Many of us think that perception and behavior are two separate things and that processing stimuli and their parameters, such as intensity, speed, etc. has to do with cognition alone. But whether we are aware of it or not, what we perceive can have a considerable impact on our emotions, leading to an array of responses which in turn affect our behavior.

Sensory processing (or integration) is our brain’s ability to organize incoming sensory information. This encompasses data from our five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch), kinesthetic system (awareness of location, movements, and actions), and vestibular system (supporting balance, posture, and spatial orientation).

Individuals with sensory sensitivities process external stimulation differently than neurotypical individuals. They can both overreact and underreact to sensorial input. Sounds that are normal to most people might be so upsetting that they prompt great emotional upset