Sensory Modulation

Sensory modulation is a therapeutic intervention that engages a person’s senses to change how they feel. This involves using the senses and sensory environment to improve attention and a person’s ability to feel calm and engaged. It uses everyday sensations to change your level of arousal and help you feel better. We have eight senses which can make us feel more alert, less alert or just right.

• Touch

• Taste

• Smell

• Vision

• Hearing

• Body movement and awareness of the body in space (proprioception)

• Balance (vestibular system)

• Internal body sensations related to emotions (interoception).

Sensory Assessment

Sensory assessments are a comprehensive evaluation designed to understand how an individual processes and responds to sensory stimuli from their environment. Occupational Therapists may provide sensory processing assessment with questionnaires and interview which identify your unique sensory processing pattern. This is very individual and having a greater understanding of your sensory profile can support improved focus, overall wellbeing and participation in life.  These patterns can change in different environments, particularly when a person has experienced trauma.

Sensory Diet

A sensory diet is a client centred plan of sensory activities designed to help individuals achieve and maintain an optimal level or arousal and focus throughout the day. Occupational Therapists utilise information gathered from an individual’s sensory assessment to tailor a diet to their unique sensory needs. Creating a sensory diet involves helping you to identify and practice key sensory experiences which help you to feel safe in your body, calm and able to focus or energised according to what you want to do, and where you are.