— A Parent’s Reflection on Sensory Hyposensitivity and Autism Spectrum Traits
This article is based on my experience as a parent of a highly sensitive child.
For a long time, I believed my child was “only sensitive.”
But there were moments when that explanation didn’t feel enough.
Some behaviors felt more like a lack of response than sensitivity.
This confusion later led me to learn about sensory hyposensitivity and autism spectrum traits.
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Beyond Sensitivity: Discovering ASD Traits
My child reacted strongly to sounds, textures, and changes in the environment.
At the same time, there were situations where he seemed not to notice things at all.
For example, he sometimes didn’t respond to his name,
didn’t react to pain as expected,
or seemed unaware of his body in space.
This contradiction confused me.
How could a child be extremely sensitive, yet also appear unresponsive?
The Contradiction: Highly Sensitive yet Unresponsive?
Later, I learned the term “sensory hyposensitivity.”
It refers to a reduced response to sensory input, such as pain, touch, or body awareness.
In my child’s case, this appeared in everyday situations.
He sometimes didn’t notice small injuries,
bumped into things without reacting,
or seemed unaware of where his body was in relation to others.
These moments were easy to overlook.
But over time, I realized they were important signs,
not something to be dismissed as carelessness or personality.
A New Lens: What is Sensory Hyposensitivity?
At first, I tried to understand everything through the lens of sensitivity.
I assumed my child was overwhelmed, tired, or emotionally shutting down.
But over time, this explanation no longer felt complete.
Some behaviors did not seem related to emotional overload.
They appeared more physical and neurological.
Learning about autism spectrum traits helped me see this more clearly.
Not as a label, but as another perspective.
It allowed me to understand that sensitivity and reduced sensory response can coexist in the same child.
You Are Not Alone: A Message to Fellow Parents
If you feel confused by your child’s mixed traits, you are not alone.
Sensitivity and sensory hyposensitivity can exist together.
Understanding a child does not always begin with a clear answer.
Sometimes, it begins by noticing what does not quite fit.
Taking time to observe, question, and learn
can be an important step toward deeper understanding.
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I write from the perspective of a parent, not a professional.
If you’re interested, you can read a short introduction about me here🔽
