There are many different sensory types and as many types of sensory needs! What's a grown-up to do? If you're overwhelmed by all the information out there about sensory processing, we can help you narrow down all this information a bit.

As a parent to a sensory kid, I've had the good fortune to learn a lot about the different sensory types from an occupational therapist and a pediatrician, as well as my child's learning plan team at school. With this knowledge, I love helping kids and parents find great toys for their needs because when these needs are met, children are more successful.

Meeting these needs also helps the grown-ups in your sensory kiddo's life. When needs are addressed and met in the classroom or at home, then your child can focus, better absorb information at a faster speed, and is more likely to remember to use any coping strategies they have learned.

Here are 7 different types of sensory needs, and some solutions and tools that can be used at home, as well as found here at Beyond the Blackboard.

A Child With Oral Needs May

• Not like brushing their teeth or having their teeth professionally cleaned (this dislike goes beyond general discomfort - for example, they may require interventions for a regular visit to the dentist)
• Bite frequently
• Not like foods with certain textures
• Often chew on their sleeve, pencils, fingernails, etc.
• Be a very picky eater
• Consistently crave salty, spicy, or sour flavors

Solutions for Oral Needs

• Use a vibrating toothbrush
• Provide crunchy snacks like apples, baby carrots, or seaweed snacks
• Have a chewy on-hand
• Provide chewing gum (if age appropriate)

A Child With Self-Movement Needs May

• Love tight hugs or being "squished"
• Jump or skip everywhere (instead of walking)
• Hold objects too tightly
• Be afraid of stairs or escalators
• Be called "clumsy"
• Seek pressure

Solutions for Self-Movement Needs

• Practice picking things up with tongs
• Provide a pressure or stress ball
• Practice walking over pillows or on surfaces with different textures
• Provide a weighted plush or lovey

A Child With Auditory Needs May

• Be extremely afraid of fireworks, or be startled and overwhelmed by crashing noises or loud sounds (for example, a fire alarm may cause an older child to "shut down" or become very upset)
• Always be tapping their feet or their hands ("drumming")
• Always turn up the volume on their device or when listening to music

Solutions for Auditory Needs

• Encourage percussion lessons or provide instruments!
• Make sure noise-cancelling headphones are always available for your child

A Child With Balance Needs May

• Always be in motion
• Love to be upside down
• Love to spin
• Crave intense or fast movement (roller coasters!)

Solutions for Balance Needs

• Provide "can steppers"
• Play active games
• Provide a skipping toy

A Child With Tactile Needs May

• Avoid certain materials
• Dislike clothing in general
• Not like being touched
• Love touching things that are smooth or have a soothing quality
• Not like showers or getting wet
• Not like being barefoot or walking on grass or sand
• Wash their hands a lot
• Dislike seams and tags in clothing

Solutions for Tactile Needs

• Play outside (in the grass!) often!
• Buy seamless or tagless clothing (check out this list of sensory-friendly clothes for kids!)
• Provide soft manipulatives like Land of Dough
• Encourage putty play
• Encourage chores that use water (like washing dishes, if age appropriate)

A Child With Visual Needs May

• Avoid eye contact
• Avoid bright lights

Solutions for Visual Needs

• Sunglasses!
• There shouldn't be too many wall decorations in their spaces, and decorations should be calming
• Use a weighted plush friend to practice making eye contact

 A Child With Olfactory Needs May

• Be extremely sensitive to scents (perfume, coffee, laundry detergent, etc.)

Solutions for Olfactory Needs

• Provide manipulatives that are naturally scented with essential oils
• Use unscented laundry detergent and fabric softener

It's important to note that most "sensory kids" experience a combination of these types of needs! If you have questions about sensory needs and preferences in your child, reach out to your pediatrician, who can refer you to a local occupational therapist.

Shop our Sensory Toys collection, here!