Adult Sensory Profiles:
Understanding Sensory Needs and Supporting Regulation 

Everybody processes sensory information differently. A busy shopping centre may barely register for one person, while for another, the lights, sounds, conversations and movement can quickly become overwhelming.

Sensory preferences can affect how comfortable we feel, how we respond to different environments and how easily we take part in everyday activities. 

For adults who experience sensory overload or distress, understanding these patterns can be an important first step. 

An Adult Sensory Profile helps build a clearer picture of how a person notices, processes and responds to sensory information. 

This can include sensory input such as:

• sound
• touch
• movement
• visual information
• smells and tastes
• body awareness and movement

The aim is not to label someone as being “too sensitive” or responding incorrectly. It is about understanding how their nervous system responds to different types of sensory input and what might help them feel more comfortable and regulated. 

A sensory profile can also help identify patterns that may not have been obvious before. 

For example, someone may regularly leave busy environments, avoid particular clothing, become distressed by unexpected noise or seek out movement throughout the day. Understanding the sensory reasons behind these responses can help make everyday situations easier to manage. 

How can sensory processing affect everyday life?

Sensory processing difficulties can affect various different people in various different ways.

For example, one person may feel overwhelmed by certain sounds, textures or environments, whilst another may actively seek sensory input, such as movement, pressure or repetitive activities, because it helps them feel settled or focused.

Sensory differences may show up as:

• anxiety, distress or agitation in certain environments
• avoiding particular places, tasks, foods or textures
• difficulty concentrating when there is a lot happening around them
• becoming overwhelmed by unexpected changes or sensory input
• needing movement or sensory input to stay focused
• finding some daily routines tiring or difficult
• withdrawing from activities or social situations
• strong emotional or behavioural responses when sensory demands become too much

These responses can sometimes be misunderstood when the sensory factors behind them are not recognised.

Understanding what is contributing to a response can help shift the focus from simply asking, “How do we stop this behaviour?” to asking, “What might this person be experiencing, and what could make this situation easier?”

What happens during a sensory assessment?

A sensory assessment helps build a clearer picture of how sensory processing is affecting a person’s everyday life, not just how they respond to individual sounds, textures or environments.

An Occupational Therapist may explore a person’s sensory preferences alongside their daily routines, environments and activities. This can help identify patterns, triggers and situations where sensory input may be supporting someone, as well as where it may be contributing to stress or difficulty.

The Occupational Therapist can then work with the person, and where appropriate their family, carers or support workers, to develop practical strategies that fit into everyday life.

Importantly, sensory strategies should be individual and personalised. What helps one person regulate may feel uncomfortable or unhelpful for someone else.

What kinds of strategies can help?

Strategies will depend on the person’s sensory profile, preferences, routines and goals. What might be a great strategy for one person, may make things worse for someone else. This is why sensory strategies need to be personalised for the individual.

Strategies might include:

• adjusting noise, lighting or other environmental factors
• creating calmer spaces for breaks or recovery
• planning sensory breaks throughout the day
• changing the timing or structure of certain activities
• including movement or other preferred sensory input in routines
• preparing for environments that may be busy or unpredictable
• helping families, carers and support workers recognise early signs of sensory overload

Often, relatively small changes can make everyday activities feel more manageable.

The aim is to identify practical strategies that help the person feel more regulated and comfortable in everyday situations.

How can an Occupational Therapist help?

Occupational Therapists look at how sensory processing connects with everyday life.

Rather than considering sensory preferences in isolation, an OT can explore how they may be affecting things such as routines, work, relationships, self-care, sleep, social activities or time spent out and about.

From there, strategies can be developed around the person’s own goals and what living well looks like for them.

This might mean feeling more comfortable in certain environments, taking part in more activities, recovering more easily after sensory overload or helping the people around them understand what support is useful.

Possible outcomes

A better understanding of sensory needs may help support:

• improved emotional regulation
• reduced distress in challenging environments
• increased participation in everyday activities
• greater confidence understanding personal sensory needs
• more consistent support strategies for families, carers and support workers
• routines and environments that better suit the individual

Understanding sensory processing can help make sense of experiences that may previously have felt confusing or unpredictable.

With the right information and strategies, people can build routines and environments that work better for them and support greater comfort, choice and participation in everyday life.

To learn more about Adult Sensory Profiles or Occupational Therapy at McCall, contact the team on (02) 9679 1031 or engagement@mccall.org.au