Hyposensitivity is an under-responsiveness to sensory stimuli that would normally register a reaction from a neurotypical brain. People who are hyposensitive need more intense input to register a sensation, which often leads to sensory-seeking behaviors.
For instance, a preference for strong flavors or loud noises may be a sign of hyposensitivity. If you enjoy listening to music at deafening volumes or prefer foods that are exceptionally spicy, sour, or crunchy (like chewing ice or hard candy), your sensory system may require a high volume of input to register sound (auditory hyposensitivity) and taste/texture (gustatory hyposensitivity).
Hyposensitivity can affect any of the senses, including those we’re less aware of, like body awareness (proprioception) or internal body signals (interoception). So, even if you’re not into loud sounds and spicy foods, it doesn’t mean your brain isn’t wired this way.
Today, we’ll take a deep dive into what hyposensitivity is and how to live with it.
Hyposensitivity is not usually disruptive, but there is a strong, well-documented link between hyposensitivity (sensory under-responsiveness) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Atypical responses to sensory input (either hypo- or hyper-sensitivity) are one of the diagnostic criteria for ASD in the DSM-5.
Understanding hyposensitivity in autism and how it manifests it’s crucial for parents and educators, as it explains why a child might not respond to their name or seem unaware of loud noises.
It’s also essential to understand that the sensory processing differences in autistic individuals are highly variable. A person may be hyposensitive in one sense (e.g., needing intense sound) and hypersensitive in another (e.g., avoiding light).
You can also have hyposensitivity and not be on the autistic spectrum. If this is the case, it helps to know how it impacts your life. Here are some of the signs to keep in mind:
If you have some of the symptoms but they’re nothing more than mild inconveniences, there are ways to provide safe, controlled, and intentional sensory input before your system starts craving it in disruptive ways.
Do a bit of research, talk to your healthcare provider, and learn more about how your sensory system works. You’re not broken; you’re just wired differently than neurotypical people. And that’s totally normal, in the grand scheme of things.
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