Overview
You can help with many sensory needs by planning ahead a little, at home or in school. We’ve gathered simple resources to help you understand a child or young person’s sensory needs and support them in daily life.
Early Years Fact File and School Age Advice
These Early Years Fact File and School Age Advice Sheets give easy tips to help children build physical, occupational and communication skills.
They explain what most children can do at different ages, what common differences look like, and what you can try at home or in school.
Topics include:
- food textures (like lumps)
- balance
- messy play
- listening skills
- calming ideas
- understanding what you see.
Children and Young People’s Therapy Service Advice Line
You can call 0303 033 3002 from 9am to midday on Monday to Thursday (closed on bank holidays). Parents, carers and professionals can all use this line to get advice from Occupational Therapists and discuss support strategies.
Somerset Parent Carer Forum Library
The SPCF Library has almost 100 books you can borrow for free. These books help families and practitioners understand sensory needs and ideas that may help. Including:
- Building Bridges: Through Sensory Integration by Carol Kranowitz MA
- The Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz, MA
- C.A.T.S (Communication, Actions, Thinking Process and Sensory Processing) by A. Ward
- Can I tell you about Sensory Processing Difficulties? A guide for friends, family and professionals by Sue Allen
WISE UP workshops
WISE UP workshops run across Somerset and cover topics like sensory differences and how the body feels inside (interoception).
They are all run or co‑run by parent carers with lived experience.
Somerset Sensory Processing Handbook
The Somerset Sensory Processing Handbook helps schools support children with sensory needs. Even though it’s written for classrooms, it’s useful in other places too.
Somerset Libraries
Many libraries in Somerset have sensory kits you can use for free. These may include ear defenders, fidget tools and sensory toys.
The Somerset Neurodiversity Book Collection also has books that explore sensory and emotional wellbeing including:
- Looking after your Autistic self – a personalized self-care approach to managing your sensory and emotional wellbeing
- The Autism-friendly guide to periods by Robyn Steward
SEND Sessions
Some community places offer quiet sessions with lower sound, calmer lighting and fewer people.
Theatres and cinemas also run relaxed shows where moving around is fine.
“Ollie the Flamingo” highlights shops and businesses that will turn music or lights down if asked.
National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society have helpful information on supporting anxiety and sensory differences.
Autism Level UP
The Autism Level UP website has many free tools to help children and young people understand their own sensory and energy needs. These tools can help all children, not just autistic children.
Beacon House
Beacon House Therapeutic Services and Trauma Team shares free, trauma‑informed resources. Some help with sensory needs, especially for children who have had difficult experiences.
Other resources
These resources come from other areas but are useful for families in Somerset too. We thank them for sharing with us. Some talk about conditions such as autism and anxiety, but the strategies are helpful for all children and young people with sensory processing difficulties.
- NHS Kent Understanding your child’s sensory processing
- Part 1 – Introduction to sensory processing
- Part 2 – The senses
- Part 3 – Sensory processing strategies
- Sheffield Children’s Services Virtual Therapy Area – knowledge, ideas and strategies to support sensory needs that are impacting everyday life.
- Falkirk Council Children with Disabilities Team have a number of booklets with useful information and ideas
- Humber NHS Sensory Processing Hub with many free resources.
- PACE approach is a calm and gentle way to support children. It helps adults slow down, listen and understand what the child may be feeling in the moment.