Episode 139: Sensory sensitivities reflection

The response to our Sensory Sensitivities episode reminded us just how personal and powerful this topic is. Our polls revealed that 85% of our community find the world too full on for their senses some days, and the reflections that followed were honest, funny and deeply moving. We hear from a social worker whose son's autism diagnosis unlocked more than 80 years of unrecognised sensory challenges in his great-grandfather, a mum who realised her entire approach to sleep and noise in her home has been quietly shaped by her own sensory needs, and a parent who discovered mid face story that she absolutely cannot stand having her own face touched. One of our long questions comes from a mum in rural NSW whose daughter spent years being described as anxious before a sensory OT helped the family realise she was simply noticing everything, all the time, and carrying an extraordinary cognitive load just to get through the day. A paediatric OT also shares the cups model, a beautifully simple way to help families understand and talk about their own sensory needs, including how to plan ahead for overwhelming events. We hope this episode helps and thank you to all the beautiful PCP people who sent in their questions and wisdom.