Our sensory experiences shape our daily lives in profound ways. They allow us to perceive the world around us, communicate with others, and navigate the complex terrain of social interactions. However, for some individuals, sensory experiences can be overwhelming, stressful, or even painful. These individuals may experience hypersensitivity, defensiveness, avoidance, or seeking behaviours in response to certain sensory stimuli. This phenomenon is known as sensory over-reactivity and can be debilitating for those who experience it.
So, what causes sensory over-reactivity? The answer may lie in the fascinating world of mechanoreceptors - specialized sensory cells that respond to mechanical pressure, movement, and stretch. Mechanoreceptors are essential for our perception of touch, proprioception (our sense of body position and movement), and interception (our internal bodily sensations, such as hunger, thirst, and pain). They are located throughout our body, including in our skin, muscles, joints, and internal organs.
When everything is working as it should, mechanoreceptors help us to navigate the world around us in an effortless and enjoyable way. However, when things go awry, mechanoreceptors can contribute to sensory over-reactivity (SOR). For example, someone with tactile over-reactivity may have mechanoreceptors in their skin that are hypersensitive to certain textures, temperatures, or pressures. This can lead to extreme discomfort or even pain from everyday sensations, such as clothing tags, seams, or labels. Similarly, someone with auditory over-reactivity may have mechanoreceptors in their ear that are hypersensitive to certain frequencies or volumes of sound. This can make even low-level background noise feel overwhelming and distressing.
The Mechanoreceptor Marvel
Mechanoreceptors are sensory receptors responsible for detecting mechanical stimuli, such as pressure, touch, vibration, and stretch. They are found throughout our bodies, from our skin to our internal organs and are some of the most vital receptors in warning us of protentional dangers or changes; They are also responsible for telling us if we have hurt our selves or even if we have stepped on something gross.
These receptors are present in the skin that respond to stimuli such as pressure, vibration, and stretching. They are responsible for transmitting information regarding touch, pressure, texture, and other sensations to the brain. There are four types of mechanoreceptors present in the skin: Merkel cells, Meissner corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles, and Ruffini endings.
Merkel cells
These are located close to the surface of the skin and respond to light touch and pressure.
They found in the dermal papillae (This is located just under the first layer of skin) and mainly respond to light touch and changes in surface texture.
Pacinian corpuscles
These are found deep in the skin (The third layer aka fatty layer) and are highly sensitive to vibration and pressure.
Ruffini endings
are found in the deep layers of the skin and respond to skin stretch and pressure changes.
In addition to mechanoreceptors, there are other types of sensory receptors that also play a big role in sensory processing issues with touch - These receptors include thermoreceptors, nociceptors, and proprioceptors.
Thermoreceptors
These are responsible for detecting temperatures and changes in the environment. When clothing material is too hot or cold, it can activate these receptors and cause discomfort or pain; these are located in the 2nd layer of skin.
Nociceptors
These are responsible for detecting pain or injury in the skin. Certain fabrics or clothing design features may activate these receptors causing discomfort or pain.
Proprioceptors
These are responsible for transmitting information regarding body position and movement. Certain clothing designs or materials may interfere with proprioceptive input and cause discomfort or difficulty with movement. For example, tight or restrictive clothing may interfere with the ability to move comfortably or cause a sense of pressure on the body.
What is Sensory over-reactivity (SOR)?
Sensory over-reactivity (SOR) is a condition in which an individual experiences an 'exaggerated' response to sensory stimuli, meaning they become overwhelmed by even small or routine sensory experiences. This can include struggles with loud noises, bright lights, certain textures or smells, and other sensory inputs that can cause discomfort or distress. It is often associated with neurological conditions such as autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Tourette syndrome, as well as anxiety disorders.
There is a strong link between sensory over-reactivity and neurological disorders because the brain processes sensory information in a complex way. Neural circuits responsible for sensory information processing can be disrupted or function abnormally in people with neurological disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or Tourette Syndrome. These disruptions can lead to sensory over-reactivity, making it difficult to process sensory input in a typical way.
Additionally, neurological disorders are often associated with other characteristics that can exacerbate sensory over-reactivity, such as anxiety, sensitivity to stimuli, and difficulties with communication and coping. As such, many people with neurological disorders may also experience sensory over-reactivity and may require specific accommodations and therapies to manage it.
Sensory Over-Reactivity: A Complex Puzzle
Sensory over-reactivity (SOR), is often associated with conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), and it occurs when the brain interprets sensory information more intensely than usual. This heightened sensitivity can result in discomfort, anxiety, or even pain in response to seemingly ordinary stimuli.
My daughter has extremely high over reacting receptors to the point the majority of all materials cause her large amounts of discomfort. The majority of the time she is often in the buff because of this issue. These responses to discomfort can even show physically, it has been known often for her skin to react in red marks, welts and even sores just from the touch of clothing.
When a person has sensory over-reactivity, their brain interprets sensory information in a way that is more intense than usual. This means that even everyday sensations, such as touch, sound, light, or temperature changes, can trigger an exaggerated response in the brain. In the case of temperature changes, thermoreceptors located in the skin send signals to the brain when there is a change in temperature. Then, the brain interprets these signals and produces a response based on the level of sensitivity.
For people with sensory over-reactivity, even slight temperature changes can be interpreted by the brain as extreme, causing a heightened awareness of their thermal environment. This can result in discomfort or even pain as the brain struggles to process the conflicting signals coming in from the skin. For example, a slight breeze or draft in a room may produce intense feelings of cold, making the person feel uncomfortable, anxious or distressed.
In the context of ASD and SPD, individuals with these conditions may have a heightened level of sensory over-reactivity. This means that they are more prone to experiencing discomfort, anxiety, or pain in response to ordinary stimuli like temperature changes.
The Historical Perspective
The study of sensory over-reactivity (SOR) dates back several decades. Early research focused on understanding conditions like ASD and SPD, which often involve sensory processing challenges. Scientists gradually uncovered the role of mechanoreceptors and their complex interplay with the nervous system.
- One study conducted on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared their tactile sensitivity to neurotypical developing children. The study found that children with ASD had a significantly higher density of mechanoreceptors in their skin. The authors suggested that this could lead to increased sensitivity to touch in these children (Davies & Gavin, 2007).
- Another study investigated the relationship between tactile sensitivity and social communication in children with ASD. The authors found that those with SOR were more likely to have poorer social communication skills. They also found a correlation between SOR and increased sensitivity to light and sound (Ben-Sasson et al., 2009).
- A study on sensory processing in adults with ASD found that they had altered sensory sensitivity in the touch and sound modalities compared to neurotypical individuals. The authors suggested that sensory over-reactivity in these individuals may be due to differences in the processing of sensory information in the brain (Neil et al., 2016).
- A study on the sensory processing abilities of children with ADHD found that those with the condition were more likely to exhibit SOR. The authors concluded that SOR may play a significant role in the difficulties experienced by children with ADHD in daily life (Solomon & Onyper, 2014).
These studies suggest that there is a strong relationship between sensory over-reactivity and mechanoreceptors, and that this hypersensitivity may impact individuals with ASD and ADHD in particular. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying sensory over-reactivity and to develop effective interventions for those who experience it.
It's known that humans have evolved from being highly sensitive to certain stimuli, such as loud noises and bright lights, as these were used to indicate potential threats to our survival. It is possible that these heightened sensitivity's just simply evolved or should I say 'desensitised' over time because we now have way less survival risks as our Ancestors. When it comes to people with overly heightened sense, I really do believe that these people are just more closer to our ancestors then people that have non heightened senses. It's very much like the well known fact that we do indeed have a tail bone which obviously was longer to help with stability.
Recent scientific advancements have shed light on the mechanisms behind sensory over-reactivity. Studies have shown that individuals with sensory processing challenges may have altered neural pathways and a heightened responsiveness of mechanoreceptors. This heightened sensitivity can make everyday experiences pretty overwhelming, so dismissing the blatant science to it and classing people like this as just 'sensitive' really is causing misinformation on the true extent of the facts.
Coping Strategies
Coping strategies for people with sensory over-reactivity can be very complex and challenging due to the multiple factors that contribute to this condition. Sensory over-reactivity is often associated with differences in the typical biology of mechanoreceptors, such as the sensory cells found in our skin that respond to physical pressure. People with sensory over-reactivity may have more sensitive or reactive mechanoreceptors than people without this condition.
Conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or Tourette Syndrome can disrupt neural circuits responsible for sensory information processing or cause an overactive reaction to sensory stimuli. Mental health conditions such as anxiety can also contribute to sensory over-reactivity, as excessive worry or preoccupation can exacerbate feelings of being overwhelmed by sensory input.
Thus, managing sensory over-reactivity requires a holistic approach that takes into account the person's individual differences in biology and neurological factors, as well as any underlying mental health conditions.
For those facing sensory over-reactivity, coping strategies can significantly improve their quality of life.
Here are some effective techniques:
Sensory Integration Therapy
Sensory Integration Therapy is a sensory-motor therapy that aims to help individuals with sensory processing difficulties integrate and process sensory information in a more organized and efficient way. Sensory Integration Therapy is typically used to help children with neurological disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or ADHD, but it may also benefit adults with sensory processing issues.
During Sensory Integration Therapy, a trained therapist provides a structured and specifically designed sensory environment that includes various sensory experiences, such as swinging, bouncing, touching textured materials, and playing with weighted objects. The therapist carefully selects the sensory experiences that stimulate and challenge the individual's proprioceptive, vestibular, and tactile systems, which are responsible for monitoring the body's position, movement, and touch sensation.
By actively engaging in various sensory experiences, the individual is encouraged to explore, enhance, and integrate their sensory skills. The therapist works with the individual to help them recognize and respond to sensory stimuli that causes them discomfort in a more easier way. Through a slow continuous repeated exposure, the individual may gradually become more comfortable with and better able to tolerate certain sensations that they could not before.
BUT - While Sensory Integration Therapy is generally considered to be 'safe', it is important to note that it may actually cause a trauma like response if the person has a phobia of certain sensations ETC. It is not effective for everyone with sensory processing issues and should NEVER be used for every individual.
I believe it should only be used for very minor sensory annoyances for example - such as if a person gets repulsed by the smell of certain things or has a very mild annoyance to some textures. This sort of therapy should be conducted by a trusted licensed trained therapist in a controlled environment to ensure it is done safely catered specifically to that individual. After all SOR is not something that can be 'fixed', but we can help people manage the symptoms easier.
Deep Pressure Techniques
Deep Pressure Techniques are a type of sensory integration therapy that involves the application of firm and deep touch pressure to the body. This can be helpful for individuals with over reactive mechanoreceptors as it provides a calming input to the nervous system, which may help to reduce feelings of overwhelm and discomfort associated with touch. Anyone can do this form of therapy, its not one that needs to be just done by professionals.
I must admit I actually use this a lot with my daughter and even though she has very over reactive mechanoreceptors it is the only way to help get her to regulate. With my daughter simple squeezy cuddles or the feeling of weight on her lap (yes I do sometimes fling myself on her lap) it really makes a difference to sort of trick her senses in a way.
Where my own methods may be a bit different, there are actually many different Deep Pressure Techniques methods such as wearing compression clothing or weighted blankets, receiving deep tissue massage or manual pressure, or participating in activities that involve deep pressure inputs, such as yoga or resistance band training.
Environmental Modifications
Environmental Modifications involve changes made to the physical surroundings of an individual with sensory processing difficulties to create a sensory-friendly environment. Sensory-friendly environments are designed to accommodate an individual's unique sensory needs and reduce sensory overload, which can help reduce distress.
Creating sensory-friendly environments generally involves a combination of reducing or eliminating sensory input that may be overwhelming, and incorporating sensory elements that positively affect the individual. For example, controlled lighting, sound, and tactile elements can be adjusted to meet the individual's sensory needs.
Environmental Modifications can be used at home, in school, or in public spaces to create a more supportive environment for individuals with sensory processing difficulties. However, it is important to note that environmental modifications are personalized, and accommodations and strategies should be tailored to the individual's unique sensory needs.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists play a crucial role in addressing sensory over-reactivity by providing tailored strategies and exercises to individuals with sensory processing difficulties. Here's an explanation of how occupational therapists can help:
- Assessment: Occupational therapists first conduct comprehensive assessments to understand an individual's sensory processing difficulties and determine the specific areas of sensory over-reactivity. They gather information through interviews, observations, and standardized assessments to gain insights into the individual's sensory preferences and aversions.
- Individualized Treatment Plan: Based on the assessment findings, occupational therapists develop an individualized treatment plan. This plan includes specific strategies and exercises to address the individual's sensory over-reactivity. The plan takes into account the person's unique needs and goals, and focuses on helping them achieve optimal participation and quality of life.
- Sensory Integration Therapy: Occupational therapists often utilize sensory integration therapy as an evidence-based method to address sensory over-reactivity. This therapy aims to help individuals effectively process and respond to sensory input by engaging them in purposeful sensory activities. These activities may include swinging, climbing, brushing, deep pressure massage, and other forms of sensory stimulation designed to regulate and organize their sensory system.
- Environmental Modifications: Occupational therapists provide recommendations for environmental modifications to create sensory-friendly environments. They guide individuals and caregivers on adapting lighting, sound, and tactile elements to reduce sensory overload and promote a more comfortable sensory experience.
- Adaptive Strategies: Occupational therapists teach individuals adaptive strategies to help manage sensory over-reactivity in daily life. These strategies may include deep breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, self-regulation techniques, the use of sensory tools or fidget toys, and creating sensory diets to provide a consistent schedule of sensory input throughout the day.
- Collaboration and Education: Occupational therapists work closely with individuals, families, teachers, and other healthcare professionals to provide education and support. They educate individuals and caregivers about sensory processing difficulties, offer guidance on implementing strategies in various environments, and coach them on how to support the individual's sensory needs effectively.
By providing tailored strategies and exercises, occupational therapists can help individuals with sensory over-reactivity improve their sensory regulation, reduce distress, enhance participation in daily activities, and promote overall well-being.
Mechanoreceptors are the unsung heroes of our sensory experiences. These specialized sensory cells in our skin, muscles, joints, and internal organs detect mechanical pressure, vibrations, and stretch. They play a significant role in our perception of touch, proprioception, and interception. When everything is working in harmony, mechanoreceptors help us to navigate the world around us in an effortless and enjoyable way. However, when things go awry, they can contribute to sensory over-reactivity.
Sensory over-reactivity can manifest in different forms, such as hypersensitivity, defensiveness, avoidance, or seeking. For example, someone with tactile over-reactivity may experience extreme discomfort or even pain from certain textures, temperatures, or pressures. Someone with auditory over-reactivity may have difficulty tolerating even low-level background noise. Sensory over-reactivity can be overwhelming, challenging, and isolating - and it's not just a problem for people diagnosed with sensory processing disorder or autism. It affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
Understanding the role of mechanoreceptors in sensory over-reactivity is crucial for developing effective coping strategies. In the past, some of the most successful interventions for sensory over-reactivity were based on sensory integration theory, which posits that sensory processing issues arise from difficulties in processing and organizing sensory input. However, more recent research suggests that the picture is more complex and individualized. For example, some studies suggest that sensory over-reactivity may stem from issues with central inhibition, which involves the brain's ability to filter out irrelevant or distracting sensory information. Others suggest that it may involve over-activation of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates our fight-or-flight response.
What does all of this mean for individuals with sensory challenges? It means that there's no one-size-fits-all solution and that a multifaceted approach is often necessary. A combination of research, historical insights, and coping strategies can empower individuals to navigate a world that might otherwise seem overwhelming.
Moreover, embracing neurodiversity and supporting those with sensory challenges is essential for creating a more inclusive and accommodating society for everyone. Rather than trying to fit everyone into a narrow mould of "normal," we can celebrate the diversity of human experiences and work towards creating environments and experiences that are welcoming for all. By doing so, we can promote greater understanding, empathy, and flourishing for individuals of all abilities.
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