{"h1":"Types of Sensory Processing Differences","faq":[{"a":"Not in the way severity levels work for some conditions. Sensory differences are described as patterns — modulation, motor and discrimination types — and each can range from mild to significant. A clinician describes how it affects daily life rather than assigning a fixed grade.","q":"Are there official 'levels' of Sensory Processing Differences?"},{"a":"Yes, very commonly. A child might be over-responsive to sound yet seek out movement, or have a motor-planning difficulty alongside a discrimination difference. Overlap is normal, which is why a structured assessment is more useful than a single label.","q":"Can a child have more than one type at once?"},{"a":"Not necessarily. Sensory seeking is the brain craving more input — spinning, crashing, mouthing — to feel regulated, and it can look like restlessness. Only a qualified clinician can tell whether it reflects a sensory pattern, attention differences, or both.","q":"Is sensory seeking the same as hyperactivity?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-sensory-processing-differences","title":"What are the types or levels of Sensory Processing Differences?","entity":{"key":"spd","kind":"condition","name":"Sensory Processing Differences","slug":"spd"},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Parent","value":"parent"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Sensory","value":"sensory"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Definition","value":"definition"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Book-Assessment","value":"book-assessment"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"}],"parent":{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"how-is-sensory-processing-differences-diagnosed-in-a-child","title":"How is Sensory Processing Differences diagnosed in a child?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-sensory-processing-differences-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood","title":"What is Sensory Processing Differences, and its ICD-11 features?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-sensory-processing-differences-affect-a-child-s-daily-life","title":"How Sensory Processing Differences affect a child's daily life"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-causes-sensory-processing-differences-in-children","title":"What Causes Sensory Processing Differences in Children?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-sensory-processing-differences","title":"What is Sensory Processing Differences?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-common-is-sensory-processing-differences-in-children","title":"How common are Sensory Processing Differences in children?"}],"summary":"Sensory Processing Differences are described as patterns, not severity levels — chiefly sensory modulation differences (over-responsive, under-responsive, sensory seeking), sensory-based motor differences (postural and motor-planning), and sensory discrimination differences. Patterns often overlap, and a clinician-administered assessment identifies which applies.","answer_md":"*Sensory processing isn't one thing that's simply present or absent — it shows up as distinct patterns, and knowing the pattern is what makes support precise.*\n\n## In short\nSensory Processing Differences are usually grouped into a few recognised **patterns** rather than \"levels\" or severities. The most widely used framework describes three broad types: **sensory modulation differences** (how strongly a child responds to input), **sensory-based motor differences** (how the body uses sensory information to move and plan), and **sensory discrimination differences** (how precisely a child tells sensations apart). Each pattern can be mild and barely noticeable, or significant enough to affect everyday play, learning and self-care.\n\n## The patterns, explained simply\n**1. Sensory modulation differences** — the *volume control* of the sensory system.\n- **Over-responsive (sensory avoiding):** sounds, textures, lights or touch feel too intense; the child may cover ears, dislike certain clothing, or be upset by messy play.\n- **Under-responsive:** the child seems not to notice sensations — slow to react to name, pain, or mess.\n- **Sensory seeking:** the child craves more input — spinning, crashing, mouthing, constant movement.\n\n**2. Sensory-based motor differences** — using sensation to plan and move.\n- **Postural differences:** low muscle tone, slumping, tiring quickly, trouble holding a position.\n- **Dyspraxia (motor planning):** difficulty figuring out and sequencing new movements, looking clumsy or hesitant with new tasks.\n\n**3. Sensory discrimination differences** — telling sensations apart.\n- Trouble judging *which* sensation it is, *where* on the body, or *how much* — for example, gripping a pencil too hard, or struggling to find an object by touch.\n\nThese patterns often overlap, and a child can show one strongly and another mildly. They describe *how* a child experiences the world — not a measure of intelligence or potential.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nA clinical **AbilityScore®** and any diagnosis are formed **only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care** — never from an online list or an app, because the same behaviour can have very different causes. A clinician-administered assessment looks at the whole picture and identifies which pattern is at play. Learn more about [Sensory Processing Differences](/spd), how [occupational therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/best-occupational-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) builds sensory regulation, and [how the AbilityScore® works](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated).\n\n## Trusted sources\nWHO ICD-11 and the ICF framework on functioning; the American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) and CDC developmental guidance; Indian Academy of Pediatrics. These describe sensory differences within a broader developmental and functional view rather than as fixed severity grades.\n\n**Next step —** Curious which pattern fits your child? [Book a Pinnacle sensory screen](/contact) and start with clarity.\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-sensory-processing-differences","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-sensory-processing-differences","lang":"en","indexable":true},{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-sensory-processing-differences-te","lang":"te","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"}],"meta_title":"Types of Sensory Processing Differences","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"Notice your child's pattern, not just the moment: keep a simple week-long note of what they avoid, crave or miss. This 'sensory diary' helps a clinician see the pattern far faster than a single visit can.","published_at":"2026-06-10T10:28:00.07239+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"understand","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-sensory-processing-differences","title":"What is Sensory Processing Differences?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-causes-sensory-processing-differences-in-children","title":"What Causes Sensory Processing Differences in Children?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-sensory-processing-differences-affect-a-child-s-daily-life","title":"How Sensory Processing Differences affect a child's daily life","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-sensory-processing-differences-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood","title":"What is Sensory Processing Differences, and its ICD-11 features?","reason":"Linked from this 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Patterns that affect play, dressing, eating or learning are worth a developmental check.","authority_links":[{"url":"https://icd.who.int/en","label":"WHO ICD-11"},{"url":"https://www.healthychildren.org","label":"American Academy of Pediatrics — HealthyChildren.org"},{"url":"https://www.cdc.gov/child-development","label":"CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early."}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T10:28:00.07239+00:00","meta_description":"Sensory Processing Differences come in patterns, not levels — modulation, motor and discrimination types explained simply for parents. Screen with Pinnacle","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}