Hyposensitivity

Reduced response to sensory input—the less-discussed partner to hypersensitivity. Many autistic people experience both.

"I once walked around with a broken toe for three days before I realized something was wrong." — Autistic adult

What It Looks Like

Pain: Not noticing injuries, high pain threshold.

Temperature: Not feeling hot or cold, wearing shorts in winter.

Internal signals: Forgetting hunger, missing thirst cues. See Interoception.

Body awareness: Clumsiness, bumping into things.

Sensory Seeking

When under-stimulated, you naturally seek input:

• Touching everything, seeking textures
• Rocking, spinning, jumping
• Deep pressure and weighted blankets
• Playing music loud

Many stims are the body seeking needed input. See Stimming.

Sensory seeking is a genuine need, not misbehavior. Meeting these needs prevents dysregulation.

Related: Sensory Toolkit for management strategies.