Fact vs. Fiction: Clearing Up Common Misconceptions About Sensory Processing

Is your child “too sensitive,” or do they just have sensory quirks they’ll grow out of? Maybe you’ve heard that sensory diets can fix everything—or that sensory seeking is just ADHD in disguise. In this episode of the STEPS for Development podcast, pediatric occupational therapist Debra Johnson takes on six of the most common myths about sensory processing and sets the record straight.

You’ll learn:

• Why Sensory Processing Disorder isn’t a formal medical diagnosis—but sensory challenges are very real.
• The difference between a “sensory diet” and a true “sensory life.”
• Why kids don’t just outgrow sensory differences
• The wide spectrum of sensory responses—far beyond being “too sensitive.”
• The difference between ADHD and sensory seeking
• Why meltdowns aren’t about “bad behavior” but nervous system overload.

By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what’s fact vs. fiction in the sensory world—and feel more confident in supporting your child with empathy and compassion for sensory processing differences.