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 or stimulating sensations.
They may exhibit stimming behaviours such as seeking out tactile stimulation, rocking or spinning, jumping and rolling, seeking out loud sounds, or engaging in repetitive movements or stims. They might like being tickled or scratched, might enjoy playfighting or playing group sports, or going to concerts and crowded, stimulating environments.
This sensory-seeking behaviour can be a way for individuals to regulate their sensory processing or to fulfil their sensory needs.
Many sensory-seeking behaviours are also forms of restricted repetitive behaviours — the repetition is the point, because the nervous system needs that specific input delivered reliably and often enough to do its regulatory work.
Sensory seeking can vary in intensity and focus across individuals and can be present in conditions such as Sensory Processing Disorder, autism, or ADHD.
Related terms
hyperactivity
Hyperactive Type is one of the ADHD subtypes. Hyperactivity can present in physical and mental symptoms. Hyperactive traits include fidgeting and other sensory-seeking behaviours, interrupting others when they talk or finishing their sentences for them, impulsive actions and …
stimming
Stimming (self-stimulatory behaviour) tends to be more intense, deliberate, and repetitive. It can include hand flapping, rocking, making repetitive sounds, spinning, examining textures intensely, or listening to the same song on repeat for hours. Stimming is historically …
hyposensitivity
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 …
