Supporting children with sensory processing needs
Children's sensory needs are best supported when families, schools and professionals work together.
We use a 24-hour approach. This means we look at how a child can be supported at home, in education settings and in the community.
Sensory environment
The following documents can be used to help you identify changes that may improve your child's sensory environment. They have been adapted from the Autism Education Trust tool.
These forms can be used in:
- pre-school and early years settings
- primary and secondary schools
- other environments such as at home, clubs or community spaces
Strategies for the classroom
The following video provides an overview of sensory-motor development and simple strategies you can use in the classroom.
Watch Creating positive learning environments on YouTube.
Cumbria Sensory Lead approach
The Sensory Lead approach helps schools and families understand and support a child's sensory needs.
Support for schools and education settings
We offer free training for:
- early years settings
- primary schools
- secondary schools
- alternative education providers
For early years and primary schools, each setting chooses one or two members of staff to become Sensory Leads.
For secondary schools and alternative education providers, we can be flexible with the delivery to suit your setting.
The training includes:
- information about sensory processing
- practical tools and resources
- resources to share with home
- ongoing support from the sensory service through optional online half-termly supervision
- a shared approach for home and education settings
Contact the sensory service to learn more about becoming part of the Sensory Lead Approach.
Support for parents and carers
We also offer training for parents and carers.
Training includes:
- information about sensory processing
- practical tools and resources
- resources to share with education settings
- access to ongoing support through our virtual clinic
- a shared approach between home and education settings
This helps everyone support the child in a consistent way. Contact the sensory processing team for more information.
After attending training, we encourage parents and carers to complete the Parent strategy recording sheet. This helps you keep track of the strategies you have tried and what effect they had.
For more information about training, contact the sensory service.
Contact the sensory service
Virtual clinic appointments
Many families find that the information, videos and training on this page give them the support they need.
If your child is still finding things difficult after trying strategies for at least 3 months, you may wish to book a virtual clinic appointment.
A virtual clinic appointment provides advice and support. It is not a referral for specialist treatment.
Before requesting an appointment
Before requesting an appointment, we recommend that you:
- watch the sensory processing videos
- attend parent or carer training
- complete the Parent strategy recording sheet
- try the recommended strategies for at least 3 months
What happens during a virtual clinic
You will have a 45 minute Microsoft Teams appointment with an Occupational Therapist.
The discussion will focus on:
- the difficulties your child is experiencing
- strategies you have already tried
- what has worked well
- new ideas that may help
Before the appointment, it can help to think about goals for your child. For example:
- brushing their hair more independently
- joining family outings
- walking on the beach
- coping better at mealtimes
After the appointment, you will receive a written summary and recommendations.
Booking a virtual clinic appointment
To request an appointment:
Email: sensoryprocessing@ncic.nhs.uk
You will need to include your completed Parent strategy recording sheet.