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Sensory-Seeking or Attention-Seeking? Helping Your Child Navigate Their Behaviors
November 28, 2025
When it comes to kids with autism, it can sometimes be tricky to tell why they’re behaving the way they are.
Two behaviors that often get mixed up are sensory-seeking and attention-seeking. They might look similar, but they come from different places and require different approaches.
Sensory-Seeking Behaviors
Sensory-seeking behaviors happen when a child craves certain sensory experiences to help them feel calm or balanced.
Children with autism often process sensory information differently, which means they may seek out things like sound, touch, or movement to help regulate themselves.
Here are some common examples:
- Stimming: This could be things like hand-flapping, rocking, or repeating certain movements.
- Touching specific textures: They may constantly touch certain materials, like soft fabrics or rough surfaces.
- Loud sounds or bright lights: Some children may enjoy loud noises or bright lights, even if others find them overwhelming.
- Constant movement: Jumping, swinging, or spinning can give them the sensory input they need to feel more grounded.
These behaviors aren’t about getting attention—they’re about seeking out sensory experiences to feel better. The child might not even realize they’re doing it, they just know it helps them manage their feelings.
Attention-Seeking Behaviors
On the other hand, attention-seeking behaviors are exactly what they sound like—they happen when a child wants to get someone’s attention. This could be to get help, to play, or to interact with others. Some examples of attention-seeking behaviors include:
- Making loud noises: Calling out, yelling, or making sounds to get noticed.
- Tantrums or meltdowns: These can happen when a child feels overwhelmed or frustrated and wants to get attention from a caregiver.
- Disruptive behaviors: Throwing things or making a mess can be a way to draw attention to themselves.
Attention-seeking behaviors are often a way for the child to communicate their needs, especially if they’re still developing their language skills.
How to Respond to Each Behavior
The key is understanding what’s driving the behavior. Here’s how you can respond:
- For sensory-seeking behaviors, offer ways to meet their sensory needs in a healthy way. You can try using sensory-friendly toys, creating a calm space for them to retreat to, or giving them weighted blankets for deep pressure.
- For attention-seeking behaviors, teaching the child alternative ways to get attention is important. For example, encouraging them to use words, gestures, or a communication device can help them express their needs in a more appropriate way. Positive reinforcement when they use those methods will go a long way.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I tell if my child’s behavior is sensory-seeking or attention-seeking?
If your child is engaging in repetitive movements or seeking certain textures or sounds to feel better, it’s likely sensory-seeking. If they’re doing something to get your attention—like calling out or causing a scene—it’s probably attention-seeking.
2. Can ABA therapy help with sensory-seeking behaviors?
Yes, ABA therapy can help by teaching your child more appropriate ways to meet their sensory needs while also helping them develop other coping strategies.
3. What’s the best way to deal with attention-seeking behaviors?
Start by teaching your child how to communicate their needs in a positive way. Reinforce those positive behaviors when they ask for attention appropriately, and provide alternatives to disruptive behaviors.
Sources:
- https://www.understood.org/en/articles/sensory-seeking-and-sensory-avoiding-what-you-need-to-know
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5340079/
- https://www.news-medical.net/health/Sensory-Overload-vs-Sensory-Seeking-Causes-Symptoms-and-Treatment-Explained.aspx
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9688399/
- https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/about-autism/sensory-processing
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