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This Post-Primary Sensory Indicator is not a medical diagnostic tool and does not replace an occupational therapy assessment, medical advice, or an individual therapy programme. Use the results as observation and planning guidance only.
Post-Primary Sensory Indicator
Instructions
Post-Primary Aged Resource: Designed for teenagers and post-primary school contexts. Use the primary version for primary-aged children.
This post-primary sensory indicator is designed to help adults observe how a teenager responds to sensory input during lessons, movement around school, breaks, practical subjects, homework, and everyday routines. It is not a diagnostic tool and is not a substitute for an occupational therapy assessment or individual occupational therapy programme.
A Note on Answering: Answer based on the student's usual observable behaviour and preferences, within the context of their own abilities, communication style, culture, and school environment. If a question is not relevant or you do not have enough information, choose Unsure.
After completing the questionnaire, seven sensory areas will be shown in a bar chart:
Touch (Tactile)
Balance & Movement (Vestibular)
Body Awareness (Proprioception)
Hearing (Auditory)
Sight (Visual)
Taste & Smell (Olfactory)
Internal Body Awareness (Interoception)
Each section looks at three sensory response patterns:
Sensory Seeking - looking for more input to feel regulated, focused, or alert.
Sensory Avoiding - becoming overloaded by input and needing more control, predictability, or reduced intensity.
Low Registration - missing or under-noticing input unless it is stronger, clearer, or built into a routine.
The Scores & Activity Plan: The bar chart will show how the student scored in each area. A student may show more than one pattern in the same sensory system. Any High or Moderate score in Sensory Seeking, Sensory Avoiding, or Low Registration will generate post-primary strategies in the Activity Plan tab. Scores in the Typical range do not generate a support plan.
Understanding the Results:
High: This indicates a strong sensory pattern in Seeking, Avoiding, or Low Registration. The explanation and Activity Plan tabs will give specific strategy ideas for these areas.
Moderate: This suggests that support may be helpful in Seeking, Avoiding, or Low Registration. These areas are worth observing and trialling strategies for.
Typical: Scores in this range suggest the student's responses are broadly within typical limits and do not generate a specific sensory strategy.
Sensory Indicator
Sensory Response Types: What They Mean
Response Type
What It Means
Goal
Seeker
Craves more input-can't get enough!
Give lots of chances to safely explore sensory input in an appropriate and structured way.
Avoider (Sensitive)
Overwhelmed by input-too much is stressful, dysregulating, uncomfortable or sometimes painful.
Reduce unexpected input, build trust, use gentle, predictable exposure.
Low Registration (Under-responsive)
Doesn't notice input easily-may seem sleepy, zoned out, or unmotivated.
Use clear, strong, and alerting input to help them "wake up" and engage.
Understanding the Sensory Systems
System
What is it and what does it do?
Tactile (Touch)
Your sense of touch-from the light brush of a feather to firm pressure. It helps with: knowing where your body is, feeling safe, recognising danger (hot/sharp), and enjoying the sensation of different textures.
Proprioception (Body Awareness)
Knowing where your body parts are without looking. It helps with: moving smoothly, using the right amount of force, and feeling grounded and calm.
Vestibular (Balance & Movement)
Your sense of movement and balance, located in the inner ear. It helps with: sitting still, walking in a straight line, and feeling steady and alert.
Visual (Sight)
Seeing and making sense of what you see (light, colour, movement, shape). It helps with: finding things, reading, copying from the board, and paying attention.
Auditory (Hearing)
Hearing and making sense of sounds. It helps with: listening, understanding instructions, and managing noise levels.
Olfactory (Taste & Smell)
Your sense of taste and smell are linked. They help with: eating, tolerating smells, enjoying food, and regulating through sucking or chewing.
Interoception (Internal Body Feelings)
Knowing what's going on inside your body. It helps with: knowing when you're hungry, thirsty, need the toilet, tired, hot, or upset.
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