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Sensory profile

What is the sensory profile?

The sensory profile is a shared tool for anyone to use in collaboration with a young person.

It aims to help explain your sensory preferences and differences and how you experience the world. It is best created with you, using your own words. This will empower you to take ownership and use strategies to help yourself.

With your consent, share it with your support network. It will make sure everyone has a consistent approach to supporting their sensory differences and preferences. This tool is designed to evolve, and it can be updated as a person’s preferences change, or they learn new coping strategies.

What are the 8 senses?

The 8 senses are:

  • sound (auditory)
  • touch (tactile)
  • movement and balance (vestibular)
  • where my body is in space (proprioception)
  • smell (olfactory)
  • taste (gustatory)
  • sight (visual)
  • feelings in my body (interoception)

The profile lists our 8 senses over 6 boxes. We have grouped smell and taste together. And movement and balance, and my body’s position in space together in another box.

We all process sensory information differently so our profiles will be different. Some people will have differences in all their senses, for others, it may be only 1 or 2.

Please watch our sensory issues in children with autism and neurodisability video.


Which of my senses are affected and how?

This part of the profile is to document which of your senses are affected and in what way.

What are the sensory barriers to accessing every day and meaningful activities? What environment, object, or sensory experience is tricky for you? Are noises too loud or smells too strong? Are there certain fabrics that are uncomfortable? Do you rock or sway when seated? Do you bump into objects or people? Are personal care tasks challenging, why? What would you like to tell us about? What behaviour might you show?

You might want to talk about how strong your senses are too. People can communicate through their behaviour, and we should view it with curiosity. Some are subtle and less disruptive. All behaviours help to show how we experience our sensory world.

Things that help me

This part of the profile is to document strategies and resources and note what helps your experiences.

It should also include what you want others to know to get the right support. Do you use a weighted item or ear defenders? How do you use them? Do you need verbal or visual prompts to remind you to use the toilet? Do you need different seating options to support you in focusing and calming? Do you prefer to eat alone or in a small group away from the smell of a kitchen or canteen?


 

Which of my senses are affected and how?

Name:

Widgit of ear hearing sound

Sound

Widgit of hand touching something

Touch

Widgit of balance

Movement and balance, and where my body is in space

Widgit of smelling and tasting

Smell and taste

Widgit of eye

Sight

Widgit of emotions and chest pain

Feelings in my body

Things that help me

Widgit of ear hearing sound

Sound

Widgit of hand touching something

Touch

Widgit of balance

Movement and balance, and where my body is in space

Widgit of smelling and tasting

Smell and taste

Widgit of eye

Sight

Widgit of emotions and chest pain

Feelings in my body

Further resources

The Sensory Service has created resources to inform and advise on a variety of topics. It also has tips for regulation and guides on making social stories and visual timetables.

Learn Sheffield training resources.

Credit

Widgit Symbols © Widgit Software Ltd 2002-2024 www.widgit.com

Is something missing from this resource that you think should be included? Please let us know

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Disclaimer

Please note: this is a generic information sheet relating to care at Sheffield Children’s NHS FT. These details may not reflect treatment at other hospitals. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professionals’ instructions. If this resource relates to medicines, please read it alongside the medicine manufacturer’s patient information leaflet. If this information has been translated into another language from English, efforts have been made to maintain accuracy, but there may still be some translation errors. If you are unsure about any of the guidance in this resource or have specific questions about how it relates to your child, always ask your healthcare professional for further advice.

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Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TH

United Kingdom

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