The Science of Oral Sensory Seeking — Why a Child Can Seek and Avoid (Part 5 of 8)

The Science of Oral Sensory Seeking — Why a Child Can Seek and Avoid (Part 5 of 8) — Educational Infographic (Printable, A2)

You will receive the printable unwatermarked version of this infographic

This is Part 5 of an 8-part series explaining why the same child can seek some oral input, avoid other input, or both — depending on many factors in their body, brain, and environment.

This infographic covers:

• Seeking and Avoiding Can Happen Together — seeking behaviours and avoiding behaviours, and why both are communication, not confusion
• Why the Same Child Can Do Both — a Venn diagram of seeking some input, avoiding other input, and the nervous system constantly balancing between too little and too much
• This Balance Can Shift Throughout the Day — fatigue, illness, hunger/thirst, temperature changes, stress, and environment & demands
• Why Responses Change — nervous system state, development & maturation, past experiences, learning & habit, environment & context, and health & body factors
• Every Child Has Their Own Sensory Thresholds — under-registration, optimal range, over-registration, shutdown risk, and meltdown risk
• How We Can Support Both Seeking and Avoiding Needs — observing patterns, respecting both needs, offering safe choices, adjusting with flexibility, and co-regulating
• Research-Informed citations including Porges (2011), Dunn (1997), Schaaf & Miller (2005), Schoen et al. (2009), and Schaaf et al. (2018)

What you get:

• High-resolution PDF, print-ready and scalable up to A2 (420 × 594mm)
• Instant digital download

Perfect for: SEND and clinical training, therapy rooms, staff CPD, parent carer forums, and personal understanding.

For personal, classroom, and professional educational use. Not for resale or redistribution.

© Nonspeaking Autism

Disclaimer:

This resource is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is designed to support understanding of autism, sensory processing, nervous system regulation, and behaviour from a neurodevelopmental perspective.

The information provided is not medical, psychological, therapeutic, or legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for assessment, diagnosis, or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.

Every autistic person is unique. Strategies and supports should always be tailored to the individual's needs, strengths, and circumstances.

If a child displays a sudden change in behaviour, severe distress, signs of illness, injury, or behaviours that place themselves or others at risk, seek appropriate medical advice or emergency assistance where necessary.

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and reflects current understanding, knowledge in autism and neuroscience continues to evolve.

This resource is for the purchaser's personal, educational, or professional use only. It may not be copied, redistributed, resold, edited, shared publicly, or reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission.

© Nonspeaking Autism 💙