Description
#05 with Dr Roseann Schaaf
Understanding Sensory Patterns in Autism and ADHD and Why They Matter for Practice
In this session, Roseann explores sensory patterns in autism and ADHD and why they matter for assessment, clinical reasoning, and intervention planning.
This recording will help practitioners to:
• better understand how sensory patterns may present in autism and ADHD
• distinguish between sensory reactivity and sensory integration
• consider how sensory differences affect everyday function and participation
• apply this understanding to more targeted, individualised support in practice
A valuable session for clinicians wanting to strengthen how they interpret assessment findings and translate them into practice.
#SensoryIntegration #Autism #ADHD #OccupationalTherapy #ASIWise #RoseannSchaaf
Learning outcomes
Participants will be able to:
- Understand what is meant by sensory patterns in autism and ADHD, and why these patterns matter in everyday life.
- Recognise that sensory differences can show up in many ways, including behaviour, attention, movement, emotional regulation, communication, play, learning, and participation in daily activities.
- Describe the difference between sensory reactivity and sensory integration in a way that is clear, practical, and relevant to both families and professionals.
- Identify some of the sensory patterns that may be more commonly seen in autistic children and young people, and in children and young people with ADHD.
- Consider how sensory patterns may affect a child or young person’s experience of home, school, community settings, relationships, and daily routines.
- Reflect on how sensory differences can influence participation, not just in isolated tasks, but across the whole day and in the occupations that matter most to the child and family.
- Understand why looking at sensory patterns can support better assessment, stronger clinical reasoning, and a more complete picture of a child or young person’s needs and strengths.
- Recognise that sensory assessment findings can help guide more targeted, individualised support, whether in therapy, at home, or in education settings.
- Explore how current research can help parents and professionals make better sense of sensory differences and use that understanding in more meaningful, supportive, and practical ways.
- Reflect on how the learning from this session could influence next steps in practice, conversations with families, and everyday support for children and young people.
