What Is Sensory Processing?
Sensory processing is the way our brains receive, interpret, and respond to information from the world around us. Most people are familiar with the five basic senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, but we actually have eight sensory systems. The additional three are:
- Proprioception: awareness of body position, force, and movement.
- Vestibular: sense of balance, posture, movement, and orientation through the inner ear.
- Interoception: awareness of internal body states like hunger, temperature, and emotions.
When all eight systems work together, children are able to play, learn, and interact more smoothly. For many neurodivergent children, processing this input can feel overwhelming or confusing. That’s where the cup analogy comes in.
The Sensory Cup Analogy
Every sensory system has a different threshold. You can think of this threshold as a cup that needs to be filled. Some cups are very small and spill over quickly with even a little bit of input. Other cups are much larger and need a lot of input before they register that something is happening.
- A small cup means a child has a low threshold. Their nervous system notices sensory input very quickly. They may become overwhelmed by sounds, textures, lights, or movement that feel “too much.”
- A large cup means a child has a high threshold. Their nervous system takes longer to notice sensory input. They may seem to miss things around them, appear under-responsive, or need a lot more stimulation to feel alert and regulated.
When a child’s cup is filled to the right level, they feel calm, regulated, and ready to participate. When the cup is too empty, they may seek out more movement, sound, or touch to feel balanced. When the cup overflows, they may feel overstimulated, leading to meltdowns, shutdowns, or withdrawal.
It is also important to remember that every child has a different cup size for each sense. A child might seek lots of movement and touch but avoid loud sounds or bright lights. This mix of thresholds across senses is what makes each child’s sensory profile unique.
Four Common Sensory Profiles
- Sensory Seeking – Children who seek sensory input have very large cups that are difficult to fill. They may constantly move, make noise, or touch everything around them. This behavior isn’t mischief, it’s their way of trying to get regulated.
- Low Registration – These children also have large cups, but they don’t realize when their body needs input. They may appear quiet, slow, or unaware of things happening around them. Extra sensory input provided by adults often helps them become more alert and engaged.
- Sensory Sensitive – With very small cups, these children become overwhelmed easily. Even mild sounds, textures, or movements can overflow their cup, leading to meltdowns or withdrawal. They don’t always avoid these situations but react strongly when they happen.
- Sensory Avoidant – These children also have small cups, but they take active steps to prevent overflow. They may cover their ears, avoid swings, reject hugs, or refuse certain foods. Avoidance is their way of protecting themselves from overload.
It’s important to remember that a child can show different profiles for different senses (i.e. mix threshold). For example, seeking touch but avoiding sound.
Why This Matters for Parents
Understanding sensory processing through the cup analogy helps families:
- Reframe behaviors as communication rather than defiance.
- Adjust environments and routines to better meet a child’s needs.
- Offer the right amount of sensory input so children feel balanced and secure.
- Develop empathy for how unique and personal sensory experiences can be.
How Occupational Therapy Supports Sensory Needs
When sensory challenges interfere with daily life, occupational therapists can help. A sensory assessment identifies a child’s unique profile and offers strategies to:
- Provide calming or alerting input as needed.
- Modify home and school routines.
- Build confidence in handling sensory-rich environments.
At Tumble N’ Dots, we use a child-led, play-based approach to help children and families thrive. We focus on regulation, connection, and practical tools that carry over into everyday life.
For a simple explanation of sensory processing and the cup analogy, here’s a helpful short video: