A Sensory Project

Sensory Ladders Global Translation

fueled by infectious curiosity

“Motivated by nothing other than the fact of our common humanity…”
— Nelson Mandela, Davos Address, 1992

What began as a simple, person-centred tool to support regulation in mental health services has become something extraordinary.

Sensory Ladders were first developed in 2001 by occupational therapist Kath Smith and are now used across the globe to help people of all ages better understand, express, and manage their internal sensory and emotional worlds.

From hospitals to homes, classrooms to community centres, these ladders quietly transform how we support one another, through generosity, shared language, and respect for the body’s wisdom.

What Are Sensory Ladders?

Sensory Ladders are co-created, visual representations of a person’s sensory experience—mapping states like:

Sleep
Underalert
Calm and Alert
Overalert
Freeze

Each rung on the ladder captures how someone feels inside, helping them—and those around them—understand and support transitions between states. Instead of reacting to “behaviour,” Sensory Ladders®️ create space for reflection, planning, and kindness.

Used by occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists, teachers, and parents alike, Sensory Ladders:

Build self-awareness and resilience
Support trauma recovery and regulation
Encourage communication and collaboration
Offer a structured way to engage with sensory integration practices

From One Ladder to a Global Movement

Today, Sensory Ladders are available in over 10 languages, including:

Arabic, Ukrainian, Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese, Bengali, Afrikaans, Polish, and Lithuanian
…with more on the way: Polish, isiXhosa, Cantonese, Croatian, and Malay.

These translations have been co-produced by volunteers from all walks of life—therapists, teachers, parents, youth workers—united by a shared belief in the power of tools that make sense of inner experience. No paywall. No gatekeeping. Just generosity in action.

“Healing, recovery, and connection are at the heart of this initiative, with every translation and application reflecting a shared commitment to making a difference.”

How the Translation Process Works

Each language version goes through a transparent, caring process:

Volunteers reach out to offer help
A Zoom call or email check-in sets the tone for collaboration
Volunteers sign a confidentiality agreement
A working Canva file is shared
The translation is peer-reviewed with cultural sensitivity
Once approved, the new ladder is uploaded and freely shared with the world

This project is more than translation—it’s co-production rooted in respect, reciprocity, and shared humanity.

Why Sensory Ladders Matter

At their heart, Sensory Ladders help people feel seen, heard, and understood.

They give language to experiences that are often invisible. They offer a map when things feel chaotic. And they help carers, educators, and clinicians meet people where they are—with empathy, not assumptions.

From Gaza to Glasgow, these ladders are:

Being used to support children in refugee camps
Helping adults recover from trauma
Guiding families to deeper understanding
Informing training in hospitals, schools, and therapy services

This is social justice in practice—creating inclusive, practical, and free tools.

Want to Get Involved?

Are you bilingual or multilingual? Do you want to make a difference?

Join the Sensory Ladders translation team and help others feel safe, seen, and supported in their own language.

Volunteer here: https://sensoryproject.org/product/sensory-ladders-translators/
Explore free resources from The Sensory Project

“Your voice can help someone find theirs.”

Join us

Together, we can build a world that honours the senses, respects individual differences, and embraces co-regulation as a foundation for healing.

“Let us do together what we can and must do together in the interests of all humanity.”
— Nelson Mandela, 1992

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