Does your child get upset by tags in clothing, the sound of flushing toilets, or certain smells in the environment? If so, your child could be having difficulties with sensory defensiveness. Sensory defensiveness is a negative reaction to one or more types of sensations which require you as the parent to control his/her daily routine to avoid such things or deal with the fall out. These may include touch, movement, sound, taste/texture, or smell.