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hyposensitivity

sensory
by
Weirdly Successful
Weirdly Successful (author)  

First published: 28 June, 2023 | Last edited: 1 April, 2025 || 📚🕒 Reading Time: < 1 minute ||

Hyposensitivity, also known as sensory underresponsivity, is a condition characterized by a reduced sensitivity or diminished response to sensory stimuli from the environment.

Individuals with hyposensitivity may have difficulty with detecting or processing sensory inputs, such as sound, touch, taste, smell, or visual stimuli. They may require more intense or prolonged sensory stimulation to register and respond to the sensation.

This can lead to challenges in accurately perceiving and interpreting sensory information, which can impact their ability to engage in everyday activities or detect potential dangers. 

Related terms

alexithymia

Alexithymia is the inability to assign names to feelings, describe them to others or talk about them. It is considered a separate neuropsychological condition but has significant overlaps with autism.

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emotional dysregulation

Emotional dysregulation is the inability to regulate the intensity and quality of emotions in order to generate an appropriate emotional response and return to an emotional baseline.

When someone has difficulty regulating their emotions, they are easily overstimulated and they …

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interoception

Interoception is the ability to notice and identify feelings inside one’s body, like thirst or hunger. It also includes the ability to notice and regulate temperature changes or notice pain.

Read moreinteroception

sensory seeking

Sensory-seeking refers to a behavioural pattern or tendency in neurodivergent folks where they actively seek out and engage in sensory experiences or stimuli. People may have a heightened desire for sensory input and actively seek activities or environments that provide intense …

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Related Terms

special interests

Special interests are deeply focused areas of engagement that autistic people experience with a level of emotional investment, sustained attention, and joy that goes well beyond typical hobbies. Clinically categorised under restricted repetitive behaviours, special interests are one of the defining characteristics of autism — and for most autistic adults, they are a primary source of motivation, regulation, identity, and connection. Between 75% and 95% of autistic people have at least one special interest, and 82% have more than one.

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restricted repetitive behaviours (RRBs)

Restricted Repetitive Behaviours (RRBs) is the clinical term for a broad group of autistic traits including stimming, echolalia, routines, persistent interests, and sensory sensitivities. Despite the pathologising name, these patterns serve real purposes — self-regulation, cognitive energy conservation, and genuine enjoyment. They are how an autistic nervous system manages a world that doesn't come with enough predictability built in.

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Proprioception refers to the sensory system that provides information about body position, movement, and spatial orientation without visual input (i.e. knowing where our body parts are without having to look at them).

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About the Author

  • Weirdly Successful

    Weirdly Successful

    A 100% neurodivergent team — Adam Dobay, Livia Farkas and Nora Selmeczi — bringing together lived experience, adult education expertise, clinical training and NHS co-production to create friendly, science-backed resources that help neurodivergent adults figure out what actually works for them

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