Sensory Integration Education

Welcome to Sensory Awareness Month! This month, we shine a spotlight on the profound impact Sensory Integration (SI) can have on children, adults, and families. By embracing a sensory informed approach, daily life, learning, and overall well-being can drastically improve for individuals with sensory processing differences.

If you’re new to the world of Sensory Integration, take a moment to explore our guide, What is Sensory Integration? for a solid foundation on this approach.

In this blog we have collated quotes from individuals who have encountered the use of a Sensory Informed approach or Sensory Integration Therapy to support individuals with sensory processing differences.

“We were spending thousands of pounds on padding bedrooms for those with significant head-banging behaviours and realised that wasn't actually helping because it wasn't giving them the skills to regulate in any environment”

This testimony highlights a critical aspect of sensory processing challenges: they are not confined to specific spaces. Our sensory needs accompany us everywhere, whether at home, in school, or out in the bustling world. Understanding how to regulate sensory input in any environment is key to reducing harmful behaviours and building lasting skills. Sensory Integration therapists will help to develop strategies that allow individuals to manage their responses to these triggers.

“When I realised the power of the compassionate sensory reframe, giving people permission to accept and be kind themselves or their family member”

Sensory reframing involves understanding sensory processing differences and shifting the way we perceive them. For many, sensory behaviours are misunderstood, and often seen as disruptive or abnormal. A sensory-informed approach allows caregivers, parents, and individuals to reframe these behaviours with compassion and acceptance. This not only transforms how individuals manage their sensory challenges but also strengthens family dynamics by fostering a deeper understanding of each person’s unique sensory needs.

“One little boy was described as 'hyper' due to continually bouncing and moving. When he was made to sit he almost immediately fell asleep. I recognised that all his movement was his attempt at keeping himself alert enough to function and without that movement he was unable to.”

This example beautifully illustrates the power of a sensory lens. What might appear to be disruptive behaviour is often a strategy individuals use to self-regulate. In this case, movement was essential for the child to maintain alertness. Without the insight of Sensory Integration this therapist wouldn’t have got to the cause of the continuous movement, and thus not be able to find other strategies to support his sensory processing differences.   

Sensory Integration isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s about working closely with each individual to understand their unique sensory profile. With the right training and knowledge, therapists and caregivers can adapt environments and daily activities to better support sensory processing needs, profoundly improving quality of life. As one therapist shared:

“Sensory Integration is about working with the individual… which could allow you to change a person’s everyday life experience for the better.”

Sensory profiles are the foundation upon which much of a child’s daily experience is built. By gaining insight into how a child processes sensory information, parents and caregivers can better support their development and enhance their ability to participate fully in all aspects of life. In addition, drawn from an NHS initiative by Rebecca Plant, Occupational therapist and SI Practitioner and Ruth Howe: Occupational Therapist. They hosted two multi-agency-led groups, and in both groups, there were positive outcomes. Some of the young participants found that a better understanding of their own sensory needs allowed them to accept themselves and helped them to advocate for themselves better.

As one member eloquently put it: “It is important when parents and caregivers understand the importance of their child's sensory profile for daily life, play, schooling, and social participation.”

As we conclude Sensory Awareness Month, it’s clear that Sensory Integration or a sensory informed approach has the power to transform lives. Whether helping a child stay alert through movement, calming sensory anxiety with deep pressure, or teaching a family how to embrace their loved one’s sensory needs, the possibilities are endless. Sensory Integration provides the tools we need to navigate a world rich with sensory input—empowering individuals to thrive, not just survive.

If you haven’t explored Sensory Integration yet, now is the perfect time to start!