This information has been co-produced with parent carer forum and professionals who work in the local NHS and Local Authority including occupational therapists, specialist SEND team, CAMHS and education staff. The purpose is to provide guidance to parents/carers, professionals and practitioners who support children and young people who experience sensory processing differences with the aim to promote consistency among professionals and reduce uncertainty for families. We will review this information annually and as new evidence emerges. This information was last updated in May 2025.
The authors of this information are:
- Parent Carer Forum York
- Parent Carer Voice
- City of York Council
- North Yorkshire Council
- Us, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
What is sensory processing?
Our brain receives information from all our senses, such as sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste, proprioception (understanding where our body is in space), vestibular (how the body moves against gravity) and interoception (our internal sensations) which we use to interact with the world around us. This may affect our thoughts, feelings, motor responses, actions/behaviour, or a combination of these. We all process sensory information and for most people our ability to do this effectively and appropriately develops as we grow and mature.
How does sensory processing affect people?
All people process sensory information differently and have preferences for those sensory experiences they enjoy and seek, and those they do not like and avoid. Sensory processing differences can also include the ability to recognise and respond appropriately to sensory inputs. Sensory processing differences become a difficulty when they impact on a person’s ability to participate in activities that are necessary for their learning and development.
For example:
- Children might find sensory information overwhelming, and they might struggle to cope with certain sensory experiences. They may try to avoid certain things, people or places.
- Children might find everyday tasks difficult to tolerate, such as showering, wearing certain clothes, eating or teeth-brushing.
- Children may seek out sensations to help them to regulate in a way that creates a problem in another way (for example, needing to move a lot during lessons).
- When children are overwhelmed by sensory information it can make it more difficult for them to communicate their needs.
- Sensory sensitivities can lead to higher stress and anxiety levels in a child. This in turn can mean they’re more tuned into sensory information and can become overwhelmed more easily.
- Children may present differently from one day to the next and their sensory differences and difficulties may be context specific or be influenced by other factors, such as mood, tiredness or stress levels.
Sensory processing differences and other conditions
Evidence suggests that sensory processing differences are often associated with conditions like Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), mental health and trauma and attachment difficulties. However sensory processing differences can be experienced by anyone, and consideration of sensory stimuli and its impact on learning and function should be needs led and as such considered with, or without an associated diagnosis.
We acknowledge that Sensory Processing Disorder can sometimes be given as a diagnosis. However, it is not included in the International Classifications of Diseases (ICD) 10 or 11, or DSM V which are diagnostic manuals used to classify and diagnose physical health and mental health conditions and is therefore not a recognised diagnosis in the UK. Instead, our local NHS and Local authority services use the terms sensory processing differences or sensory processing difficulties, and these are considered a symptom rather than a standalone diagnosis.
Support when there are Sensory Processing Differences
All staff in the local area use approaches that are evidence based. Our local partnership delivers evidence-based support by trained individuals from a range of professional backgrounds.
The local statutory services will use sensory based interventions alongside other therapeutic and education strategies as part of the assessment of need. The focus of our local NHS and Local authority services is to offer sensory interventions that support a child or young person’s sensory needs by adapting tasks or the environment and by improving the child or young person’s capacity for self-regulation.
Consideration will always be given to whether sensory needs are above and beyond typical child development where development of sensory processing skills is a continual process. Our aim is to meet the child/young person’s needs in the appropriate context in order for the child/young person to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
Some key points/take home messages:
- Although “Sensory Processing Disorder” is not a recognised diagnosis in the UK, our local area partnership acknowledges the impact sensory differences and difficulties can have for children and young people and the importance of understanding and meeting these needs to enable children and young people to thrive.
- Our local area partnership is working together to provide needs led and not diagnosis led advice and support as this provides a more individualised and holistic picture of the child or young person’s strengths and challenges so the most appropriate advice and support can be given.
- Many children and young people’s sensory differences and difficulties can be met through universally available advice, support and reasonable adjustments. Some children and families may require more help, and a very small number of children may require specialist support. Please see accompanying resource for an overview of the advice and support available in your local area.
- When required, specialist support may involve individualised assessment by the most appropriate professional, including sensory processing considerations and goals set to address the child/young person’s ability to participate in activities that they want to, and need to do.
- However, it may be that other, non-sensory processing related factors, are having a greater impact on the child/young person than the sensory processing differences, and support can be tailored to address these non-sensory related difficulties.
- If a child or young person is referred and seen by our NHS occupational therapist they will undertake a comprehensive assessment including;
- Background and health history, development, social and environmental influences
- Participation measures of self-care productivity and leisure occupations
- Observation in relevant environments
- Use of standardised assessments if appropriate
- Whilst local NHS and Local Authority occupational therapists do not deliver Ayres Sensory Integration® we do use the knowledge of neuroscience and Sensory Integration theory to support and/or influence our practice.
- We believe that by adapting the task or the environment and upskilling the individual, and the networks around them, we can support people with a range of sensory processing differences to take part in the activities that matter to them and enables them to thrive.
The following information outlines some of the support that is available in your local area using the i-THRIVE Framework. This framework helps us consider:
- The needs of children, young people and families using the common language of the five needs-based groupings: Thriving, Getting Advice, Getting Help, Getting More Help, Getting Risk Support.
- Needs-Led approach based on meeting need, not diagnosis.
- Take a proactive, prevention and promotion enabling approach.
- Supports effective partnership, cross-sector working and consideration of the full range of options of support.
- Increasing accessibility of advice, help and risk support available in a timely way for the child, young person or family, where they are and in their community.
Some of the services outlined below (for example the mental health services) will support CYP with sensory difficulties only if the have a primary need of a mental health nature.
Support available for Children and Young People living in York
Getting advice
York’s Healthy Child Service provides information, advice and support for children and parents from birth to 19 years old. Health visitors will work with pre-school age children and their families to identify advice and strategies to help support emerging developmental differences and needs.
Let’s Make Sense Together Resources are free and includes a series of videos to help parents, carers, teachers, and others who support children with sensory processing differences. You’ll also find helpful advice sheets and links to other support and information. The information has been created by local therapists at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospital.
All schools have a named SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator) who will be able to offer advice and guidance to meet all children’s needs. The offer of support from schools and settings is described here ordinarily available provision.
Early Help is all about providing the right support to children and families at the earliest possible time. Find out more about the social care early help offer on the Safer Children Website
York Inspirational Kids All About Autism offers support to families and social groups for children and young people both after school and in school holidays. (Your child doesn’t need an autism diagnosis to access this support)
SENDIASS supports children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and their parents and carers, providing free, impartial and confidential service to help with concerns or questions around education, health, social care, inclusion and preparing for adulthood.
Parent Carer Forum at the SEND Hub signposts families with children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities and provides peer support.
Getting help
Early Help advice and support for professionals is available from the City of York Council. Read more about Early Help for families
The Learning Support Hub is the city’s central point for supporting mainstream settings, and as part of the Learning Support Hub’s offer there is a Universal Offer, which includes workshops, training courses, drop-in and phone lines to support families and settings
Portage team and Early Support Coordinator is a home visiting educational teaching service for pre-school children with disabilities and special educational needs.
The School Wellbeing Service (SWS) is a school based early intervention mental health (MH) support service. The aim of the service is to work within educational settings to strengthen and improve the emotional and mental health support arrangements for children and young people.
Let’s Make Sense Together Virtual Service is part of York and Scarborough Hospital’s Occupational Therapy led sensory processing pathway; supporting children and young people who have a physical and functional difficultly due to sensory processing differences. Requires referral from health professional into pathway. Clinical triage and advice, assessment and/or interventions as deemed clinically appropriate.
The Educational Psychology service work with children and young people, in partnership with parent carers and staff, in a variety of educational settings including pre-schools, schools and colleges.
Short Breaks help children and young people with disabilities, as part of a regular and supported package of care for them and their family.
The Wellbeing in Mind Teams (WiMT) are a school based early intervention mental health (MH) support service available in some schools. The aim of the service is to work within those educational settings to strengthen and improve the emotional and mental health support arrangements for children and young people. This can include direct work with CYP.
Getting Risk Support
NHS CAMHS crisis and liaison team provide mental health support to young people (up to the age of 18) who are experiencing a crisis with their mental health.
Let’s Make Sense Together sensory processing pathway provided by York and Scarborough Hospital when CYP has sensory processing difference that is impacting on their physical function. See ‘Getting More Help’ section for info on this service.
The Humber and North Yorkshire Dynamic Support Keyworker Service supports children and young people with a learning disability or who are autistic, with the most complex needs and are inpatients in, or at risk of being admitted to, a mental health inpatient unit. Multi-disciplinary and cross system working will be coordinated and managed by CYP’s key professional where CYP sensory difficulties are complex and significantly impacting on their ability to function in both physical and mental health terms.
Getting More Help
Early Years targeted support offer from St Pauls Enhanced Resource Provision accessed through the Learning Support Hub.
Targeted support from Specialist Teachers of Autism from City of York Council and Haxby Road ERP and can be accessed via schools and settings the Learning Support Hub.
Let’s Make Sense Together sensory processing pathway provided by York and Scarborough Hospital when CYP has sensory processing difference that is impacting on their physical function. Requires referral from health professional into pathway. Clinical triage and advice, assessment and/or interventions as deemed clinically appropriate.
NHS CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) if significant mental health need or distress that is impacting on CYP their day-to-day function and cannot be resolved with appropriate intervention with universal or targeted support.
Support available for Children and Young People living in North Yorkshire
Getting Advice
Healthy Child Service provides information, advice and support for children from birth to 19 years old and their carers. Health visitors will work with expectant parents and children under 6 and their families to support development, emotional wellbeing and school readiness.
Let’s Make Sense Together Resources are free and includes a series of videos to help parents, carers, teachers, and others who support children with sensory processing differences. You’ll also find helpful advice sheets and links to other support and information. The information has been created by local therapists at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospital
NYES Info supports educators to deliver an outstanding learning experience for all children and young people by providing a wide range of support services that enable schools to deliver a high-quality education provision.
All schools have a named SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator) who will be able to offer advice and guidance to meet all children’s needs. The offer of support from schools and settings is described here SEND specialist support and inclusion. This includes Inclusive Practice framework.
Early Help is all about providing the right support to children and families at the earliest possible time. Find out more about the social care early help offer on the North Yorkshire Council website.
SENDIASS supports children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and their parents and carers, providing free, impartial and confidential service to help with concerns or questions around education, health, social care, inclusion and preparing for adulthood.
Parent Carer Voice signposts families with children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities.
Getting Help
Depending on where the CYP has a registered GP they can access support from either Harrogate and District NHS Trust or York and Scarborough NHS Trust:
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust can offer support and advice when a CYP has sensory processing difference that is impacting on 2 of their ‘occupations’. This service requires a referral from health professional. Clinical triage and advice, assessment and/or interventions provided as deemed clinically appropriate. OR
- York and Scarborough NHS Trust Let’s Make Sense Together sensory processing pathway when a CYP has sensory processing difference that is impacting on their physical function. This service requires a referral from health professional. Clinical triage and advice, assessment and/or interventions provided as deemed clinically appropriate.
The Portage team and Early Development Specialist Teacher’s are a home visiting educational teaching service for pre-school children with disabilities and special educational needs.
SEND Hubs support schools/settings/colleges to meet the needs of their pupils with SEND.
The Wellbeing in Mind Teams (WiMT) are a school based early intervention mental health (MH) support service available in some schools. The aim of the service is to work within those educational settings to strengthen and improve the emotional and mental health support arrangements for children and young people. This can include direct work with CYP.
Short breaks help children and young people with disabilities, as part of a regular and supported package of care for them and their family.
Getting Risk Support
NHS CAMHS crisis and liaison team provide mental health support to young people (up to the age of 18) who are experiencing a crisis with their mental health.
North Yorkshire Council’s Occupational Therapy team work with Children and Young people with a range of conditions, including those with sensory processing difficulties. See ‘Getting More Help section’ for info on this service.
Depending on where the CYP has a registered GP they can access support from either Harrogate and District NHS Trust or York and Scarborough NHS Trust. See ‘Getting More Help section’ for info on these services.
The Humber and North Yorkshire Dynamic Support Keyworker Service supports children and young people with a learning disability or who are autistic, with the most complex needs and are inpatients in, or at risk of being admitted to, a mental health inpatient unit. Multi-disciplinary and cross system working will be coordinated and managed by CYP’s key professional where CYP sensory difficulties are complex and significantly impacting on their ability to function in both physical and mental health terms.
Getting More Help
SEND Hubs support schools/settings/colleges to meet the needs of their pupils with SEND.
Depending on where the CYP has a registered GP they can access support from either Harrogate and District NHS Trust or York and Scarborough NHS Trust:
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust can offer support and advice when a CYP has sensory processing difference that is impacting on 2 of their ‘occupations’. This service requires a referral from health professional. Clinical triage and advice, assessment and/or interventions provided as deemed clinically appropriate. OR
- York and Scarborough NHS Trust Let’s Make Sense Together sensory processing pathway when a CYP has sensory processing difference that is impacting on their physical function. This service requires a referral from health professional. Clinical triage and advice, assessment and/or interventions provided as deemed clinically appropriate.
North Yorkshire Council’s Occupational Therapy team work with Children and Young people with a range of conditions, including those with sensory processing difficulties. This is predominantly around support for everyday tasks within the home. Information, advice, guidance and potential involvement where deemed clinically appropriate can be sought via Contact us | North Yorkshire Council
NHS CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) if significant mental health need or distress that is impacting on CYP their day-to-day function and cannot be resolved with appropriate intervention with universal or targeted support.
