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Sensory Seekers vs. Sensory Avoiders
Why your child may crave more—or less—of the world around them
Eliana Savitsky
September 30, 2025
✨ Hey there!
Ever notice how one child can’t get enough of jumping, crashing, or touching everything in sight—while another covers their ears at loud sounds or shies away from messy play?
These differences aren’t personality quirks—they’re sensory preferences. Understanding whether your child is a sensory seeker or sensory avoider (or a mix of both!) is the key to helping them feel calm, focused, and safe in their world.q
✨ First Things First: Quick Wins for You
🧺 Weighted Lap Pad – Calms both seekers and avoiders by providing deep pressure input.
🧗 Indoor Crash Pad or Mini Trampoline – For seekers who crave jumping, crashing, and heavy work.
🧠 Sensory Seeking vs. Sensory Avoiding (OT Lens)
🔍 Sensory Seekers
Their nervous systems need more input to feel “just right.”
You might notice:
Constant movement (jumping, spinning, crashing)
Touching everything or putting things in their mouths
Loving loud noises, bright lights, or rough play
Struggling to sit still or calm down
Goal: Provide safe, structured sensory input throughout the day.
🛑 Sensory Avoiders
Their nervous systems get overloaded easily.
You might notice:
Covering ears at noise, hiding from crowds
Avoiding messy textures like sand or finger paint
Preferring tight clothing or specific routines
Meltdowns in busy or unpredictable environments
Goal: Create calm, predictable spaces and introduce new sensations slowly.
At a recent playdate, I watched one kid dive into the couch like it was the best thing ever—while another hovered by the door, hands over their ears at the sound of the ambulance going by.
As a mom and OT, I know that each child’s nervous system has its own way of processing input.
The couch kid? A seeker—their body needs lots of sensory input to feel organized.
The one at the door? An avoider—their system gets overloaded easily and craves predictability.
Once you know which one your child leans toward, you can plan your day (and your home) to work with their nervous system, not against it.
🛠️ Sensory Routine You Can Try
Here’s how to meet each child where they are:
For Sensory Seekers
Start the day with heavy work (pushing laundry baskets, jumping, carrying books).
Offer frequent movement breaks—animal walks, dancing, or a yoga ball sit.
Add deep pressure activities: bear hugs, pillow squishes, or rolling a yoga ball over their back.
For Sensory Avoiders
Prep transitions with visual schedules and calm countdowns.
Create a quiet corner with dim lighting and soft textures.
Gradually expose to tricky sensations (like finger paint) with tools—start with a brush, then a fingertip, then a whole hand.
Balance is the goal. Over time, consistent sensory support helps both seekers and avoiders regulate and thrive.
🔬 Why It Works
Our brains crave the “just right” level of input. Seekers and avoiders are simply showing us how their systems process the world. By tuning into their cues and offering the right mix of movement, calm, and control, we’re teaching them self-regulation—a lifelong skill for managing stress, emotions, and focus.
Wrapping Up for Today
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” nervous system. Whether your child seeks more or avoids too much, understanding their sensory profile is the first step to calmer days and more confident kids. Start small, observe often, and remember—every behavior is communication.
Big high-five,
Eliana
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