In early childhood, sensory play is more than just fun—it’s a window into how children process the world. For children on the autism spectrum, their response to sensory input can offer crucial insight into their developmental profile. Whether it’s fascination with color, texture, or sound, how a child interacts with sensory materials often becomes an important focus during autism assessments.
At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, we pay close attention to these early sensory behaviors as part of a comprehensive evaluation process. Understanding how children engage in sensory play helps us identify early signs of autism and recommend tailored support.
What Is Sensory Play?
Sensory play involves activities that stimulate a child’s senses—touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell. In therapy or learning environments, this could include handling textured objects, playing with water, exploring colored liquids, or engaging in tactile activities like finger painting or kinetic sand.
These activities aren’t just for fun. They are key to cognitive growth, fine motor development, and language acquisition. More importantly, they reveal how a child experiences and responds to sensory information, which can differ significantly in children with autism.
The Sensory-Autism Connection
Children with autism may display hypersensitivity (overreactive) or hyposensitivity (underreactive) to sensory input. Some children may love the sound of water being shaken in a bottle, while others may cover their ears. Some are drawn to bright lights or swirling patterns, while others avoid them completely.
In autism assessments, professionals observe how a child interacts with various sensory stimuli:
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Do they seek out certain sensations, like spinning or vibrating items?
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Do they become overwhelmed by noise or touch?
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Do they fixate on visual details, like colors and patterns?
These behaviors aren’t simply quirks—they provide valuable diagnostic clues. At OrbRom Center, our team of clinicians incorporates sensory observations as a key part of our autism assessment process.
Why Sensory Reactions Matter in Autism Assessments
Standard autism diagnostic tools, such as the ADOS-2 or Vineland-3 (both used at OrbRom Center), include items that assess sensory processing differences. When these reactions are paired with communication challenges or restricted behaviors, they form a fuller picture of the child’s developmental profile.
For example, if a child repetitively shakes a sensory bottle while ignoring verbal prompts or peer interaction, that could indicate difficulties with social reciprocity and sensory regulation—core indicators of autism.
Real-Life Scenarios We See in Phnom Penh
In our Phnom Penh-based center, many parents approach us with concerns like:
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“My child only wants to play with water bottles filled with colored liquid.”
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“He gets upset when his hands are dirty or refuses to touch certain textures.”
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“She seems to block out noises that others respond to.”
These everyday moments—often occurring at home or in a preschool classroom—are exactly what we explore further during developmental assessments.
With our culturally aware and family-centered approach, we involve parents throughout the process to identify how their child responds to sensory input at home and in familiar environments.
Sensory Insights Help Shape the Right Interventions
The beauty of observing sensory behavior is that it also guides intervention planning. If a child seeks calming sensory input, we might recommend occupational therapy with sensory integration strategies. If they struggle with sensory overload, we tailor the environment to support regulation and reduce anxiety.
At OrbRom Center, we believe assessments should do more than label—they should open doors to effective support. For children showing sensory processing differences, we often recommend:
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Occupational Therapy Services
Our specialized occupational therapy program helps children improve sensory regulation, focus, and body awareness. -
Autism-Specific Support Plans
Based on assessment results, we develop personalized plans to build tolerance for sensory input and support functional daily living skills.
What Parents Can Do While Waiting for an Assessment
If you’re a parent in Phnom Penh and notice your child is reacting strongly—or not at all—to sensory experiences, here are some helpful steps:
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Start a sensory diary. Track your child’s reactions to sound, touch, textures, and environments.
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Use sensory toys. Simple items like colored water bottles or textured balls can provide calming input and help you observe their preferences.
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Observe social context. Is your child engaging with others during play? Do they avoid group activities because of sensory triggers?
These observations are helpful not only for you but also for clinicians during assessments.
Why Parents in Phnom Penh Trust OrbRom Center
With increasing awareness of autism in Cambodia, families in Phnom Penh are seeking trusted, professional support that goes beyond generic checklists. At OrbRom Center, our developmental assessments are conducted by trained professionals who understand local context, family dynamics, and individualized child development.
We create a supportive, play-based environment where children feel safe to express themselves. This makes it easier to capture accurate information, especially when it comes to sensory behavior.
Visit our Autism and Developmental Assessment page to learn how we support early identification and intervention through compassionate, professional care.
Final Thoughts
Sensory play can tell us so much—if we’re listening. Whether a child loves to shake bottles of colored water or avoids sticky substances altogether, these responses are part of their story. Through professional autism assessments at OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, we help families uncover what these sensory reactions mean and how to support their child’s growth.
If you’re wondering about your child’s development, reach out today. Early understanding leads to better outcomes—and your child deserves every chance to thrive.
