Do Sensory Issues Ever Go Away? Understanding Sensory Sensitivities

What Are Sensory Issues?

Sensory issues refer to a condition where a person’s sensory system processes sensory input in an atypical way. This can involve one or more senses—sight, touch, hearing, taste, or smell. Individuals with sensory sensitivities may experience over-sensitivity, under-sensitivity, or complete avoidance of certain stimuli, like bright lights, loud noises, or certain textures.

I had a recent conversation with a close friend who has a child with sensory processing disorder (SPD), and she mentioned how exhausting it is to manage her child’s heightened sensitivity to sounds. This got me thinking—many people wonder if these sensory issues ever fade over time, or if they’re something that need to be managed long-term.

Do Sensory Issues Ever Disappear?

1. It Depends on the Person and the Severity

The answer to whether sensory issues go away depends on several factors, such as the individual’s age, the cause of the issues, and the severity of the symptoms. Some children with sensory sensitivities may experience a decrease in symptoms as they grow older. For example, a child who is sensitive to touch or certain textures may find that, over time, they can tolerate these stimuli better.

I recall an instance when my friend’s child, who used to react strongly to tags in shirts, eventually grew more comfortable wearing clothes with tags as he got older. But the transition wasn’t easy, and it didn’t happen overnight.

2. Sensory Issues in Adults

For adults, it’s a bit more complicated. Sensory issues often don’t just disappear with age, and for some people, they can persist into adulthood. If sensory sensitivities were present in childhood, they could continue or even worsen during stressful periods of life. I’ve spoken with people who deal with sensory overload regularly, especially in noisy or crowded environments, and they’ve learned to manage it, but it hasn’t gone away entirely.

It can be frustrating when you’re an adult, and you still struggle with things that seem so small to others. A colleague of mine told me how difficult it is for her to concentrate in open-plan offices because of the background noise. She’s found ways to cope—like using noise-canceling headphones—but the problem is still very much present in her life.

Managing Sensory Issues Over Time

1. Therapies and Interventions

One of the most effective ways to manage sensory issues is through sensory integration therapy (SIT) or occupational therapy. These therapies are designed to help individuals gradually become more tolerant of certain sensory inputs. For some, these therapies lead to significant improvement, and sensory issues may feel less overwhelming over time.

I had a conversation with another friend whose child has undergone sensory integration therapy. She explained how the child had slowly started to adjust to certain textures and sounds with regular sessions, though the process is ongoing. For some, therapy helps ease the intensity of their sensory experiences.

2. Creating a Supportive Environment

Another method to help manage sensory issues is through environmental adjustments. If someone is sensitive to light, using softer lighting or wearing sunglasses indoors can make a huge difference. Similarly, noise-canceling headphones or earplugs can help with sound sensitivity.

One of my relatives made simple adjustments at home—like installing dimmable lights and using soft textures in their furniture and clothing. These small changes helped them live more comfortably, even though the sensory sensitivities didn’t fully disappear.

Can Sensory Issues Be Outgrown?

The idea of "outgrowing" sensory issues is a common misconception. While some children may experience a reduction in sensory sensitivities as they get older, many people continue to experience some form of sensory processing challenges throughout their lives. For others, these challenges might evolve, but they don’t necessarily vanish.

During my chat with a friend who has a teenager with sensory sensitivities, I found out that her child’s sensitivities evolved, but they were still present. At first, the child couldn’t handle the sound of a vacuum cleaner. Now, at 16, the sound still bothers him, but he's learned strategies to cope. So, while it hasn’t gone away, he’s found ways to adapt.

Conclusion: Sensory Issues May Not Disappear, but They Can Be Managed

In conclusion, sensory issues may not always disappear, but they can be managed effectively with the right strategies. Whether it’s through therapy, creating a more sensory-friendly environment, or adapting to situations, many individuals find ways to reduce the impact of sensory sensitivities. While some people may outgrow them, for others, they might persist into adulthood.

If you or someone you know is dealing with sensory issues, it’s important to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Progress may be slow, but with the right tools and support, managing sensory sensitivities becomes more achievable over time.

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.