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Welcome • Start Here

New to Sensory? Start Here.

This beginner hub gathers our most helpful guides for families and educators who are new to sensory processing, evaluations, and day‑to‑day supports. Read the basics, learn next steps, then explore tools when you’re ready.

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Essential beginner guides

Start here

Sensory Processing 101

What “sensory” means, how the systems work, and practical language for home & school.

Read the beginner explainer →
Newly diagnosed

First Steps After Diagnosis

Take a breath, gather information, and build a support system.

Plan your first steps →
Get support

Starting Therapy

Where to begin with OT, what sessions look like, and how to collaborate with providers.

Learn about therapy →
Foundations

Sensory Diets: Beginner’s Guide

What a sensory diet is, who it helps, safety, evidence, and how to work with an OT.

Understand sensory diets →
Popular

Sensory Toy Finder Quiz

Two‑minute quiz that matches toys/tools to common sensory needs. No sign‑up required.

Take the quiz →
Costs & coverage

Therapy Funding & Insurance 101

Copays, deductibles, prior auth, waivers, HSAs/FSAs—and scripts to verify your benefits.

See funding options →
In sessions

What OT Sessions Look Like

Session flow, your role as caregiver, documentation, and collaborating with school/clinic teams.

Work with your team →
Printables

Visual Schedules

Free templates and how‑to tips to make mornings, homework, and bedtime smoother.

Get templates →
Starter gear

10 Must‑Haves for the Newly Diagnosed

A simple kit across sensory systems with why‑it‑helps notes and safety pointers.

Shop the starter kit →

Safety & environment

New

Autism Home Safety

Elopement, water, kitchen & heat, cleaners/meds, smart‑home layers—plus a printable checklist.

Open the safety guide →
Environments

Sensory‑Friendly Spaces

Lighting, sound, visual clutter, and calm corners—set up spaces that actually work.

Make your space friendly →
At home

Sensory Room Guide

Budget‑to‑pro builds, product ideas, and safety basics—designed for real homes.

Plan a room →

Mini glossary

Occupational Therapist (OT)
A clinician who supports participation in daily activities (self‑care, learning, play) and can help design a sensory plan.
Sensory processing
How the brain receives, interprets, and responds to input from the senses (touch, movement, body position, sound, sight, smell, taste).
Sensory diet
A planned mix of activities and environmental supports across the day to help with regulation and participation—ideally developed with an OT.
Sensory seeking / avoiding
Seeking: craving more input (e.g., movement, touch). Avoiding: overwhelmed by certain inputs and prefers less. Many people show both in different contexts.
Modulation
How the nervous system adjusts to input—filtering, increasing, or decreasing responses to stay in a “just‑right” state.
Discrimination
Noticing the fine details of input (e.g., where a touch is on the hand, or how far to move a pencil). Challenges can affect motor planning.
Vestibular
Movement input from the inner ear (rocking, swinging, spinning). Dose carefully and follow with deep pressure if needed.
Proprioception (“heavy work”)
Input to muscles and joints (pushing, pulling, carrying). Often grounding and organizing for many people.
Tactile defensiveness
Strong discomfort with certain textures or unexpected touch. Use graded exposure and preferred textures with OT guidance.
Interoception
Sensing internal body states (hunger, thirst, temperature, bathroom needs, emotions). Supports can include visuals and body‑check routines.
Stimming
Self‑stimulating movements or sounds (e.g., rocking, hand‑flapping) that can help regulate. Support safety and respect preferred regulation.
Co‑regulation / self‑regulation
Co‑regulation: calming support from another person. Self‑regulation: independently shifting state with strategies and tools.
Motor planning (dyspraxia)
Planning and carrying out new or complex movements. Supports include modeling, visuals, and step‑by‑step practice.
Crossing midline
Moving a hand or foot across the center of the body (e.g., reaching to the other side). Important for coordination and handwriting.
ADLs / IADLs
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs: dressing, bathing, eating) and Instrumental ADLs (IADLs: chores, community tasks). Common OT goals.
AAC
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (e.g., picture boards, speech‑generating devices) to support communication.
IEP / 504 plan
Education plans in U.S. schools: IEP provides specialized instruction; 504 provides accommodations. Ask how sensory supports fit your plan.
Heavy work + vestibular pairing
Many OTs pair movement (vestibular) with deep pressure/heavy work afterward to support organizing effects.
Weighted items (OT‑guided)
Blankets, vests, or lap pads that provide deep pressure. Use with OT guidance regarding weight, time, and safety.
Oral seeking / defensiveness
Seeking: craving oral input (chewing, blowing). Defensiveness: discomfort with certain textures or temps. Consider chewables and safe options.
Noise sensitivity (hyperacusis)
Strong sensitivity to sound. Consider noise‑reducing headphones, quiet spaces, and planning for environments.
Visual supports
Schedules, choice boards, first‑then cards, and timers that make expectations clear and predictable.

What should I do next?

  1. Learn the basics — Read Sensory Processing 101 and the Sensory Diets Guide.
  2. Talk to your team — See Starting Therapy and First Steps After Diagnosis.
  3. Try a small plan — When ready, open the Sensory Diet App and start with the free templates.

Educational information only; not medical advice. Collaborate with a licensed OT for assessment, safe dosing, and goal alignment.