Supporting Your Autistic Child with an Intellectual Disability Making Sense of Sensory Challenges

When your child has both autism and an intellectual disability, it can be harder to spot sensory needs, especially if they struggle to explain what they’re feeling. But their body still reacts. Your job (and we know it’s a big one) is to become a bit of a detective.

Start by looking for patterns. Do meltdowns happen in certain shops? After specific meals? When wearing certain clothes? Even subtle things like lighting or background noise can tip things over the edge. Taking short videos during tricky moments can help you spot things you might have missed, especially if your child also has a medical condition that affects how they respond.

At home, create a space that feels calm and safe for them. That might mean soft lighting, quiet corners, loose comfy clothes without scratchy tags, or a box of their favourite textures or sensory toys. Think of it as a space where their body and brain can breathe.

Ask your child’s school or NHS team if they can help you create a “sensory diet”. This consists of small, regular activities that help keep your child regulated. That could include things like movement breaks, deep pressure (like big hugs or weighted blankets), or even combining sensory needs with physio if your child has a physical disability.

Visual supports can really help your child communicate. Try picture cards or simple signs that show things like “too loud,” “need break,” or “hurting.” These tools help your child tell you what’s going on — even if they can’t say it in words.

Finally, keep in mind that pain can look different. Some children show very little when they’re unwell or hurt. Others might have strong reactions to small discomforts. Changes in behaviour, like being more withdrawn or unsettled, could be your biggest clue that something’s not right.