Sensory Processing Challenges in Children and Teens – Calgary Psychology Support

Imagine your child is in the school gym. The lights are flickering, sneakers are squeaking, and the echo is bouncing off the walls. What others brush off as “no big deal” sends your child into shutdown—or meltdown. This isn’t defiance or drama. It’s a nervous system saying: “I can’t take any more.”

At Creative Sky Psychology in Calgary, we help families understand and support children experiencing sensory processing challenges—so they can feel calmer, more connected, and more understood.

Sensory processing refers to how the brain receives, interprets, and responds to sensory input—like sound, touch, movement, and temperature. When this system is overresponsive, underresponsive, or confused, everyday tasks can feel overwhelming.

Common signs include:

  • Strong reactions to smells, noises, tags, textures, or lighting

  • Resistance to grooming tasks (haircuts, nail clipping, brushing teeth)

  • Constant movement or crashing into objects

  • “Dramatic” responses to seemingly minor situations

  • Meltdowns during transitions, school routines, or social interactions

These behaviours are often misunderstood—seen as poor behaviour, attention-seeking, or emotional outbursts. But beneath the surface, a child’s sensory system may be working overtime.

What Are Sensory Processing Challenges?

How Sensory Processing Challenges Overlap with Other Conditions

In our Calgary clinic, sensory issues often show up alongside:

  • ADHD – impulsivity, distractibility, and sensory seeking

  • Anxiety – avoidance of environments that feel “too much”

  • Autism – sensory sensitivities are part of diagnostic criteria

  • Emotional regulation difficulties – explosive reactions to sensory triggers

Because these challenges are interwoven, it can be difficult to pinpoint “what’s really going on.” That’s why we do behavioural investigative work—looking beneath the surface to understand what’s driving the child’s reactions.

Why Meltdowns Aren’t Manipulation

Many Calgary parents come to us confused: “Why can my child handle loud music one day and then fall apart over a quiet lunchroom the next?”

The answer lies in the window of tolerance. When a child is already stressed or dysregulated—by anxiety, fatigue, hunger, or conflict—their nervous system can’t absorb extra stimulation. A mild sensory trigger becomes too much. Punishment doesn’t help. Rewards don’t work. Because it’s not a choice—it’s a capacity issue.

At Creative Sky, we help families recognize the early signs, support co-regulation, and create strategies that actually work.

Our Calgary-based therapy for sensory processing challenges includes:

  • Sensory-informed play therapy
    We use movement, tactile play, and imaginative scenarios to explore sensory needs and build resilience.

  • Parent collaboration
    You’re part of the team. We teach you how to notice cues, create safe environments, and support your child without power struggles.

  • Emotional coaching & nervous system education
    Kids learn to name their sensations, understand their bodies, and build confidence in their ability to cope.

  • Behavioural decoding
    We connect the dots between “challenging behaviour” and what’s actually happening beneath the surface.

When needed, we collaborate with Calgary-based pediatric OTs to co-create a sensory support plan or classroom accommodations.

What Therapy Looks Like at Creative Sky Psychology

Support Tailored to Age and Stage

Preschoolers (3–5):

We use sensory play, movement games, and art to support emotional and sensory regulation in a non-threatening way.

School-Age Children (6–12):

Kids learn to recognize early signs of overload and practice calming strategies through creative, play-based tools.

Teens (13+):

We blend education, emotion coaching, and practical self-advocacy to empower teens to navigate school, social dynamics, and sensory overwhelm.

You’re Not Overreacting—and Neither Is Your Child

When your child’s behaviour doesn’t match the environment, it’s not about “being difficult.” It’s about invisible effort. With the right lens, we can support both the child and the adults who care for them. Change happens when we stop asking “what’s wrong?” and start asking “what’s this telling us?”

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Children with sensory differences may overreact to sounds, textures, clothing, light, or movement—or underreact and seek extra stimulation (like spinning, crashing, or chewing). You might notice meltdowns during transitions, struggles with grooming, picky eating, or a constant need for movement. These aren’t just “quirks”—they’re signs your child’s nervous system needs support.

  • Therapy helps children identify what overwhelms or soothes their nervous system and learn calming strategies that actually work for them. We use sensory-informed play therapy, emotional coaching, parent collaboration, and co-regulation techniques to build a sensory toolkit kids can use at home, at school, and out in the world.

  • Sensory sensitivity is the trigger—a sound, smell, or texture that feels too intense. A meltdown is the response—a full-body emotional and neurological overload that happens when the brain can’t process it anymore. Therapy helps reduce the buildup and teaches both kids and caregivers how to respond before things spiral.

  • While SPD is not listed as a standalone diagnosis in the DSM-5, sensory processing challenges are well-recognized by clinicians—especially in children with autism, ADHD, or anxiety. Our Calgary psychologists work closely with OTs and families to address sensory differences through therapy that supports regulation, connection, and daily function.

  • Yes—many neurodivergent children experience sensory challenges. Kids with autism may be hypersensitive to textures or sounds, while kids with ADHD may crave movement or seek out stimulation. We provide neurodiversity-affirming support that recognizes sensory needs as part of how your child experiences the world—not something to be “fixed.”

  • Absolutely. What looks like overreaction or defiance is often your child’s nervous system crying out for relief. Labels like “dramatic” miss the real story. Therapy helps reframe these behaviors, validate your child’s experience, and build compassionate, doable strategies to reduce overwhelm.

  • A big one. You know your child best—and with our support, you’ll learn to spot triggers, build sensory-friendly routines, and co-regulate during hard moments. Therapy isn’t just for the child—it’s a team effort, and you’re never expected to navigate it alone.

  • Sensory profiles tend to remain stable, but kids can absolutely build better coping, resilience, and self-advocacy over time. With the right supports, they learn how to manage triggers, express needs, and thrive in environments that meet them where they are.