Sensory processing refers to how the brain receives, organizes, and responds to sensory input from the environment. It involves several senses, including visual (what you see), auditory (what you hear), taste, smell, touch (what you feel), vestibular (movement), proprioceptive (position in space, muscle force), and interoception (cues from your body's internal organs). Understanding your sensory processing profile can help you optimize performance and participation in daily activities.

How humans process and integrate sensory information significantly impacts how they participate in and experience the world around them. Sensory processing can impact many areas, including motor skills, executive functioning skills, social-emotional skills, behavior, emotional and mental well-being, physical health, resilience, productivity, and participation in meaningful activities. When our activities & environments match our sensory needs and preferences, we are more emotionally regulated and available for co-regulation, leading to a more positive experience in daily life activities.

Sensory Life utilizes a top-down evaluation process, examining where individuals experience barriers to participation, and then investigating why. Their client-centered approach is rooted in neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed principles, incorporating insights from the lived experiences of neurodivergent individuals, many of whom report sensory differences as an area impacting their lives. The approach also integrates theoretical concepts of sensory integration, developed by Jean Ayres, and polyvagal theory, developed by Stephen Porges. The sensory integration framework describes how the nervous system processes and integrates sensory input into action. Without successful integration of sensory information, learning, life participation, and emotional regulation are all negatively impacted. Polyvagal theory describes the hierarchy of the autonomic nervous system and its role in co-regulation. The Sensory Processing Measure-2 assessment is grounded in Ayres's sensory integration theory and is a valuable tool for identifying potential sensory processing challenges and developing effective strategies to optimize sensory integration in daily life activities.

Identify how your sensory needs and preferences drive your habits and life choices and develop goals that align with your sensory needs.

Increase self-awareness and feel more in control of your life.

Incorporate strategies to heal and strengthen your nervous system.

Learn ways to improve the person-environment fit and reduce any mismatch between your environment and sensory needs.

Make simple routine changes and increase utilization of sensory tools for improved nervous system regulation.

Facilitate calm, peaceful households and reduce chaos and parenting burnout.

Become more emotionally regulated and available for co-regulation.

Shift the conversation from "behavior modification" to identifying sensory needs and teaching self-regulation and social-emotional skills to children.

Identify needed workplace or school accommodations.

Supplement other assessments and evaluations (school, neuropsych, psychoeducational, medical diagnostics such as ADHD, autism, anxiety, PTSD, etc.), which often don't include the sensory portion of assessment, even though sensory differences are very prevalent among neurodivergent individuals.

Our approach at Sensory Life Assessment & Wellness is designed for anyone who wants to have a greater understanding of their sensory needs, learn about the relationship to executive functioning, and improve their nervous system functioning and self-regulation. We welcome clients who have a diagnosis of ADHD, autism, anxiety, PTSD, C-PTSD, depression, OCD, "behavioral" issues, or ODD, as well as individuals who are undiagnosed or self-identified neurodivergent.

Our sensory assessment services are highly recommended for educators, parents, therapists, and counselors working with neurodivergent and highly sensitive people.