Sensory Week 2024 roundup

Below is a summary of all the content we posted to our Facebook page over the course of Sensory Week 2024 – 11-17th of November. We shared insights, research, resources, and Autistic perspectives that highlight the importance of sensory experiences in the lives of Autistic people.

The themes:

1. Introducing the Senses – We’ll explore the range of sensory experiences and sensitivities. This foundational understanding is key to building empathy and awareness.
2. Introducing the Research – Discover our research into sensory processing in Autistic individuals. Our findings can be instrumental for healthcare providers, educators, and advocates who wish to make a positive difference.
3. Resources for Support – Keep an eye out for resources tailored for Autistic communities, families, carers, educators, and healthcare professionals.
4. Neurodivegent Perspectives – We’re including neurodivergent voices, sharing firsthand experiences.
5. Entertainment and Engagement – Our sensory journey wouldn’t be complete without considering how to cater towards more sensory-friendly spaces.

Recognising sensory needs can lead to better support in environments like schools, workplaces, and at home. We share key research from the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, articles, opinion pieces, and more!

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1. Introducing the Senses

How many senses do we have?

Most people would say the five classic senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

However, neurologists suggest we actually have nine. The classification of senses can overlap, though, meaning the total number could be as high as 21—or even more.

This article explores the history of the senses to kick off the week.

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2. Introducing the Research

OTARC Director, Professor Alison Lane, speaks about what we have learned to date about Autistic sensory experiences.

Professor Lane is an occupational therapist and internationally-recognised for her scholarship regarding sensory processing challenges in children, particularly as they relate to functioning in Autistic individuals.

OTARC peer-reviewed papers relating to sensory experience

Hyper-focus, sticky attention, and springy attention in young Autistic children: Associations with sensory behaviors and cognitive ability (Open access) We used eye-tracking technology to explore novelty preference and ‘sticky attention’—a pattern of slower disengagement from a focus of attention—in Autistic children. Our findings showed that Autistic and non-Autistic children showed similar tendencies for ‘sticky attention.’ However, carers of Autistic children reported more sensory hyper-responsiveness, sensory seeking/ interests, and heightened perception in their children. Additionally, Autistic children tended to have lower novelty preference than non-Autistic children, primarily driven by a return to already-familiarised stimuli – ‘springy attention’. ‘Springy attention’ was related to greater caregiver-reported hypo-responsiveness and reduced cognitive abilities.These unique attentional patterns in Autistic children may guide future understanding regarding their learning, development and experience.

Pathways to Anxiety and Depression in Autistic Adolescents and Adults (Open access). We took a transdiagnostic approach to explore the connections between Autistic traits, anxiety, depression, sensory sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty, insomnia and autonomic arousal. Our findings showed that sensory sensitivity, anxiety, insomnia and intolerance of uncertainty were associated with depression; autonomic arousal and sensory sensitivity were also indirectly associated with depression through insomnia. These results highlight multiple pathways leading to anxiety and depression, underscoring the need for thorough clinical assessment and tailored support plans for each individual.

Practitioner Review: Effective management of functional difficulties associated with sensory symptoms in children and adolescents. This review defines sensory symptoms, discusses their impact on childhood functions like social engagement and self-care, evaluates commonly used sensory assessment tools, and reviews sensory and non-sensory interventions. The findings highlight varied terminology across disciplines and reliance on proxy-report assessments (e.g. parent reports), with few tools covering all sensory symptoms. Although evidence for support programs is growing, more is needed. Effective management may reduce the impact of neurodevelopmental disabilities, with the strongest support for Ayres Sensory Integration®, Qigong massage, the Alert Program®, and Social Stories. Future research should focus on tailoring supports to individual needs.

Patterns of sensory modulation by age and sex in young people on the autism spectrum. This study examined the expression of sensory modulation (e.g. over-responding, under-responding, and sensation-seeking behaviours) using caregiver reports to identify sensory modulation subtypes. Our findings showed that sensory sensitivity and avoidance symptoms peaked in middle childhood (ages 6–12) and were particularly prominent in females. Five sensory modulation subtypes emerged, categorised by symptom severity (low, mid-range, high), with mid-range subtypes differing in focus on hyper-reactivity or sensory-seeking behaviours. These results suggest that age-related sensory symptom differences may primarily involve sensory hyper-reactivity. Understanding children’s strategies to manage sensory symptoms could inform tailored support approaches.

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3. Resources for Support

Inclusive education is vital for students with sensory sensitivities

Recent Australian policies and schools like Springbank Secondary College highlight the importance of creating supportive, sensory-friendly classrooms to ensure all students, including those with autism, can fully participate and thrive.

Read about how OTARC Director Professor Alison Lane delivered a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) of the literature about sensory processing challenges in schools and their impact on student behaviour and learning.

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4. Neurodivegent Perspectives

Hairstylist and Salon owner Stevie Vincent accommodates those with sensory sensitivities For example:

switching from clippers to scissors, consulting clients about the smell and texture of hair products, and using products like face shields.

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5. Entertainment and Engagement

Have you heard about the SoundPrint app?

SoundPrint allows you to discover the quieter venues in your city. The app’s internal decibel meter can measure the noise level of any venue, which is then submitted to a SoundPrint database that anyone can access!

Find your quiet place and check it out via this link – https://www.soundprint.co/about/story

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