.
Several studies show how being highly responsive or sensitive may lead to fatigue and stress, along with depression and anxiety (Chang et al., 2022) and poor sleep quality (Rajaei et al., 2020). Other associated difficulties may include attachment insecurity (Kerley et al., 2023), executive attention dysfunction (Anquetil et al., 2023), and a greater risk of developing occupational burnout (van den Boogert et al., 2022).)
However, there can be positive effects as well. Individuals with high sensitivity has been linked to a sharper sense of humor and greater empathy (Costa-López et al., 2021) and may also be unusually skilled at observing subtlety, which supports greater resilience and what researchers describe as a “rich inner life” (Gulla & Golonka, 2021).
Research and Resources:
Anquetil, M., Roche-Labarbe, N., & Rossi, S. (2022). Tactile sensory processing as a precursor of executive attention: Toward early detection of attention impairments and neurodevelopmental disorders. WIREs Cognitive Science, 14(4), e1640. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcs.1640
Chang, M., Liu, C. J., & Blanche, E. (2022). Sensory processing correlates with depression and perceived stress in older adults. Innovation in Aging, 6(Supplement_1), 691. https://academic.oup.com/innovateage/article/6/Supplement_1/691/6938920
Costa-López, B., Ferrer-Cascales, R., Ruiz-Robledillo, N., Albaladejo-Blázquez, N., & Baryła-Matejczuk, M. (2021). Relationship between Sensory Processing and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(17), 3961. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10173961
Gulla, B., & Golonka, K. (2021). Exploring protective factors in wellbeing: How sensory processing sensitivity and attention awareness interact with resilience. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.751679
Kerley, L. J., Meredith, P. J., & Harnett, P. H. (2022). The Relationship Between Sensory Processing and Attachment Patterns: A Scoping Review. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 90(1), 79–91. https://doi.org/10.1177/00084174221102726
Kern, J. K., Garver, C. R., Carmody, T., Andrews, A. A., Trivedi, M. H., & Mehta, J. A. (2007). Examining sensory quadrants in autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 1(2), 185–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2006.09.002
Rajaei, S., Kalantari, M., Pashazadeh Azari, Z., Tabatabaee, S. M., & Dunn, W. (2020). Sensory Processing Patterns and Sleep Quality in Primary School Children. Iranian Journal of Child Neurology, 14(3), 57–68. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7468082/
van den Boogert, F., Spaan, P., Sizoo, B., Bouman, Y. H. A., Hoogendijk, W. J. G., & Roza, S. J. (2022). Sensory Processing, Perceived Stress and Burnout Symptoms in a Working Population during the COVID-19 Crisis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(4), 2043. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042043