Sara is a six year old who wears the same soft pink dress each day. She is very fussy about her clothes and how the textures feel on her sensitive skin. She will cry easily if made to wear something new. John is an 11 year old who will only eat chicken strips and French fries. At a glance, some may call John a picky eater, but the explanation is more complex. He has a strong preference for foods that are cut lengthwise, just the right size for him to place on the center of his tongue while not touching any other area.

Sara and John are two of many children who experience the symptoms of a sensory processing disorder, also known as sensory integration dysfunction, and defensiveness related to the developmental disorder of autism.