Understanding Sensory Issues in Teens

Sensory issues in teens are commonly associated with autism spectrum disorder, but they can be caused or worsened by a wide range of personal and environmental factors. Identifying the underlying influences can be an important step toward finding the right type of help for a teen who has been struggling with these types of challenges.

Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center is a safe residential environment where teens with sensory issues can receive customized care and compassionate support from a team of highly skilled professionals.  For additional information, contact us today.

Learn more about mental health treatment for teens in Southern California or verify your insurance now.

What Are Sensory Issues?

Sensory issues is a catch-all term that can refer to a range of abnormalities in how a person’s brain processes external stimuli such as lights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches. These types of difficulties are also often referred to as sensory processing issues. 

Types of sensory issues in teens include:

• Hypersensitivity: These types of issues can cause teens to become overwhelmed by what others would view as moderate or everyday sensory inputs, such as being in a brightly lit room or sitting among a noisy crowd at a sporting event. This may also be referred to as sensory over-responsivity (SOR).
• Hyposensitivity: The opposite of hypersensitivity, this type of sensory issue among teens can be characterized by delayed responsiveness or not realizing that they are being spoken to. This is sometimes also known as sensory under-responsivity (SUR).
• Sensory craving: Teens with this type of sensory issue have urges to increase their exposure to various stimuli. Sensory craving seems to be more common among pre-adolescents, who may deal with the urges by frequently fidgeting, chewing on non-food items, bumping up against objects, or making loud noises.
• Sensory discrimination disorder: This involves trouble differentiating between stimuli. A teen with this type of sensory issue may have difficulty telling the difference between similar words, finding an object in a cluttered environment, or identifying a type of fabric by touch alone.

Signs of Sensory Issues in Teens

Possible signs that a teen has a sensory issue include:

• Being easily distracted by lights or sounds when trying to focus on a task
• Frequently complaining that room lights are too bright 
• Wearing only certain types of clothes made from specific materials
• Recurrent unexplained headaches, stomach aches, or nausea
• Preferring not to attend events that involve large crowds
• Being easily hurt or exhibiting an abnormal resistance to pain
• Often appearing to be daydreaming or otherwise “tuned out”
• Having difficulties with coordination and/or fine motor skills
• Restricting their diet to a limited selection of food

Are Sensory Issues Common Among Teens?

The general consensus seems to be that about one out of every six young people has some type of sensory processing issue, but the prevalence can be much higher among teens with certain mental health disorders.

Studies of sensory processing issues among teens, adolescents, and children have found:

• A November 2017 study in the journal Occupational Therapy International reported that 5%-16.5% of the general public are affected by some type of sensory issue. 
• A training and resource center affiliated with Indiana University stated that as many as 96% of people with autism may have sensory processing issues.
• An October 2022 Brain Sciences study noted that 50%-64% of children with ADHD have sensory processing issues.
• A study of 213 young people ages 7-18 found that 20% of participants with OCD had one sensory issue, 11% had two sensory issues, and 18% had three.
• That same study found that 22% of children and adolescents with anxiety disorders had one sensory issue, 21% had two, and 17% had three.

What Causes Sensory Issues in Teens?

Several physical, psychological, and environmental factors that can increase a young person’s risk of sensory issues.

Mental health conditions that have been linked with sensory issues among teens include:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Eating disorders
• Acute stress disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Trauma & PTSD
• Anxiety disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Depression

Medical and environmental concerns that can contribute to sensory issues in teens include:

• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Down syndrome 
• Maternal stress during pregnancy
• Premature birth
• Extreme neglect or deprivation during childhood
• Exposure to lead during childhood

Also, a June 2020 Molecular Psychiatry study involving twins determined that genetic factors account for 47% of variations in sensitivity. 

How Can I Help My Teen?

There’s no “one simple trick” for helping teens with sensory issues, but there are a variety of options that have proved to be effective for some young people. What’s most important is to use your unique understanding of your child to find the techniques that best align with their specific needs and strengths.

Here are a few options that may help your teen:

• Establish routines: For teens with sensory issues, predictable routines can ease anxiety and reduce their risk of becoming overwhelmed. 
• Create a calming space: Depending on your teen’s specific sensory issues, vital elements of a calming space may include low lighting, comfortable chairs or mats, soothing sounds, or items with certain scents.
• Teach them self-soothing techniques: Exercises such as the “5-4-3-2-1” technique or box breathing can help teens calm and ground themselves when they feel like they’re on the precipice of sensory overload.
• Use adaptive devices: Fidget toys and weighted blankets are just two examples of the many items that can help teens manage the emotional impact of sensory overload.
• Advocate for them: Talk to your child’s teachers, guidance counselors, and coaches to ensure your child has a safe and supportive environment in school and while participating in extracurricular activities. 
• Empower them to self-advocate: Teach your child age-appropriate ways to express their needs and advocate on their own behalf. In addition to helping them cope with sensory issues, self-advocacy is a valuable skill that can serve them well throughout their life. 
• Seek professional help: Sometimes, self-care and personal support aren’t enough to offset the impact of sensory issues in teens. If your child has been dealing with a sensory challenge due to ADHD, OCD, or another mental health concern, professional care can address the root causes of the problem and help them develop more effective coping skills.

Learn More About Teen Mental Health Treatment in Southern California

If your teen’s life has been disrupted by sensory issues related to a mental or behavioral health concern, Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center is here to help.

Our center in Agoura Hills, CA, is a trusted source of customized residential treatment for adolescents ages 12-18. Young people who heal with us benefit from a dynamic approach that incorporates evidence-based therapies, customized academic support, and close coordination with parents. 

To learn more call 800-275-1707 or verify your insurance now.