Content Knowledge
Chapter 5 - ASD Sensory Systems

Lesson 1: Types of Sensory Processing

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Sensory Systems

The five main senses include:

  • sight (vision)

  • smell (olfactory),

  • taste (gustatory)

However, are there really only fives senses? No! There are less known sensory systems that are integral to our body functions. These sensory systems include:

  • Vestibular System - controls balance and spatial orientation and processes information about the body’s position and movement in space

  • Proprioceptive System - provides the brain information on the body’s position and movement, which allows us to know where we are in space (body awareness)

  • Interoceptive System - detects and processes internal bodily states (e.g., hunger, thirst, pain, need to urinate or have a bowel movement)

  • touch (tactile)

  • hearing (auditory)

  • The vestibular system supports individuals in maintaining balance (equilibrium) and spatial orientation by processing information and alerting the brain.

    The vestibular system is located in the inner ear. Parts of the inner ear are responsible for:

    • otolith organs in inner ear detect linear accelerations

      • saccule - detects vertical movements (up, down)

      • utricle - detects horizontal movements (forwards, backwards, sideways)

    • semicircular canals - detect angular acceleration (head rotations)

    Disruption to the vestibular system can cause imbalance and incoordination.

  • The proprioceptive system alerts our brain on the position and movement of our body, allowing us to move without relying only on vision.

    The proprioceptive system is able to do this through specialized sensory receptors located in our muscles, tendons, and joints.

    Without our proprioceptive system, we would have no sense of body awareness.

*Note: The interoceptive system will be further discussed in the next lesson. Continue the course to learn more.

Isn’t it wild how the vestibular system is located in a tiny part of the inner ear?

Types of Sensory Processing

The four types of sensory processing are based on Dunn’s Model of Sensory Processing, a model developed by an occupational therapist named Winnie Dunn. They are listed below (OT Theory, 2024):

  • Sensory seeking - individuals with high thresholds and active self-regulation strategies, seeking out intense sensory input

  • Sensory avoiding - individuals with low thresholds and active self-regulation strategies, actively avoiding certain sensory inputs

  • Sensory sensitivity - individuals with low thresholds and passive self regulation strategies, being easily overwhelmed by sensory input

  • Low registration - individuals with high thresholds and passive self regulation strategies, appearing as if they don’t notice sensory input

  • The following are general vestibular regulatory strategies:

    • swinging (linear, rotary)

    • jumping

    • spinning

    • scooter-board activities while sitting (self propulsion)

    • riding a bike (linear vestibular input)

    • dancing

  • The following are general proprioceptive regulatory strategies:

    • heavy work (carrying heavy items, pushing heavy items)

    • pulling activities (tug of war, pulling a cart)

    • crawling, animal walks (e.g., bear brawls, frog leaps, wheel barrow walking, etc.)

    • weight-bearing activities (standing, walking, push-ups, etc.)