Sensory Processing Glossary (A–Z)

Clear, gentle definitions for sensory terms — explained in everyday language (neurodivergent-friendly, shame-free, practical).

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Gentle note: This glossary includes terms related to sensory overwhelm, distress, and regulation. You can pause, skip, or come back later. If you feel unsafe right now, please reach out for support (options are included near the bottom).

Welcome

Learn sensory language at your own pace

This page gathers common sensory processing terms (including sensory-seeking, sensory-avoidant, overload, shutdown, and regulation supports). Use the A–Z bar, search, or scroll.

“Your needs are valid — even when others can’t see them.”

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Helpful table

Core sensory systems (quick guide)

Everyone uses these systems — but people can be more sensitive or more seeking in different areas.

System What it helps with Common signs (sensitive / seeking)
Auditory (sound) Hearing, filtering background noise, speech clarity Sensitive: covers ears, startled by sudden noises.
Seeking: hums, likes loud music, makes sound to focus.
Visual (sight) Lighting, movement, visual clutter, reading Sensitive: avoids bright lights, headaches, overwhelmed by clutter.
Seeking: watches spinning objects, enjoys patterns.
Tactile (touch) Textures, temperature, pressure, comfort Sensitive: dislikes tags, seams, sticky hands.
Seeking: likes fidgets, textured items, deep pressure hugs.
Olfactory (smell) Scent detection, appetite cues, safety signals Sensitive: nausea from perfumes/cleaners.
Seeking: smells objects/foods for grounding.
Gustatory (taste) Food preferences, mouth comfort, sensory eating Sensitive: strong aversions, gagging, picky eating.
Seeking: craves crunchy/spicy/sour to feel regulated.
Vestibular (movement) Balance, motion, spatial orientation Sensitive: motion sickness, avoids swings.
Seeking: spins, rocks, loves jumping/movement breaks.
Proprioception (body position) Body awareness, force control, coordination Sensitive: dislikes being bumped.
Seeking: crashes into cushions, heavy work helps calm.
Interoception (internal signals) Hunger, thirst, pain, toileting cues, emotions Low awareness: forgets to eat/drink, late bathroom cues.
High awareness: strong discomfort from small internal sensations.
A

Letter A

Auditory Sensitivity
Finding certain sounds painful, distracting, or overwhelming.Example: “Hand dryers feel too loud, so I use ear defenders.”
Auditory Seeking
Using sound to regulate or focus (humming, tapping, music).Example: “I hum while working to help my brain stay steady.”
Adaptive Equipment
Tools that reduce sensory strain (earplugs, tinted glasses, chewy jewelry).Example: “Tinted lenses help with fluorescent lights.”
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
The system that controls automatic body responses (calm/alert states). Sensory overload can push the ANS into high alert.Example: “When overload hits, my body goes into alarm mode.”
B

Letter B

Body Awareness
Knowing where your body is in space (often linked to proprioception).Example: “Heavy work helps my body feel ‘located’.”
Background Noise Filtering
The brain’s ability to ignore unimportant sounds; some people can’t filter well.Example: “In cafés, every sound arrives at the same volume.”
Brushing Protocol
A touch-based sensory strategy sometimes used by OTs (only with professional guidance).Example: “We only trialled this with an OT’s support.”
Burnout (sensory-related)
Exhaustion after long periods of masking, stress, and sensory overload.Example: “After weeks of noise, I crash and need recovery time.”
C

Letter C

Compression
Deep pressure input (compression clothing, weighted items) that can feel calming.Example: “A weighted lap pad helps me sit through meetings.”
Chewelry
Chew-safe jewelry designed for oral sensory needs (safer than chewing pens).Example: “Chewelry helps me focus without hurting my nails.”
Co-Regulation
Being supported to regulate through another person’s calm presence and cues.Example: “When someone speaks gently, my body settles faster.”
Cognitive Load
Mental effort required to process inputs; sensory strain increases cognitive load quickly.Example: “Bright lights make thinking feel heavier.”
D

Letter D

Deep Pressure
Firm touch input that may reduce stress and improve body awareness.Example: “A tight blanket feels grounding after school.”
Dysregulation
When the body/brain can’t stay steady (too hyper or too shut down).Example: “When I’m dysregulated, I can’t use words well.”
Desensitisation
Gradual exposure to build tolerance; should be respectful and never forced.Example: “We did gentle steps, not ‘push through’.”
Dissociation (sensory overload)
Feeling spaced out or disconnected; sometimes happens when input is too intense.Example: “I go foggy and can’t track what’s happening.”
E

Letter E

Ear Defenders
Hearing protection that lowers volume without needing complete silence.Example: “Ear defenders help at supermarkets.”
Environmental Adaptation
Changing surroundings to reduce sensory strain (lighting, seating, noise).Example: “We swapped to warm lighting and it helped immediately.”
Executive Function + Sensory Strain
Overload can reduce planning, memory, and task-starting abilities.Example: “When I’m overloaded, simple steps feel impossible.”
Emotional-Sensory Link
Sensory discomfort can look like “behaviour,” but it may be pain or overwhelm.Example: “I wasn’t rude — the sound felt unbearable.”
F

Letter F

Fidget
A small object used for regulation and focus (tactile or movement input).Example: “A smooth stone helps me stay present.”
Fluorescent Light Sensitivity
Discomfort from bright, flickery lighting common in schools/offices.Example: “I wear a cap to block glare.”
Fight / Flight / Freeze
Stress responses that can be triggered by sensory overload, not just fear.Example: “Noise makes my body go into flight mode.”
Food Texture Sensitivity
Strong reactions to certain textures; not “picky,” often sensory-based.Example: “Mushy textures make me gag.”
G

Letter G

Glare
Harsh brightness that can cause headaches or visual overwhelm.Example: “Glare off the whiteboard makes reading harder.”
Grounding
Returning attention to the present using senses and body cues.Example: “I press my feet into the floor and name 5 things I see.”
Gestalt Perception
Processing the “whole picture” first; sensory clutter can disrupt it.Example: “Too many posters make it hard to find the key info.”
Gustatory (Taste) Processing
How taste is experienced and regulated (cravings/aversions).Example: “Sour lollies help me feel awake and steady.”
H

Letter H

Headphones (noise-cancelling)
Tools to reduce auditory input and prevent overload.Example: “Noise-cancelling helps me shop without panic.”
Heavy Work
Proprioceptive activities using muscles/joints (carry, push, pull) that can calm.Example: “Carrying books helps me regulate before class.”
Hyperacusis
Extreme sensitivity to sound; some everyday noises may feel painful.Example: “Cutlery clinking hurts my ears.”
Hypersensitivity
Increased sensitivity to input (sound/light/touch etc.).Example: “A tag feels like sandpaper.”
I

Letter I

Interoception
Sensing internal body cues (hunger, thirst, pain, toileting, emotions).Example: “I don’t notice hunger until I’m shaky.”
Interoceptive Awareness
How clearly someone can read internal signals; may be low or intense.Example: “I need reminders to drink water.”
Inhibition (sensory + impulse)
Overload can reduce impulse control; behaviour may be a regulation attempt.Example: “When overwhelmed, I blurt or bolt.”
Intensity Threshold
How much input becomes “too much.” Thresholds can change by day/time.Example: “After work my noise threshold is lower.”
J

Letter J

Joint Compression
Proprioceptive input through joints (push-ups, wall pushes, therapy bands) that can feel organising.Example: “Wall pushes help my body ‘settle’.”
Jittery (sensory overload)
Restless body feeling that can happen when input is too intense.Example: “Bright lights make me feel jittery and jumpy.”
K

Letter K

Kinaesthetic (Movement) Learning
Learning best through movement and hands-on doing; sensory needs often overlap here.Example: “I remember better when I can move.”
Kinesthetic Input
Movement-based sensory input (stretching, pacing, bouncing) used to regulate.Example: “A short walk resets my nervous system.”
L

Letter L

Light Sensitivity
Discomfort from brightness, flicker, or visual clutter.Example: “I prefer warm lamps over overhead lights.”
Low Registration
Not noticing input easily (sound, touch, body cues). Often looks like “unaware.”Example: “I don’t notice my name being called.”
Loop Earplugs
Filtered earplugs designed to reduce volume while keeping speech clearer (brand example).Example: “Filtered plugs help in noisy spaces.”
Look-Listen-Feel Check-In
A simple regulation step: check environment, sound, and body sensations.Example: “I scan the room and notice my shoulders are tense.”
M

Letter M

Meltdown
An involuntary overload response (not a choice). May include crying, shouting, or needing to escape.Example: “After too much noise, I melt down — I need quiet to recover.”
Misophonia
Strong distress response to specific sounds (chewing, tapping, sniffing).Example: “Chewing sounds make me feel panicky or angry.”
Motor Planning (Praxis)
Planning and organising movement; sensory differences can affect this.Example: “Multi-step movements feel confusing without practice.”
Movement Break
Short movement reset used to prevent overload and support focus.Example: “Two minutes of stretching helps me stay regulated.”
N

Letter N

Nervous System Regulation
Ways we help our body move toward calm/steady states (breathing, deep pressure, movement).Example: “I regulate with slow exhale breathing and a weighted blanket.”
Noise Floor
General background noise level in an environment (classroom, office).Example: “A high noise floor drains me fast.”
Nausea (sensory-related)
Some sensory inputs can trigger nausea (smell, motion, lights).Example: “Perfume can make me feel sick.”
O

Letter O

Olfactory Sensitivity
Strong reactions to smells (cleaners, perfumes, food).Example: “Scented products give me headaches.”
Oral Sensory Needs
Seeking or avoiding mouth sensations (chewing, textures, flavours).Example: “Crunchy snacks help me focus.”
Overload
When the brain receives more input than it can process; can lead to meltdown/shutdown.Example: “After the mall, I need quiet to recover.”
Occupational Therapy (OT)
A support service that may help with sensory strategies, daily living, and regulation tools.Example: “OT helped us build a sensory-friendly routine.”
P

Letter P

Proprioception
Sense of body position and force; heavy work can support this system.Example: “I bump into things when my proprioception is ‘low’.”
Pressure Seeking
Wanting firm input (tight clothes, hugs, weighted items) to feel regulated.Example: “A compression hoodie helps me feel safe.”
Praxis
Motor planning skills; can be impacted by sensory differences.Example: “I need extra time to learn new movements.”
Predictability
Knowing what’s coming can reduce sensory anxiety (routine, warnings, visuals).Example: “If I know the schedule, my body stays calmer.”
Q

Letter Q

Quiet Corner
A low-stimulation space used to prevent or recover from overload.Example: “I use the quiet corner for 5 minutes to reset.”
Quick Escape Plan
A short plan for leaving overwhelming environments safely (signals, exits, supports).Example: “If it’s too loud, I step outside and text ‘need a break’.”
R

Letter R

Regulation
Keeping the nervous system steady enough to cope, learn, and connect.Example: “Regulation helps me access my skills.”
Recovery Time
Time needed after overload to return to baseline; varies by person and day.Example: “After a noisy day, I need a quiet evening.”
Routine Supports
Structures that reduce sensory/cognitive strain (visual schedules, timers).Example: “A timer helps me transition without panic.”
Responsive Environment
Spaces that adapt to needs rather than forcing people to “push through.”Example: “Dim lights + quiet zones help everyone.”
S

Letter S

Sensory Processing
How the brain takes in, organises, and responds to sensory input (sound, touch, movement, etc.).Example: “My brain processes noise differently — I need breaks.”
Sensory Overload
Too much input at once (or over time), leading to distress or shutdown.Example: “Bright lights + noise together overload me.”
Sensory Diet
A planned set of sensory activities/supports across the day (often guided by an OT).Example: “Movement breaks every hour help prevent overload.”
Sensory Seeking
Needing more input to feel regulated (movement, pressure, sound).Example: “I bounce my leg to stay focused.”
Sensory Avoiding
Reducing input because it’s too intense (noise, crowds, textures).Example: “I shop at quiet times to avoid overload.”
Shutdown
An involuntary “power saving” response; may look like silence, stillness, or withdrawal.Example: “I can’t speak during shutdown — I need time.”
Stimming
Self-stimulating movement/sound used for regulation (rocking, flapping, humming).Example: “Stimming helps me stay calm and focused.”
T

Letter T

Tactile Sensitivity
Strong reactions to touch/texture (clothing seams, sticky hands).Example: “I cut tags out because they distract all day.”
Tactile Seeking
Touching textures/objects to regulate or focus.Example: “I like textured fidgets during meetings.”
Transition Support
Help moving between tasks/places to reduce sensory stress (warnings, visuals).Example: “A 2-minute warning prevents panic.”
Trigger (sensory)
An input that quickly increases distress (sound, smell, light, texture).Example: “The alarm sound is a trigger for me.”
U

Letter U

Under-Responsivity
Not noticing sensory input easily; may look like low awareness or “not listening.”Example: “I don’t notice cold until I’m freezing.”
Up-Regulation
Strategies that increase alertness/energy when feeling foggy (movement, crunchy foods).Example: “A brisk walk helps me wake up my brain.”
Urgent Sensory Needs
When input is so intense you must escape quickly to stay safe and regulated.Example: “I need to leave now — my body is overloading.”
V

Letter V

Vestibular System
Movement/balance system; can be sensitive (motion sickness) or seeking (spinning).Example: “Swinging helps me feel calm, but cars make me sick.”
Visual Clutter
Too many things in view; can overload visual processing and attention.Example: “Busy walls make it hard to focus on the teacher.”
Visual Supports
Pictures/words to reduce cognitive load (schedules, labels, steps).Example: “A checklist helps me transition smoothly.”
W

Letter W

Weighted Blanket
A heavy blanket providing deep pressure; helpful for some, not for everyone.Example: “A small weighted throw helps my body relax.”
White Noise
Steady sound used to mask unpredictable noise (fans, apps).Example: “White noise helps me sleep through street sounds.”
Window of Tolerance
The range where you can cope and think clearly; sensory overload can push you outside it.Example: “I need breaks to stay in my window.”
X

Letter X

Xylitol Gum (oral strategy)
Chewing gum can provide oral sensory input for some people (check dental/medical needs).Example: “Chewing gum helps me focus in lectures.”
X-Axis “Too Much” Point
A personal “line” where input becomes overload (not a clinical term, but useful language).Example: “After 30 minutes in crowds, I hit my ‘too much’ point.”
Y

Letter Y

Yawning (regulation cue)
Sometimes a body sign of stress release or shifting nervous system state.Example: “When I yawn a lot, it can mean I’m coming down from overload.”
“Yes/No” Sensory Map
A simple list of what helps vs. harms (sounds, lights, textures).Example: “Yes: dim lights. No: strong perfume.”
Z

Letter Z

Zone (regulation zone)
A way of describing your state (calm, alert, overwhelmed) to guide support.Example: “I’m in the red zone — I need quiet.”
Zero-Stim Space
A very low stimulation environment used for recovery (quiet, low light, minimal input).Example: “I rest in a zero-stim space after overload.”

Practical supports

Accommodations & sensory-friendly options

  • Sound: ear defenders, filtered earplugs, quiet hours, seating away from speakers.
  • Light: warm lamps, dimmers, tinted lenses, hats, reduce screen brightness.
  • Touch: tag-free clothing, gloves for messy tasks, preferred textures at home/school.
  • Movement: movement breaks, wobble cushion, standing option, short walks.
  • Smell: fragrance-free spaces/products, ventilation, scent-free policies.
  • Food: safe foods, texture options, predictable meals, no forcing.
  • Recovery: quiet corner, exit plan, decompression time after events.

NZ note: For school settings, accommodations can be documented through learning support plans and classroom adjustments (ask your school’s Learning Support Coordinator / SENCO equivalent).

If you need support

Help now (NZ + global)

If you feel unsafe or overwhelmed right now, please reach out for support.

  • New Zealand: If you are in immediate danger, call 111.
  • NZ mental health support: You can contact local crisis services via your region’s DHB/Te Whatu Ora options, or talk to your GP for urgent pathways.
  • Global: If you’re outside NZ, use your local emergency number or trusted crisis line in your country.
  • Find a crisis line by country: search “crisis helpline + your country” if you don’t have the number saved.

If speaking is hard, consider texting or messaging a trusted person with: “I’m overwhelmed and need support right now.”

Thank you for learning with care

Want more? Explore other glossaries in the Glossaries & Definitions Index.

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