Across schools, classrooms, and communities, there is still limited understanding of how Sensory Processing Differences (SPD) affect children’s learning, behaviour, and emotional wellbeing.
At The Fidget Project CIC, we work closely with parents, teachers, and education providers to raise awareness of how sensory needs shape everyday experiences for neurodiverse children.
Why Sensory Processing Matters in Education
Sensory Processing Differences underpin many neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia.
These differences affect how children process sound, touch, movement, and internal body signals, which can significantly impact how they experience school life.
In classrooms, this can look like:
- Difficulty focusing in noisy or overstimulating environments
- Anxiety during transitions or unstructured times
- Masking behaviours to appear “fine” during the school day
- Sensory overload leading to shutdowns or meltdowns
- Strong sensory-seeking or sensory-avoidant behaviours
Everyday Behaviours That Are Often Misunderstood
Many behaviours linked to sensory processing differences are still widely misunderstood in school settings.
These can include:
- Chewing clothing or non-food items
- Difficulty tolerating certain fabrics or uniforms
- Skin, hair, or nail picking as a form of self-regulation
- Need for movement breaks or physical regulation
- Reliance on fidget tools to maintain focus
- Eating challenges or selective eating linked to sensory sensitivities
These are not “bad behaviours”. They are communication signals that a child is struggling to regulate their sensory system.
The Importance of Awareness in Schools
We continue to highlight to schools, education authorities, and wider stakeholders the urgent need for better understanding of sensory processing differences.
Key areas of focus include:
- Increasing staff awareness of SPD and its impact on learning
- Supporting teachers to recognise sensory-based behaviours
- Normalising the use of sensory tools and movement breaks in classrooms
- Providing strategies to support children who mask their difficulties
- Understanding how sensory overload can impact behaviour and wellbeing
Small adjustments in classroom environments can make a significant difference to a child’s ability to learn and feel safe.
Puberty, Development, and Changing Needs
As children move into upper primary years (particularly Year 5 and Year 6), sensory and emotional needs can become more complex.
This stage often involves:
- Physical changes linked to puberty
- Increasing social pressure and awareness
- Greater emotional intensity
- Heightened sensory sensitivity or dysregulation
Support at this stage is essential to help children build confidence before transitioning to secondary school.
Preparing for Secondary School Transitions
One of the most concerning challenges we see is the transition from primary to secondary education.
Many children who are well supported in primary school struggle significantly when moving into secondary environments where:
- Support systems may be less personalised
- Class sizes and environments become more overwhelming
- Sensory needs are less consistently understood
- Emotional regulation challenges increase
For some children, this transition becomes a tipping point, leading to school refusal, alternative provision, or withdrawal from formal education.
The Wider Mental Health Picture
National data continues to show worrying trends in mental health among young people, particularly those who are neurodiverse.
Children experiencing unmet sensory needs are more likely to experience:
- Anxiety and chronic stress
- Depression and low mood
- Eating difficulties
- Emotional overwhelm and burnout
These challenges are often intensified when behaviours are misunderstood or unsupported.
The Need for Better Support for Families
Parents and carers also carry a significant emotional load.
Many report feeling:
- Isolated in their experiences
- Judged for their child’s behaviour
- Unsupported by systems that do not fully understand sensory needs
There is a clear need for greater understanding, compassion, and practical support for families navigating these challenges.
Working Towards Change
Through our work with schools, families, and education providers, we are actively promoting better understanding and practical support for sensory processing differences.
We are committed to helping schools develop environments where children can:
- Regulate more effectively
- Feel understood and supported
- Access learning without unnecessary barriers
- Develop confidence in their own needs and strengths
How You Can Support This Work
This work is only possible through community support and ongoing collaboration.
If you would like to support our work, you can donate or get involved via our ongoing crowdfunder.
Every contribution helps us continue delivering training, support sessions, and practical tools for children and families who need them most.
