The five types: examples
Each person has a different way of dealing with sensory input. You process input in a neutral way, you become aware of too little input (underresponsiveness) or of far too much input (overresponsiveness).
The behavior you see provides a lot of information about the person’s sensory processing. Below are examples of behaviors associated with the five types. We will, of course, be looking at the situations through SPi-glasses (which are glasses with which you look at behavior with Sensory Processing in mind).
Barbecue
Camping
Beach
Icecream
Gymclass
Having a drink
Watching movies
Working independently
Barbecue
We look at 5 types of people while they are having a barbecue.
Neutral
- Oh wonderful, I love having a barbecue! I’m already looking forward to the spare ribs, I like them so much! And I saw a new recipe that we can try.
- Yeah there’s a slight chance it’ll rain. But anyway, let’s start outside and then we’ll see.
- I bought extra coals, because we were almost out.
- Nice, those funny napkins with texts.
- Spicy fish, that sounds delicious!
- Well done everyone, I’m enjoying it!
Actively underreponsive (is actively trying to get more input)
- Let’s have a barbecue tonight!
- I found new recipes, they all sounded delicious, now let’s see if they taste delicious too!
- Yes dude. We’re really going outside. If it does rain, we’ll just move everything inside. Right?!
- Yes, the grill is fully cleaned. The coals and matches are all already there.
- I bought very handy dinnersets, nice bright colors huh?! I like to mix them, otherwise it’s so boring if you have a plate, cutlery, cup and napkins all the same color.
- We’ll try the fish in 3 different ways; a spicy edition / another wrapped in serano ham (an idea from a caterer I spoke to recently) / and one for the kids with dill, not too intense.
- Did you know that you can roast pineapple with marshmallows on the barbecue? Shall we do that? We’re going to have such a great time! We’ll see how it’ll all turn out.
Passively underresponsive (is not trying to get more input)
- Oh yes, a nice barbecue.
- It’s great that you have all new recipes.
- Oh is it raining? It’s not so bad, is it?
- Oh. I never clean it, until the next time the barbecue is brought out… It works fine, especially if you make the grid hot first. Then it’s really easy to scratch the mess from last time off. See? Just like that!
- Oh, sorry… Was the blue plate yours? I thought… I have a blue cup… so….
- I’ll have the spicy fish, I like it hot and spicy! Yes please, some of that serrano fish too.
- Yeah sure, I’ll put the pineapple on the barbecue. Who ever came up with that idea, to combine pineapple with marshmallows on the barbecue? Funny.
Actively overresponsive (is calming themselves)
- Yes… barbecue. Okay then. At your place?
- I always make the same thing. Marinated vegetable skewers, marinated chicken and shrimp. I love it!
- Shouldn’t we eat inside? It looks like it’s going to rain. And then it’ll be such a hassle. No need for all that right? Inside is also nice.
- I’d rather not clean the grid. That grease and dirt on my hands, yuck! I’ll tend to something else, okay?
- I like having everything in purple. My favourite colour.
- Are there bones in it? Just a small piece, without bone please. The one for the children please, I’m sure it’s very tasty.
- Whát are you going to put on the barbecue? Won’t it get all sticky?
Passively overresponsive (is not calming themselves)
- Nice, barbecue!
- I try something new every now and then, but it doesn’t often turn out well and then I go back to the familiar things.
- Inside or outside? I don’t care. (Later: “Do you have a jacket or something for me? I had not counted on it being such a cool evening.”)
- Shall I clean the grid then? (…) Oh, that’s yuck, I’m covered in grease now.
- Red? No, I prefer light blue or green, I like soft colors.
- Oh wow! That spicy fish is really hot, I didn’t expect that. Water! And the serrano fish is also very tasty. Oh, I do feel a lot of bones.
- Oh, that’s funny! Pineapple with marshmallows on the barbecue. Yes, just a little bit please. Very sweet actually, but a small piece is nice.
Camping
We look at 5 types of people while they are camping out.
Neutral
- Yes, I sometimes go camping. I like spending time outdoors.
- On a thin sleepingmat. Yes, not the most comfortable, but for a few nights it is no problem.
- Just, a sleepshirt.
- Yes, I did get fewer hours of sleep because of that party on the other side of our field. That was a pity.
Actively underreponsive (is actively trying to get more input)
- Wonderful! Camping! I actually do that every summer and if I can, I also go one or two weekends in between.
- I sleep on a very thin mat. It doesn’t take up much space in the luggage. And all it has to do is insulate so you don’t feel cold from the ground. I sleep like a baby with a full tummy.
- I usually bring a nice pair of pajamas. Yes, you need to look decent when walking to the restroom, right?!
- Yes, there was a party. I went to have a look and was invited to join in.
Passively underresponsive (is not trying to get more input)
- Oh great, camping. I don’t do it very often unfortunately, but when I finally do, I enjoy it. I really should do it more often.
- Unfortunately my sleepingmat was leaking air, I forgot from last time. Well, we were lying on grass, I slept quite well, really.
- The sweatpants I wear during the day work great as pajamas. And my T-shirt. I usually wear it the next day as well.
- Party? I didn’t hear anything…
Actively overresponsive (is calming themselves)
- I prefer not to go camping. But my husband and kids really like it. So very occasionally I go with them.
- You won’t find me near any thin sleepingmat! Then I won’t be able to sleep a wink. No, I’ll have a thick air mattress and a real pillow please.
- I brought my earplugs for the noise.
- And soft pajamas, flannel. It can get quite cold at night in a tent.
Passively overresponsive (is not calming themselves)
- Camping? I sometimes go with friends. Nice!
- I hardly sleep at all. Those mats are so uncomfortable, it amazes me that people can sleep on them. I always miss a proper pillow.
- A pair of pajamas? Yeah, I do sometimes forget them. So I usually take a regular T-shirt from my bag, Unfortunately, regular T-shirts are much shorter than sleepingshirts and are not quite as comfortable.
- That noise! Like they were standing in our tent! So even if I was reasonably comfortable, I didn’t get much sleep.
Beach
We look at 5 types of people during a day at the beach.
Neutral
- Nice, a day at the beach!
- Book, beach towel, bottle of water, sunscreen, sunglasses, bikini. Great! Some cookies and an apple and then we’ll get some delicious fish at the beachbar.
- I take factor 30 with me, I heard that should be enough.
- Testing the water… brrr cold! Okay… who’s in first??!! I’ll race you! Nice, to dry in the sun afterwards.
- Yep I’m in, would love to stay for dinner. I’m curious as to what we’ll find on the menu.
Actively underreponsive (is actively trying to get more input)
- Are you coming to the beach? It’ll be great!
- My new bathing suit. Or that nice bikini…. It looks really good! You know what, I’ll take them both. Swimsuit for swimming, my bikini on the beach.
- I’ll bring sunscreen, a book, magazines. Sandwiches, fruit, bottle of water, I can always refill at the beach bar. A ball and frisbee of course. Oh yes, and that CD with songs we can sing along to, in the car.
- I’m going to go into the surf on my surfboard, who’s coming?!
- Oh, they have a very interesting menu at that beach bar, shall we stay for dinner? I’ve never eaten some of the stuff on the menu, can’t wait!
Passively underresponsive (is not trying to get more input)
- We are going to the beach? Oh fine, nice.
- I’ll bring my towel and swimsuit. When are we going?
- I’m going to see if I can buy a magazine or something, I’d like to do some reading, forgot my book. And somthing to eat. Who is hungry/thirsty? I’m going to get something to eat at the beach bar. Too bad I forgot to bring that delicious melon from home.
- Oh, I forgot sunscreen, can I borrow yours?
- Yes, I will go surfing/swimming with you. Great!
- Stay for dinner? Sure, nice. No, it doesn’t matter what’s on the menu.
Actively overresponsive (is calming themselves)
- Beach….? Yes, …. okay. That might be nice. Do we go somewhere where they have beach chairs and umbrellas? I’d rather not lie in the sand and in the sun.
- A bath towel. An extra towel to use at the end of the day to dry off after showering. Swimsuit, extra bathing suit. I don’t like to walk around in a wet swimsuit. A book, not too heavy a one. Bottle of water (small, for the same reason. You can always refill it at the restrooms. Are there restrooms nearby?!). Some food. Clean clothes, so I can put on sand-free clothes at the end of the day.
- Factor 50 sunscreen, and a special cream for my face. Oh, also an after-sun cream of course.
- Is there a beach bar with a shower nearby? No? Then I don’t think I will go swimming, I would like to be able to rinse off the salt, otherwise my skin will get all itchy.
- Stay for dinner? Um, I’m going to check the area. Yes, there are some things I like. Nice, we’ll stay.
Passively overresponsive (is not calming themselves)
- Beach? Yes, okay, nice.
- Let’s see… Yes, swimming trunks, towel, sunscreen. Then I think I’ve got it all. Oh yes, a bottle of water too.
- Wow, it’s a very bright sun. Maybe rent an umbrella. And it would be nice to lie on a sunbed, because sand everywhere is not so comfortable. Too bad, I’ve taken the wrong sunscreen with me, which does not absorb quickly, so the sand sticks to it.
- Swimming? Yes fine! Oh brrrrrrrrr, that’s cold. Well, inch by inch then. Oh no! (is swept by a big wave).
- Hey, there are no restrooms nearby. And no shower. Ah yuck, now my skin is all itchy from the salt. I’ll just use that bottle of water to rinse off. And soon I’ll be walking that mile to use the restroom and refill my bottle.
- Dinner? Yes, that can be fun, although I’m pretty tired from spending the day in the heat…. Oh, it’s just a simple restaurant, close by? Yes, that’s fine, nice.
Icecream
We look at 5 types of people while eating ice cream.
Neutral
- Flavor: Occasionally my favorite flavor, now and then something new.
- Sometimes nuts, sometimes disco dip, other times no topping.
- Pay, sit back and enjoy. Has little trouble with ice dripping on their hand or face. Can also do other things while eating ice cream.
Actively underreponsive (is actively trying to get more input)
- Chooses something different every time, pays attention to the taste but also the appearance (smurf ice cream; how blue!!)
- Preferably has three scoops, because they can’t choose between all those interesting flavors; cinnamon, blood orange, lemon, chocolate….
- “Disco dip, yes nice, or… can I maybe have disco dip ánd nuts?”
- Is more concerned with where to sit on the terrace than with the ice cream that has already started to melt and drip.
- Also engaged in conversations and checking their smartphone.
Passively underresponsive (is not trying to get more input)
- Randomly chooses the flavors, it doesn’t matter that much. “I’ll have the white and green ones.”
- One time one scoop, the other time two. “Whatever you are having.”
- “Disco dip? Yes, fine, looks funny. “
- Has ice on their mouth, hands and pants.
- Enjoy themselves, don’t notice napkins blowing off the table. Eating ice cream, not involved in anything else.
Actively overresponsive (is calming themselves)
- Chooses vanilla and vanilla, or banana and banana. Nothing too intense, mostly the same, familiar taste.
- Chooses one scoop. With two it becomes top heavy and there is a risk that the scoops will topple and fall.
- Doesn’t try a disco dip, looks way too intense.
- Takes napkins at the counter, one to wrap around the cone; to catch any dripping. Then another one to wipe hands or mouth with and one extra.
- Immediately starts licking so that the ice does not leak on their hands. Chooses a spot in the shade to reduce melting (and therefore dripping).
- Gives others tips on which side to lick.
- Eats in a controlled manner to avoid an ‘ice cream headache’.
Passively overresponsive (is not calming themselves)
- May regret opting for a new flavour. Next time the favorite one again; cookie dough.
- One or two scoops, it doesn’t matter that much. Unfortunately, by licking a little too hard, pushes the scoops off the cone.
- Forgot that they shouldn’t have taken disco dip, as it always gets stuck between their teeth.
- Gets distracted by icecream dripping onto their hand. While brushing this off they don’t pay attention to the icecream which did not stop dripping.
- Enjoys the ice cream, may be bothered by noisy neighbors at a table further down.
Gymclass
We look at 5 types of children during gymclass.
Neutral
- Changes his clothes, chats a little, laughs at a joke or makes their own. Might talk about what he did yesterday.
- Enters the gym with others. Sees whether it is playtime or time to line up.
- May not have registered the teacher saying “Playtime is over, please stop and sit down” at first, but sees others sitting down and knows to follow this lead.
- Likes dodgeball, watches carefully; what seems to be the best tactics on where to move to.
- Duck, duck, goose is fun, but be fast! Yes, tagged her in time!
Actively underreponsive (is actively trying to get more input)
- Chats and walks around while putting on gymclothes. Takes a long time to get changed.
- Runs into the P.E. teacher when he enters the gym.
- Continues playing even when he hears the request to line up. He wants to climb over the gymnastic equipment one more time. And then another.
- Is quite fanatic at dodgeball, doesn’t always pay attention to what would be a tactical position.
- Finds Duck, duck, goose BORING!
Passively underresponsive (is not trying to get more input)
- Sits down on a bench in the dressing room. Takes a long time to get dressed. Can’t find stuff.
- One of the last to enter the gym.
- Continues playing, does not notice the P.E. teacher telling everyone to line up. Does not see that most of their classmates have done so.
- Always gets hit fairly quickly during dodgeball.
- Is fine with Duck, duck, goose, but can hardly ever tag the person in time.
Actively overresponsive (is calming themselves)
- Sits down in a quiet corner of the dressing room. Always changes in the same order.
- Avoids classmates when he walks into the gym. Stays close to the P.E. teacher or sits down on a bench.
- Stops immediately when the P.E. teacher says so, lines up and urges others to do so as well.
- Has found exactly the right tactics in dodgeball that gives him the least chance of being hit.
- Duck, duck, goose is a favorite, most times he can tag the person in time.
Passively overresponsive (is not calming themselves)
- Is annoyed by the noisy and fidgety classmate next to him, talking too loud and bumping into him.
- Unintentionally ends up in a squeeze at the door to the gym.
- Is happy to line up.
- Complains about someone throwing the ball too hard and is a little afraid of the ball. Is happy when he is hit and can go to the back line.
- Is fine with Duck, duck, goose and usuallyis able to tag in time. Unless he was distracted by a rowdy neighbor.
Having a drink
We look at 5 types of students while drinking/pouring lemonade.
Neutral
- Generally pours lemonade in a neat enough manner.
- Can drink smoothly without spilling (usually ).
- Isn’t really interested in someone else’s lemonade, might argue about what tastes good and what doesn’t.
- Usually drinks calmly, but drinks quickly when thirsty.
- Chooses different flavors, but does have favorites.
Actively underreponsive (is actively trying to get more input)
- Pours a little too enthusiastically, a wave of lemonade spills.
- Knocks the drink over, being very fidgety, wiggling on his chair.
- Tastes someone else’s drink out of curiosity and requests a cup of that flavor too.
- Drinks greedily and therefore spills some of the lemonade.
- Choose the sour lemonade. Wants more.
Passively underresponsive (is not trying to get more input)
- Doesn’t stop pouring in time, his mind had wandered.
- Knocks the lemonade over, because of being a bit clumsy.
- Does not concern himself with (the lemonade of) others. Don’t notice there are different flavors.
- Drinks slowly, takes a long time. Doesn’t notice if it’s spilling.
- The taste doesn’t matter that much, he’s very flexible.
Actively overresponsive (is calming themselves)
- Pours the lemonade very slowly and carefully.
- Guards the lemonade, puts it somewhere where it won’t fall over.
- Prevents others from drinking it.
- Drinks carefully, no lemonade spills or sticks around his lips.
- Has a favorite flavor, doesn’t mind if it’s not available. Complains if the lemonade is not made just right (too sweet or too watery).
Passively overresponsive (is not calming themselves)
- Prefers not to pour themselves.
- Doesn’t watch where he puts his drink. When he knocks it over, he is startled.
- Doesn’t interfere with someone else’s lemonade. Gets annoyed when someone else interferes with his lemonade.
- Drinks too quickly because he’s a little stressed, makes a mess and gets even more stressed.
- Chose sour lemonade. Doesn’t like it and wants another flavor.
Watching movies
We look at 5 types of children while watching a video.
Neutral
- Watches the video.
- Listens to the video but also to what is happening around her.
- Responds to a joke a classmate makes about the video.
- Hears the instruction from the teacher that it is smart to pay attention to the video, because there will be questions about it later.
- Afterwards, can correctly answer most questions about the video.
Actively underreponsive (is actively trying to get more input)
- Watches the video. Looks around the class. Looks outside.
- Listens to the video, hears someone say ‘playground’ and remembers that he is going to a themepark this weekend. He moves back and forth as if he’s already on the roller coaster.
- Watches the video and makes a joke about something that happens in it. He slouches in his chair.
- Hears the teacher saying something, but does not follow the content. He’s still doing his joke.
- Afterwards, he knows how to answer a few questions about the video, while he balances on two legs of his chair. In the meantime, he thinks about what he will do in the themepark.
Passively underresponsive (is not trying to get more input)
- Watches the video. Finds it hard to keep paying attention to it. She rests her chin on her hands.
- Listens to the video and likes that there is a song in it, she can follow this part well.
- Heard there’s laughter in class, but is not sure why. The song wasn’t funny. Was it?
- Hears what the teacher is saying and startles a little. Was it already mentioned beforehand that they would get questions about this? She takes extra care to watch the rest of the video. She sits up straight. Moments later, she slouches again.
- She knows how to answer a number of questions about the video well. She is disappointed that she had not immediately heard that questions would follow, then she would have tried to pay more attention in the beginning.
Actively overresponsive (is calming themselves)
- Watches the video. Sits up straight so he can see and hear everything well. Has already prepared paper and pencil to take notes.
- Listens to the video, but puts his hands over his ears when they play a song and some classmates start singing along.
- Tells other children to be silent and looks to the teacher for help.
- If he’s not sure he heard something right, he asks: were they talking about a playground?
- Gets almost all questions right.
Passively overresponsive (is not calming themselves)
- Watches the video. Meanwhile, he chews on his pencil.
- He could do with a little less volume, especially when they sing that song.
- Feels a bit of panic build up when some classmates start laughing. Even more noise. How can he keep paying attention to the video and answer the questions correctly later?
- He hears the teacher’s instruction and thinks; ‘Yes, I already knew that, shut up, otherwise I won’t be able to answer the questions later’.
- Answer most questions about the video correctly. But remains restless and annoyed that he does not know everything. If only everyone had been a little quieter!
Working independently
We look at 5 types of children while working independently.
Neutral
- Takes things out of the drawers. Had to search a bit, because some worksheets were in the way. But found things pretty quickly.
- Asks the teacher one question and is ready to get started.
- Occasionally looks around or fiddles with his pencil and then continues working.
- Asks a question to a classmate or the teacher when he is unable to continue.
- Checks whether he has done everything before handing in the work on time.
Actively underreponsive (is actively trying to get more input)
- Takes a long time to get the necessary things from his drawers. They are full – in addition to books, workbooks and notebooks – with scented markers, a pencil case, various erasers, loose sheets of paper, kneaded eraser, rubber bands, stickers, licorice….
- Goes to sharpen their pencil first. Chats with someone on the way. Is asked by the teacher to get to work. Gets asked a second time.
- Back at the table he realizes that he still has to go to the toilet. Calls out to the teacher to ask if this is allowed.
- Pushes his chair back on two legs and raises his finger to ask a question. Looks around.
- Turns in work too quickly (didn’t see one of the questions and skipped it, was distracted).
Passively underresponsive (is not trying to get more input)
- Can’t find the necessary stuff in her drawers. They are crammed with crumpled pieces of paper, old pencils without points, small, unusable pieces of eraser, crafts that should have been taken home, notebooks and (work)books mixed together and stacked haphazardly.
- Can’t find everything, remains a bit indecisive, occasionally rummaging in her drawers. Until the teacher or a classmate helps to find the right things.
- Not sure exactly what to do anymore. Tries to look over at a classmate and looks for something in her book. At first forgets to request help.
- She raises her hand, but her mind wanders when there is no immediate response. Continues searching around in her book.
- When the teacher has finally seen her and she has received the correct instructions, she can get to work. There is not enough time left to complete the entire assignment.
Actively overresponsive (is calming themselves)
- Quickly takes things out of his drawers. They are neatly arranged; notebooks and workbooks on one side, books on the other. All pens, pencils and erasers in a case. Ruler, on the side. Fidget toys in a closed ziplock bag.
- Grabs different colored pens, a ruler for underlining, typex and a sheet of paper.
- Before starting, he puts his textbook upright so that he can ‘disappear’ behind it.
- He has heard and understood all instructions.
- Puts his fingers in his ears and chews on the lace of his hoody while reading the assignment. Chews the lace and fiddles with a paperclip while writing.
- Becomes increasingly tense while completing the assignment due to distracting noises and movements. Finished the assignment on time, but is tired.
Passively overresponsive (is not calming themselves)
- Wants to quickly grab things from her drawers, but gets caught up in the clutter. For example, there is a messy pile of old assignment sheets that she should have taken home a long time ago, pens that no longer work and stubs of pencils. She forgot to clean out the drawers again.
- Finally found everything. Then exchanges the pencil, because this one actually has a grip that is too thick and that does not write well.
- Raises her hand to ask some more questions. Is not immediately seen by the teacher and stays with her hand raised for minutes. Gets very annoyed but makes no effort to attract attention.
- Wiggles her leg, shifts around while making the assignment. Looks around annoyed at sources of noise.
- Finishes the assignment on time but is very annoyed by the end.