The 5 Stages of Sensory Processing: How Our Brains Make Sense of the World

Sensory processing refers to the way our brain receives, organizes, and responds to sensory information from our environment. 

For most of us, this process happens automatically, but for some, like those with sensory processing disorder (SPD), it can be overwhelming or confusing. Understanding the five stages of sensory processing can help you better grasp how our brains interpret the world around us and how different sensory inputs affect our daily lives.

Stages of Sensory Processing

The sensory processing process involves five main stages: sensory input, sensory registration, sensory modulation, sensory integration, and sensory response. These stages represent the journey sensory information takes from the environment to the brain and how it’s used to guide our reactions. 

Let's break down each stage:

1. Sensory Input

The first stage of sensory processing begins when our sensory organs (eyes, ears, skin, etc.) receive input from the environment. This input can come in many forms, like sounds, smells, textures, or even temperature changes. 

Sensory input is constantly happening — from the feeling of the chair beneath you to the sound of traffic outside. It’s the raw data that our brain uses to make sense of the world.

2. Sensory Registration

Once the sensory organs gather input, the brain’s job is to notice and register the sensory information. In this stage, the brain decides whether the sensory input is significant or not. 

For example, the sound of a car passing by might be automatically registered and processed, while background noise, like the hum of a refrigerator, might be ignored. Sensory registration is essentially the “filter” stage where the brain pays attention to relevant stimuli.

3. Sensory Modulation

Once the sensory input is registered, the brain then modulates it — adjusting how much attention to give the input. This stage involves the brain's ability to regulate sensory information by determining how intense or important a sensory experience is. 

For example, some people may find loud sounds stimulating or distressing, while others may be able to tune them out. Sensory modulation is key in maintaining a balanced response to sensory experiences, allowing us to stay calm in the face of overwhelming input or engage more deeply with something that needs our focus.

4. Sensory Integration

In this stage, the brain takes all the sensory information it has received and integrates it to form a comprehensive understanding of our surroundings. Sensory integration allows us to make sense of how things work together. 

For instance, if you're walking down the street, your brain is integrating information from your vision (the buildings around you), hearing (the sounds of people talking), and touch (the feel of the ground beneath your feet) to create a cohesive experience of “walking down the street.” 

Good sensory integration enables us to function in complex environments without feeling overwhelmed.

5. Sensory Response

Finally, after processing and integrating the sensory input, the brain generates a response. This could be a physical action (like reaching for an object you see), a behavioral reaction (like flinching at a loud noise), or even an emotional response (like feeling calm after a gentle touch).

Sensory response is the outcome of how well the brain has processed the sensory information and how it chooses to react.

How Sensory Processing Impacts Daily Life

For many individuals, especially those with sensory processing disorder, one or more stages of sensory processing may not function as smoothly as they should. This can result in over- or under-reacting to sensory stimuli, making it hard to navigate the world comfortably.

Children with SPD might have trouble with daily activities, such as eating, dressing, or attending school, because their sensory processing system is either over-responsive or under-responsive to stimuli. Similarly, adults with SPD may find it difficult to focus in busy environments or manage sensory input at work or social gatherings.

Sensory Processing and Autism

Many individuals on the autism spectrum experience differences in sensory processing, which is often a key characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These differences can manifest in both sensory sensitivity (overreaction to sensory stimuli) and sensory seeking (actively seeking out intense sensory experiences). 

Understanding the stages of sensory processing is crucial for developing strategies and therapies that can help individuals with autism manage sensory experiences and improve their quality of life.

How to Support Sensory Processing in Children

Understanding sensory processing is the first step in supporting children who experience challenges with sensory input. Here are a few strategies:

• Create a sensory-friendly environment: Reduce sensory overload by minimizing distractions such as bright lights, loud noises, or strong smells. Create calming spaces with soft lighting and quiet sounds.
• Sensory breaks: Schedule regular breaks where children can engage in calming or stimulating activities to regulate their sensory input.
• Therapeutic support: Occupational therapy, including ABA therapy, can help children develop better sensory regulation skills.

At Blue Jay ABA, we offer tailored ABA therapy services in North Carolina and Colorado, helping children with autism and sensory processing challenges develop strategies to manage sensory input effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources:



• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559155/
• https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/about-autism/sensory-processing
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/sensory-processing-disorder-spd
• https://childmind.org/article/sensory-processing-issues-explained/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9688399/