1.5 Give examples of behaviours that may suggest an individual is hyposensitive or hypersensitive

This guide will help you with answers for NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism 1.5 Give examples of behaviours that may suggest an individual is hyposensitive or hypersensitive.

Supporting individuals with autism requires a deep understanding of their unique sensory experiences. One key aspect is identifying behaviours that suggest hyposensitivity or hypersensitivity. Let’s look into this important area.

What is Sensory Sensitivity?

People with autism often experience the world differently due to variations in sensory sensitivity. Sensory sensitivity can be divided into two categories:

1. Hyposensitivity: Under-responsiveness to sensory stimuli.
2. Hypersensitivity: Over-responsiveness to sensory stimuli.

Identifying Hyposensitivity

Hyposensitivity means that an individual may have a reduced sense of stimuli. Here are some behaviours that might suggest hyposensitivity:

Touch

• Seeking Deep Pressure: They may constantly press down hard on objects or against their own skin.
• Unaware of Pain: Not responding to injury or pain in a way one might expect, such as minimal reaction to cuts or bruises.

Sound

• Volumes Up: Preference for excessively loud music or noises to feel the effect.
• Ignoring Sounds: Frequent failure to respond when spoken to or called, as they may not register quieter sounds.

Visual

• Staring at Bright Lights: Spending time looking at the sun, lamps, or bright screens.
• Lack of Reaction to Visual Cues: Not noticing visual warnings, signals, or changes in their environment.

Smell and Taste

• Seeks Strong Tastes/Scents: Eating very spicy or strongly flavoured foods, or holding objects with strong scents close to the nose.
• Non-Discrimination: Not noticing unpleasant or hazardous smells.

Proprioception (Body Awareness)

• Needs Movement: Engaging in activities that involve heavy pushing, pulling, or dragging.
• Clumsiness: Frequent bumping into objects, as they may not perceive their own body’s position well.

Vestibular (Balance)

• Love of Spinning: Enjoying spinning activities excessively, as it helps them feel centred.
• Constant Movement: May need to be in near-constant motion, such as rocking or bouncing.

Identifying Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity, on the other hand, means an individual may have an exaggerated response to stimuli. Here’s a look at some indicative behaviours:

Touch

• Avoidance of Light Touch: Discomfort with light touch, preferring loose clothing or avoiding hugs.
• Extreme Reaction to Pain: Overreacting to minor cuts, scrapes, or discomfort.

Sound

• Covering Ears: Frequently covering ears or becoming distressed by typical environmental sounds.
• Avoiding Loud Environments: Distress in crowded, noisy settings, such as shopping centres or classrooms.

Visual

• Sensitivity to Light: Squinting or avoiding staring directly at bright lights; preference for dimly lit rooms.
• Overwhelm by Clutter: Becoming anxious or overwhelmed in visually busy or cluttered spaces.

Smell and Taste

• Repulsed by Certain Scents: Extreme adverse reactions to strong smells, whether pleasant or unpleasant.
• Picky Eating: Restrictive eating habits due to strong taste preferences or aversions.

Proprioception (Body Awareness)

• Avoids Movement: Reluctance to engage in activities involving lifting or moving heavy objects.
• Protective Posture: May often stay still, using a protective posture to avoid unexpected touch.

Vestibular (Balance)

• Aversion to Spinning: Negative reaction to activities like swings or merry-go-rounds.
• Fear of Heights: Extreme fear or avoidance of climbing or elevated positions.

Real-World Examples

Case Study 1: Hyposensitivity

Jane, a 7-year-old girl with autism, often seeks harsh sensory input. She loves the sensation of deep pressure and will wrap herself tightly in blankets. Jane also frequently engages in spinning activities on a swivel chair, needing that strong vestibular input to feel balanced and centred.

Case Study 2: Hypersensitivity

Tom, a 10-year-old boy with autism, shows hypersensitivity to sound. He often covers his ears in noisy environments and prefers to stay in quiet, dimly lit rooms. His clothing choices are specific; he avoids seams, labels, and tight-fitting clothes due to tactile sensitivity.

How to Support

It’s key for support workers to tailor their approach based on an individual’s sensory sensitivity:

• Observation: Regularly observe and document any noted behaviours related to sensitivity.
• Environment Modification: Adjust the living and learning environment to minimise distress, such as using noise-cancelling headphones or soft, seamless clothing.
• Engaging Activities: Provide activities that meet the sensory needs, like weighted blankets for hyposensitivity or soft, steady music for hypersensitivity.
• Communication: Ensure clear communication with family and other carers to maintain consistency in handling sensory needs.

Example answers for unit 1.5 Give examples of behaviours that may suggest an individual is hyposensitive or hypersensitive

Example Answer 1:
One individual I support, Sarah, often seeks out deep pressure. She loves using weighted blankets and enjoys tight hugs. This behaviour suggests hyposensitivity to touch as she requires extra sensory input to feel comfortable.

Example Answer 2:
I noticed that Robert frequently covers his ears when we’re in loud environments like shopping centres. He seems to become overwhelmed by the noise, which indicates hypersensitivity to sound. He feels distressed even at sound levels that others may find normal.

Example Answer 3:
Jenny tends to stare at bright lights, whether it’s lamps or the sun. She also gets very close to the TV screen. These actions suggest she might be hyposensitive to visual stimuli, needing stronger input to engage her senses fully.

Example Answer 4:
Harold reacts strongly to certain smells, like perfumes and cleaning products. He often wrinkles his nose and asks to leave the room. This indicates hypersensitivity to smell, as even mild scents can be too overwhelming for him.

Example Answer 5:
Even slight pain, such as a small scrape or bump, causes extreme reactions in Emily. She cries loudly and takes a long time to calm down. This behaviour aligns with hypersensitivity to pain since her reaction is much more intense compared to others.

Example Answer 6:
During playtime, Peter often prefers to engage in activities that involve heavy lifting or pushing, like moving furniture or playing with large blocks. This indicates he might be hyposensitive to proprioceptive input, requiring substantial physical engagement to feel satisfied.

Final Thoughts

Awareness and understanding of hyposensitivity and hypersensitivity can dramatically improve the quality of life for individuals with autism. Support workers should stay observant and flexible, providing tailored assistance to meet each individual’s sensory needs. Through these efforts, we can create a more supportive and understanding environment.