Down Syndrome Awareness Month – October 13, 2025

Did you know? Sensory processing challenges can affect people with Down syndrome of all ages.

Sensory processing challenges are relatively common among adolescents and adults with Down syndrome. They can be related to one or more of our 8 senses – touch, sight, sound, taste, smell, vestibular, proprioceptive, and/or interoceptive.

Some examples include:

• Dislike of certain fabrics or clothing items
• Sensitivity to loud sounds, visual stimuli, or strong scents
• Trouble with recognizing feelings of thirst or satiation (fullness)
• Difficulty with regulating force (e.g., applying too much or not enough pressure when completing a task)

When the sensory system is not regulated, a person can have difficulty managing their behavior and actions, completing tasks, and interacting with others. Treatment is highly individualized and can range from using weighted objects to doing push-ups to wearing headphones in noisy environments. The goal is to help a person function more smoothly.

Occupational therapist Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L provides more information in her article Sensory Processing and Down Syndrome.