Hyposensitivity, also known as Sensory under-responsitivity, refers to abnormally decreased
sensitivity to sensory input.
Hyposensitivity is especially common in people with
Autism
The autism spectrum, often referred to as just autism or in the context of a professional diagnosis autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a neurodevelopmental condition (or conditions) characterized by difficulti ...
, and is mostly seen in children. Those experiencing this have a harder time stimulating their senses than normally. They may not feel pain as easily as others, may be drawn to loud noises, be attracted to bright lights and colours, among other things.
Hyposensitivity can lead to an inactivated brain. This can give concentration problems, feeling drained or feckless, depression, procrastination and also
hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity (also called hypersensitivity reaction or intolerance) refers to undesirable reactions produced by the normal immune system, including allergies and autoimmunity. They are usually referred to as an over-reaction of the immune s ...
.
Types of hyposensitivity
''Auditory hyposensitivity'' symptoms include:
* Little or no
vocalizing/babbling as an infant.
* Speaks in a loud voice and/or excessively.
* Likes excessively loud music, games, TV.
* Difficulty with verbal cues of to name being called.
* Difficulty understanding or remembering what was said.
* Needs instructions repeated, or will say "what?" frequently.
* Talks self through task, often out loud.
* Appears oblivious to certain sounds
*
Disorientation
Orientation is a function of the mind involving awareness of three dimensions: time, Location (geography), place and person. Problems with orientation lead to ''dis''orientation, and can be due to various conditions, from delirium to Substance int ...
/confusion about where a sound is coming from.
''Tactile hyposensitivity'' symptoms include:
* Craves touch. Needs to touch everything and everyone.
* Self-abusive; pinching, biting, cutting, head-banging.
* Has a high
pain tolerance
Pain tolerance is the maximum level of pain that a person is able to tolerate. Pain tolerance is distinct from pain threshold (the point at which pain begins to be felt).[tactile
Tactile may refer to:
* Tactile, related to the sense of touch
* Haptics (disambiguation)
* Tactile (device), a text-to-braille translation device
See also
* Tangibility, in law
* Somatosensory system, where sensations are processed
* CD96
CD9 ...]
feedback.
* Often is not aware of being touched/bumped unless done with extreme force or sensitivity.
* Often injures self; burns, cuts, bruises, because harmful acts do not register as easily.
* May not be aware that hands or face are dirty.
''Olfactory hyposensitivity'' symptoms include:
* Fails to notice or ignores noxious odors.
* Excessively smells new objects, toys, people.
* May drink or eat things that are harmful/poisonous because they do not notice the noxious smell.
''Taste hyposensitivity'' symptoms include:
* May eat inedible objects such as dirt, chalk, crayons.
* Prefers food with intense
flavour - excessively spicy, sweet, sour, or salty.
* Frequently chews hair, shirt, fingers.
* Likes to put objects in their mouth.
* Often puts objects in mouth, even past the
toddler years.
* Likes brushing teeth/vibrating toothbrushes, and even trips to the dentist.
[Signs of Sensory Under-Responsitivity. McFadden.]
''Visual hyposensitivity'' symptoms include:
* Complains about "seeing double."
*
Fatigue
Fatigue describes a state of tiredness that does not resolve with rest or sleep. In general usage, fatigue is synonymous with extreme tiredness or exhaustion that normally follows prolonged physical or mental activity. When it does not resolve ...
s easily with reading, writing, drawing, playing video games
''Vestibular hyposensitivity'' symptoms include:
* Likes to move a lot.
* Rock back and forth or walks in circles while body rocking.
* Can spin or swing for a long time without feeling dizzy or nauseated.
* Difficulty standing still in one position.
''Proprioceptive hyposensitivity'' symptoms include:
* Unaware of body sensations. For example not feeling hunger.
* Difficulty knowing where the body is in space.
* Bumping into objects and people, tendency to fall.
* Weak grasp and can frequently drop things.
* Leaning against people, furniture or walls.
References
{{reflist
Cutaneous conditions