Supporting students with autism spectrum disorder

Evidence-based strategies to help students with autism spectrum disorder

Telephone02 6947 2164

Emailsnowyvalleys-s.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Sensory processing

Sensory processing is the ability to organise and interpret the information we receive through our senses.

Many students with autism have sensory-processing issues that can fluctuate and change.

There are seven systems that create our sensory experiences.

  • Auditory: sense of hearing
  • Visual: sense of sight
  • Vestibular: sense of balance
  • Tactile: sense of touch 
  • Gustatory: sense of taste
  • Olfactory: sense of smell 
  • Proprioception: sense of body position

  Finding effective strategies for individuals may take some trial and error. What works well for one student could be ineffective for another. Strategies should be a regular addition to a student's daily program and incorporated into the home program if possible.