Sensory Under-Responsivity or Hyposensitivity

Sensory under-responsivity or hyposensitivity — a part of sensory modulation disorder and opposite to sensory over-responsivity or hypersensitivity — causes people to appear withdrawn, difficult to engage, or self-absorbed because they don’t detect  sensory input. Under-responsivity to tactile pressure may lead to poor body awareness, clumsiness, or movements with too much/too little force to complete motor skills (movements not “graded” appropriately). They may not perceive anything too hot/too cold or painful. Hyposensitive people may actually seek out sensory stimulation, as in constantly touching people or textures, without understanding personal space or what’s socially unacceptable.