How to approach a teenager with SPD going through puberty

Approaching a teenager with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) undergoing the changes associated with puberty requires both sensitivity and understanding. During puberty, adolescents go through physical, emotional, and social changes that can bring anxiety, along with new hygiene routines that add sensory input on top of existing sensory processing challenges.⁠^1,2 Here’s a guide on how to support teenagers with SPD during this pivotal phase of development:

1. Educate Them About Puberty

Start by providing clear, age-appropriate information about puberty. Body changes can make any young person anxious, especially if they do not know what to expect, so explain what is ahead and leave room for questions at their own pace.⁠¹ Children who over-respond to sensations are also more likely than their peers to have anxiety.⁠⁴ Use resources specifically designed for adolescents to make the information more relatable.

2. Discuss Sensory Changes

Puberty brings new sensory experiences, from deodorant and razors to more frequent showers and hair washing.⁠² Encourage your teenager to express which specific sensory inputs are becoming more challenging. Acknowledge their experiences and work together to find new coping strategies or adaptations, such as changing the type of clothing they wear or adjusting their daily routines to accommodate these changes.

3. Create a Safe Environment for Communication

Make it clear that it’s safe to talk about any topic, including the various aspects of puberty. Establish regular check-ins to discuss not only physical changes but emotional experiences as well. Ensure these conversations occur in a quiet, comfortable setting to reduce sensory overload.

4. Collaborate with Specialists

Consider consulting with occupational therapists who specialize in SPD and can provide tailored strategies to manage sensory challenges. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers sensory-based occupational therapy acceptable as one part of a wider treatment plan, and advises a thorough evaluation, because sensory difficulties also show up in anxiety, ADHD, and autism.⁠³ It could also be beneficial to work with a counselor or therapist who understands SPD and can support your teen through the emotional aspects of puberty.

5. Modify Sensory Diets

If your teenager has a sensory diet (a set of personalized activities to assist with daily sensory regulation), review and adjust it as needed to reflect their changing sensory sensitivities. An updated sensory diet may help them manage stress and sensory overload during puberty, but research on how well sensory-based therapies work is limited, so agree with the therapist on what you will watch for and check whether each change helps.⁠³

6. Promote Independence in Self-Care

With the onset of puberty, sweat and body odor increase, and many teens start using deodorant and showering and washing their hair more often.⁠² Teens with SPD may find some of these tasks overwhelming, because over-responding to sensations can get in the way of everyday routines such as getting dressed.⁠⁵ Work together to find suitable products and strategies that make self-care easier and more pleasant for them, fostering independence and confidence.

7. Support Social Connections

Social relationships can become more complex during puberty. Help your teen understand social cues and norms. Encourage participation in groups or clubs where they can meet peers with similar interests and challenges, providing opportunities for socializing in a more structured and understanding environment.

8. Focus on Emotional Regulation

Adolescence brings emotional changes as well as physical ones, and strong emotions can drive a teen’s decisions.⁠¹ Teach emotional regulation strategies such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or other stress-reduction techniques customized to their sensory preferences and tolerances. Regular physical activity is another way to cope when stress builds, and finding what works can take some trial and error.⁠⁶

9. Encourage Self-Exploration and Acceptance

Encourage your teen to explore and identify their own interests, strengths, and identity. Supporting their path to self-discovery honors the independence and individuality that are part of moving into adulthood.⁠¹ It’s essential for teens with SPD to learn self-acceptance, appreciating their unique perspective and abilities.

10. Provide Unconditional Support and Understanding

Perhaps the most crucial approach is offering your unwavering support and understanding. Validate their feelings, celebrate their successes, and provide comfort during difficult times. Parents remain a critical support throughout adolescence, even as teens push for more independence, so a safe and supportive home matters.⁠¹

Navigating puberty with SPD involves a multi-faceted approach centered on education, adaptation, and emotional support. By addressing both the sensory and emotional aspects of puberty, you can help your teenager manage this transitional period more effectively, promoting a positive path to adulthood.

Sources

1. American Academy of Pediatrics. Stages of Adolescence. HealthyChildren.org. Checked October 6, 2026.
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   The “physical, sexual, cognitive, social and emotional changes” of adolescence “can bring anticipation and anxiety”; body changes can cause anxiety “especially if they do not know what to expect”; parents should explain what is ahead and leave room for questions, and “are still a critical support throughout this time.”
2. American Academy of Pediatrics. Physical Development in Girls: What to Expect During Puberty. HealthyChildren.org. Increased sweating and body odor are normal changes and “why most girls begin using deodorants and/or antiperspirants at the start of puberty”; many start wanting to shower or wash their hair more often, and many show interest in shaving. Checked October 6, 2026.
3. Section on Complementary and Integrative Medicine; Council on Children with Disabilities; American Academy of Pediatrics. Sensory integration therapies for children with developmental and behavioral disorders. Pediatrics. 2012;129(6):1186–1189. doi:10.1542/peds.2012-0876 (PMID 22641765).
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   Occupational therapy with sensory-based therapies “may be acceptable as one of the components of a comprehensive treatment plan,” but research on its effectiveness “is limited and inconclusive”; sensory difficulty is seen in autism, ADHD, developmental coordination disorder and childhood anxiety, so a thorough evaluation should be completed.
4. Carpenter KLH, Baranek GT, Copeland WE, et al. Sensory over-responsivity: an early risk factor for anxiety and behavioral challenges in young children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. 2019;47(6):1075–1088. doi:10.1007/s10802-018-0502-y (PMID 30569253). In a community sample of 917 preschoolers, 43% of those with sensory over-responsivity also had an impairing anxiety disorder, and over-responsivity predicted anxiety symptoms at age 6.
5. Miller LJ, Nielsen DM, Schoen SA, Brett-Green BA. Perspectives on sensory processing disorder: a call for translational research. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience. 2009;3:22. doi:10.3389/neuro.07.022.2009 (PMID 19826493). SPD affects “participation in functional daily life routines and activities,” and sensory integration underpins daily activities “such as getting dressed in the morning.”
6. National Institute of Mental Health. I’m So Stressed Out! Fact Sheet. Lists relaxation exercises “such as deep breathing,” mindfulness and exercise among things to try when stress feels overwhelming, and notes “It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you.” Checked October 6, 2026.

Medical disclaimer. This page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your child.