The Daily Struggles of a Sensational Teen

It was 6:30 a.m. Mary, mother of 17-year-old Jason, woke up and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. When she
turned on the tap to get some water, she suddenly heard Jason shouting.

“Why are you making such a noise? I’m still sleeping!”
Startled, Mary quickly turned off the tap. She then went to the fridge to get some eggs. As she closed the fridge door,
Jason’s voice rang out again.

“Stop it! Why are you still making noise? I can’t go back to sleep again. It’s irritating!”
Mary sighed and sat down. Her mind raced—how could she possibly get breakfast ready by 7:00 a.m. when Jason had to
leave for school by 7:30 a.m.? Deep down, she felt a profound sadness. Jason had once been a kind-hearted child, but
now, he seemed so unreasonable and ungrateful.

Sensory Sensitivities Creating Tension

This scenario played out almost every morning. Jason’s super sensitive hearing created constant tension between him and his mother. Even small noises could frustrate him to the point of losing control. Self-regulation had become a significant challenge for him. But it wasn’t just sound—Jason was also highly sensitive to smell and taste. He could easily tell if dishes or clothes had been washed based on their scent. If Mary used vinegar for cleaning, he would complain about the strong smell. When it came to food, Jason loved bold, flavourful tastes and often criticised Mary’s simple home-cooked meals.

Early Signs of Sensory Sensitivity

As a child, Jason had shown extreme sensitivity to different sensory signals. For instance, balloons made him uneasy—he would cover his ears and refuse to go near them. He cried when water was showered over his head and would only tolerate it if it was gently poured using a ladle. Even hugs made him uncomfortable. Despite his high sensitivity, Jason was an active and cheerful child. He had many ideas and knew exactly what he wanted to do. When he found situations overwhelming—such as crowded or noisy places—he would simply remove himself rather than throwing tantrums. Jason had a short course of occupational therapy to address his high sensitivity (sensory defensiveness). The therapy helped — he became more affectionate and gradually accepted different sensory experiences. One of the most noticeable improvements was his ability to walk into a room filled with balloons, as long as he covered his ears.

The Return of Sensory Challenges

Over the years, however, Jason’s sensitivity seemed to have increased again. He is taking his A-level examination this year. As a studious student, he studies hard and often works late into the night.To keep himself awake and alert, his craving for strong and intense flavours has become stronger and stronger. He often makes himself a bowl of extra-spicy instant noodles at midnight to boost his energy. Although Jason excelled academically, his irritability had increased. Everyday occurrences—sounds, scents, crowded places, and traffic jams—agitated him more than ever. When things didn’t go his way, he would have outbursts, shouting at people and slamming objects. Jason had become a difficult and rude teenager. To some extent, his heightened sensitivity and poor behaviour were tied to his rising stress levels.

Understanding Sensational Teens and Their Sensory Challenges

Jason is one of the many sensational teens I have met over the years. As described by Lucy Miller, Ph.D., OTR/L, in her book Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder, sensational kids have atypical responses to sensory signals. These atypical responses often impact their behaviour and attention. For instance, a boy who is extremely sensitive to touch may refuse to wear his school shirt and tie, throwing a tantrum every time he has to put on his uniform. People who do not understand sensational kids may view this boy as unreasonable and defiant. Similarly, a child highly sensitive to sound may be easily distracted — something as subtle as the ticking of a mechanical clock could completely pull their focus away from their work.

The Importance of Treatment and Support

With proper treatment and management, children with sensory sensitivities can learn to tolerate stimuli that previously overwhelmed them. However, a key factor in their progress is parental support and understanding. Parents play a crucial role in helping their children develop self-regulation skills and manage their behaviour. That said, sensory sensitivity is often linked to stress levels and alertness. It is not uncommon for children who initially improve to experience a return — or even an increase — in their sensory challenges when facing major transitions, such as starting a new school or a new school year. With heightened sensitivity and stress, sensational kids may struggle to maintain an optimal state (of arousal), making it difficult to apply the coping strategies they have learned.

Why Sensational Teens Behave the Way They Do

Adolescence is a time of significant change, and with increasing demands from school, family, and society, an increase in sensory sensitivity is expected. Since sensational teens are highly affected by their sensory environment, their behaviour is often guided by their sensory needs. They naturally avoid stimuli that feel overwhelming and seek out those that help soothe their overstimulated nervous system. Sometimes, their behaviour may seem irrational. Take Jason, for example. His frustration with noise led him to lash out at his mother in the morning. However, Mary, being a supportive and understanding parent, doesn’t see Jason as simply being rude. She recognises that his behaviour stems from his struggle to manage the sensory signals in his environment. Mary still remembers the kind-hearted boy Jason used to be — how he would wait for her to come home for dinner without being asked and how he would voluntarily carry heavy grocery bags for her. Instead of reprimanding him for his recent outbursts, she accepts him as he is, and acknowledges his stress and sensory challenges. Together, they find ways to help Jason cope, ensuring that he understands his issues are manageable rather than viewing himself as a delinquent.

The Hidden Struggles of Sensational Teens

Since the attention and behaviour of sensational teens are heavily influenced by their environment, they may struggle to maintain self-control. Despite being bright and intelligent, they have to put in extra effort to “fight off” the overwhelming sensations around them. This constant battle can leave them feeling exhausted and disorganised. As a result, it is not uncommon to see underachievement and disorganisation among sensational teens. Many people fail to appreciate the daily challenges they face. A slight sound that most people ignore — such as the hum of an air conditioner — can feel unbearable to a person with sound sensitivity (auditory defensiveness). Because their behaviour may seem out of place, sensational teens are often misjudged as spoiled or lacking discipline.

The Role of Parents in Supporting Their Teens

Parents must advocate for their children and help others understand their unique needs. Mary’s support for Jason, for example, protects his self-esteem and encourages him to approach his challenges with a positive mindset. Early intervention is also critical. Along with treatment, parents can learn more about what causes their child’s challenges, helping them accept their child instead of trying to make them act like other kids. With this understanding, parents can find positive and practical ways to help their child manage sensory sensitivities. While these issues may not completely go away, the right support can make a big difference in their daily life.

Helping Sensational Teens Thrive

Even with a strong foundation from early intervention, sensational teens will need ongoing support as they navigate the growing challenges of adolescence. Programmes focused on self-regulation and anger management can be especially helpful, while parental support remains just as essential during this stage. Books such as How to Talk So Teens Will Listen and Listen So Teens Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish may be a good guide to facilitate the interaction between parents and their teenage children. 

At lunchtime, Mary received a text from Jason:
“Mum, wait for me to come home before going to the supermarket. I’ll go with you. The grocery is heavy.”
His thoughtfulness warmed Mary’s heart.

Despite his recent struggles and moments of rudeness, Jason remains a kind-hearted young man. Deep down, he genuinely cares for others, but his sensitivity issues sometimes overshadow the warmth and compassion that define him.

Author bio

Jeanette Suen is a retired occupational therapist with nearly 40 years of experience working with children in Hong Kong, Singapore and Canada. Specialising in paediatric developmental and neurodevelopmental disorders, she is the founder of Hand in Hand OTC, Singapore. Jeanette is also passionate about training, mentoring young therapists, and conducting workshops on paediatric occupational therapy and sensorimotor development.