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Hypersensitivity vs. Hyposensitivity: What's the Difference?

What hyposensitivity is and ways you can help a child who may have it

By: Tristen Moore, CARE Coordinator

Neurodivergence and sensory sensitivities often go hand in hand. But did you know that anyone, whether having a diagnosis of any kind or not, can be sensory sensitive? You may have heard of hypersensitivities when a person may get overstimulated more quickly or often than their peers. They also may get overwhelmed with emotion for a reason they cannot come up with. Or maybe they experience anger or a different emotion simply because they need to eat.

All of those are examples of a hypersensitive person. But a person can also be hyposensitive. This means that instead of decreasing the number of stimuli, they often need more stimuli than what the average day can offer. Hyposensitivity may look like an individual who has a difficult time sitting still during reading or private work. They may want the music up loudly or to run around more frequently than others. Here are some ways that we can help hyposensitive kiddos get that extra sensory input they need to thrive!

• Take a walk, but instead of walking, jump like a frog, then march like a soldier, then pretend to fly like a plane.
• Listen to music louder than you typically would. You can set a timer for this or do it for the duration of one song.
• Use a weighted blanket, if you don't have a weighted blanket, pile all the blankets on one kiddo.
• Take a break and let your child run around in whatever boundary you set for them.
• Eat something super crunchy or something with a strong flavor.
• Bear hugs
• Tell them the schedule. That way they know the next time they will get more sensory input.