Personal Sensory Seeking: Understand the Need Behind the Behavior (Part 2)
By Erin Clarelli, ms. OTR/L & Jessica Jordan, MS. OTR/L
Age and Why It Matters
From our experience, younger children often use personal sensory seeking as a calming strategy, similar to thumb sucking. As kids grow into the tween and teen years, the input might shift. It can still be regulating, but for some, it may also serve an alerting function—especially when energy or arousal levels are low.
This is where context really matters. We often ask:
What demands are present?
Is the environment overstimulating or understimulating?
What other sensory needs might be unmet?
These types of observations help us better understand why someone might be seeking that input, and give us clues for how to support regulation in a way that’s respectful and effective.
Offering Input in Varied Ways
If someone is seeking personal input in public or structured settings, it can help to build in alternative forms of sensory input throughout the day—especially ones that meet similar needs in a more discreet or appropriate way.
Here are a few occupational therapy-informed strategies we often use with families and clients:
Encourage straddling a chair or peanut ball (in a classroom or home settings) for increased proprioceptive and pelvic input.
Use prone (belly down) positions on an exercise or a peanut ball to complete activities like reading or writing.
Incorporate alternative seating options such as exercise balls, T-stools, or wobble cushions to provide input during seated tasks.
Include yoga poses like Cobra during movement breaks at school, home, or during structured programs.
Use clothing as a tool by offering gentle compression garments like snug boxer briefs or athletic style underwear under clothes.
Apply weighted input through safe means (such as a weighted blanket during evening routines) to meet deep pressure needs.
💡 These supports should always be individualized based on the person’s occupational profile and with guidance from an occupational therapist.
Why Education Matters
When personal sensory seeking is misunderstood, it can become confusing or even harmful to an individual’s sense of safety in their own body. Caregiver or family reactions rooted in discomfort or misinformation can lead to unnecessary shame or even punishment of the sensory-seeker. That’s why education is of the utmost importance—not just for the individual, but for caregivers, educators, and support teams too.
We want kids to feel safe in their bodies, not embarrassed by how they regulate.
Some key themes to explore as a family or support team include:
Teaching the difference between public and private behaviors in a respectful, developmentally appropriate way
Honoring body autonomy—even in young children
Framing sensory needs as valid and worthy of support, not something to be punished or suppressed
The goal isn’t to “stop” the behavior. It’s to understand what the body is asking for, and to help meet that need in a safe and supported way.
Need Help Figuring This Out?
If you're not sure how to approach personal sensory seeking or you're looking for strategies that respect your child while also helping them function day-to-day we can offer a few ways to help. You can book a coaching call, schedule in-person therapy if you're local, or join our educational membership when it opens. Have a question or want to share what’s worked for you? Feel free to comment below.
Helpful Links
If you found this post helpful, you’ll love our therapy resources! Whether you’re a parent or therapist, our apraxia and autism courses are here to offer practical tools, compassionate guidance, and real-world strategies you can use every day.
👨👩👧👦 For Parents & Caregivers: Autism Training | Online Course for Parents and Caregivers
🧑🏫 For Therapists: Therapist Course for Apraxia and Autism | Mentorship for OTs and Therapists
🏥 Work With Us: In-Person Occupational Therapy (San Diego & Long Beach Areas) | Virtual Coaching
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