This document discusses sensory sensitivities in schools for children with autism and additional needs. It notes that many pupils with autism have difficulty processing sensory information like sounds, sights, smells, and movement. These sensory sensitivities can profoundly affect their daily lives, behavior, learning, and cause anxiety. The document reports that most pupils in these special schools have some form of sensory sensitivity. It also discusses how occupational therapists help support students and the various assessments used to evaluate sensory processing.

1. Sensory
sensitivities in
PLASN schools
Centre for Research in Autism and Education
(CRAE)

2. 2
PLASN schools
Special school for children with autism
Special school for children with SEN
State maintained
Independent
0
50
100
150
200
250
Number of children
with an ASC
Non-ASC
859 children
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Lower age
limit
Upper age
limit

3. What is sensory sensitivity?
“Sensory sensitivities relate to the fact that often pupils/adults with
Autism have difficulty processing everyday sensory information such
as sounds, sights (including light), smells or movement (i.e. balance
or body awareness). Pupils may be hyper or hyposensitive to those
senses, which can have a profound effect on their daily life,
behaviour, access to the curriculum, and cause anxiety, stress and
challenging behaviour.”
3

4. What does sensory sensitivity effect?
4

5. What per cent of pupils have sensory
sensitivities?
5
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

6. Occupational Therapists in schools
6
NHS
1/2 and 1/2
In house
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Full time equivalent by school Who is paying for this

7. What assessments are used
7
Sensory Profile (SP)
Clinical observations
Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT)
Sensory Processing Measure (SPM)
Parent and Teacher interviews
fine motor activity assessments
Other questionnaires
gross motor activity assessments
handwriting assessments
MDT Assessment with SaLT and Psychologist
Movement Assessment Battery for Children
Pre-school sensory scan
School's in house Sensory Passport

8. What % of teachers/parents have a good knowledge
of their child’s sensory sensitivities?
8
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Teachers
Parents

9. 9
What next?
Institute of Education
University of London
20 Bedford Way
London WC1H 0AL
Tel +44 (0)20 7612 6000
Fax +44 (0)20 7612 6126
Email info@ioe.ac.uk
Web www.ioe.ac.uk
Centre for research in Autism
and Education (CRAE)
55-59 Gordon Square
Institute of Education, London
e: crae@ioe.ac.uk
w: ioe.ac.uk/crae