What Is a Sensory Assessment? A guide for parents from a CAMHS Occupational Therapist.
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
By Jordanna Hirst, Head of Occupational Therapy, bMindful Psychology
Why it's important for parents to understand what a sensory assessment is, and a guide to its importance for your child.
As a parent, you may have heard the term “sensory assessment” and wondered what it actually means, why it’s been suggested for your child, and what will happen next. This guide is here to explain sensory assessments clearly and reassure parents about the process.
Understanding sensory processing
We all take in information from our senses every moment of the day. This includes not only the five senses we often think about (touch, sound, sight, taste, and smell), but also:
Proprioception – information from muscles and joints that helps us know where our body is
Vestibular – information about movement, balance, and gravity
For most people, the brain processes this sensory information automatically. For some children and young people, however, sensory information can feel too intense, not strong enough, or confusing. This can affect how they feel, behave, and cope with everyday activities.
Why might a sensory assessment be recommended?
A sensory assessment is often suggested when a child or young person is experiencing difficulties such as:
Becoming overwhelmed by noise, touch, crowds, or busy environments
Avoiding certain clothes, textures, or activities
Seeking lots of movement, crashing, or deep pressure
Difficulties with emotional regulation, anxiety, or meltdowns
Challenges with attention, transitions, or classroom learning
These difficulties are not about a child being “naughty” or “difficult”. They are often signs that their nervous system is working harder to make sense of the world around them.
What is a sensory assessment?
A sensory assessment is a holistic way of understanding how your child processes sensory information and how this impacts their daily life.
As a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Occupational Therapist, we look at how sensory processing affects:
Emotional wellbeing
Behaviour and regulation
Learning and concentration
Self-care (e.g. dressing, eating, sleep)
Participation at home, school, and in the community
The aim is not to label a child, but to understand their individual sensory needs.
What does the assessment involve?
A sensory assessment usually includes:
Parent and carer discussions – your insights are vital, as you know your child best
Questionnaires or sensory profiles to gather information about patterns and triggers
Observations of your child during play, movement, or everyday tasks
School information, where appropriate, to understand how your child copes in different environments
The process is gentle, child-led, and adapted to your child’s age, needs, and comfort.
What happens after the sensory assessment?
Following the assessment, the Occupational Therapist will:
Identify your child’s sensory preferences and sensitivities
Explain how these may be impacting their emotions, behaviour, or learning
Provide practical, realistic strategies that can be used at home and school
These strategies might include:
Changes to the environment (e.g. noise, seating, lighting)
Sensory activities to support regulation
Movement or calming strategies tailored to your child
Advice to help adults respond consistently and supportively
The focus is always on helping your child feel safe, understood, and able to cope.
How do sensory assessments link to mental health?
Sensory processing and mental health are closely connected. When a child feels overwhelmed by their sensory world, this can increase anxiety, emotional distress, or behavioural difficulties. Supporting sensory needs can therefore have a positive impact on wellbeing, confidence, and self-esteem.
Within CAMHS, sensory assessments are part of a wider understanding of a child’s emotional and mental health needs.
It’s important to know that a sensory assessment is not about “finding something wrong”.
It’s about understanding how your child experiences the world and how we can support them to thrive.
Many parents tell us that simply having things explained through a sensory lens helps them feel more confident and reassured in supporting their child.
If you have been offered a sensory assessment, it means professionals want to better understand your child and work alongside you to support them.
You are not alone in this process and your child’s sensory needs are valid.
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Contact us today to discuss how we can help you. Find out more about our occupational therapy services for children and young people.
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