Unusual sensory experiences

Some neurodiverse children experience the world in unique ways. For example:

• they may see colours when they hear music (mixing senses is called synesthesia)
• they may hear their thoughts as voices
• they may picture thoughts instead of hearing them

These differences are not always a sign of illness. They are part of how some brains work.

When to be concerned

Hearing voices is not always a problem. It becomes more worrying if the:

• voice says things that don’t match how the child sees themselves
• child’s behaviour or ability to cope changes suddenly
• child believes something that seems very unusual (like having magical powers)

Psychosis is a serious mental illness. It is very rare in children aged under 14 years. Mental health teams usually look for a sudden drop in how well a child is coping, along with unusual thoughts or feelings.

If your child hears voices but is otherwise doing well, it may not be a cause for concern. If you're unsure, speak to a professional who can help you understand what’s going on.