EmphaSIze August 2025: Sensory Teens and Young Adults
By Sensory Integration Education, 4th August 2025
Welcome to the August issue of EmphaSIze! This month we're focusing on Sensory Teens and Young Adults.
Adolescence can be a time of excitement and growth. But for teens with sensory processing differences, it can come with its own set of challenges. Sensory input, such as sights, sounds, textures, and smells, can often become overwhelming. Coping with these challenges requires teens and young adults – and the people around them – to understand their unique sensory needs and find helpful strategies and adaptations in their day-to-day lives.
In this month’s issue, we’ve included lots of useful information, articles and resources to help us understand more about how to support sensory teens and young adults while creating an environment that nurtures their strengths and allows them to navigate the world with confidence and resilience.
And while for some, the school summer holidays have only just got started, for others, the start of a new school year is already looming! For children and teens with sensory processing differences, transitioning to a new school or college or starting back after a long summer break and adjusting to a new routine can bring a number of challenges. Our Back to School Sensory Survival Kit is packed with helpful tips and product suggestions to help parents and their child or teen feel organised and stress-free as a new school year approaches.
News & Features
Boost Your Summer CPD – 6 Top LLP Webinars Back by Popular Demand This Month
Watch or rewatch these must-see webinars – available to LLP members throughout August only
If you’re looking to boost your CPD hours over the summer months, we’ve the perfect solution for you! Exclusively for LLP members only and throughout the month of August, we’re bringing back 6 of this year’s most popular webinars (so far!):
- Sensory Spotlight Talk: Womb to Tomb: Understanding Brain Development – Dr Varleisha Lyons
- Clinical Reasoning for Postural Control Challenges in Sensory Integration – Teresa May-Benson
- Sensory Processing & My Experience of an Eating Disorder – Rachael Thompson
- Gestalt Language Processing & Sensory Integration - Naomi Ash and Kate Jennings
- Neurodiversity & Sensory Needs in HMP Pentonville – Olivia Ward
- Sensory Processing & Dementia – Case Study Approach – Leanne Duggan
If you’re an existing LLP member, simply login to your dashboard and search ‘Summer CPD’ or if you’re interested in signing up to the Lifelong Learning programme, you can find out more here.
Save this Date in Your Diary!
Join us live online on Monday 6 October 2025, 10am–12 noon (UK time) for the SIE Sensory Symposium 2025: Sensory Integration Work Across the Multidisciplinary Team.
This free-to-attend event invites professionals from across health, education and social care to engage in a vital discussion about the future of sensory integration and sensory-informed practice within diverse professional roles.
Chaired by Amy Stephens, Consultant SLT and Advanced SI Practitioner, the Symposium will feature expert insights, cross-sector perspectives and opportunities to contribute your voice.
This timely event replaces our annual virtual conference and aims to shape a shared, evidence-informed roadmap for safe and equitable sensory support. Limited places available and booking is essential. A recording of the Symposium will be available to everyone who registers for 7 days following the event.
Self-Regulation Techniques for Sensory Teens
Published on our sister site Sensory Help Now, this blog looks at examples of practical age-appropriate self-regulation techniques for sensory teenagers.
Learning self-regulation techniques may not be at the top of many teenagers’ priority lists! But for those with sensory processing differences, self-regulation techniques can help them get into the ‘just right’ state for the activity they are about to do.
Thoughts from a Therapist: Be the Change You Want to See in the World
In her latest Thoughts from a Therapist blog, Anna Willis shines a light on the challenges teenagers face in a world that often misunderstands them. She explores how adolescence is a time of neurological and emotional upheaval, where the drive for independence and peer acceptance can push helpful sensory strategies aside.
With humour and honesty, Anna reflects on the power adults have to positively influence teens—not by insisting they use tools, but by confidently modelling the use of sensory supports themselves. She advocates that by embracing our own sensory needs, we can help to create a more accepting environment where young people feel safe to do the same.
A Day in the Life of 16 Year Old Rose
Taken from our A Day in the Life Of…series of sensory stories, this particular example focuses on Rose – a 16-year-old who experiences differences in sensory processing and integration. These differences can make it difficult for her to connect with others and her behaviour is often misunderstood by family members, teachers and those she interacts with day to day.
To better understand how sensory processing and integration differences can affect teenagers in everyday life, we take a look at a typical day in Rose’s life, highlighting areas where she may need support and adaptations to routines and environments.
'Just See Me: Seeing Beyond Difference’ - How OT Sarah Gannon’s Book Is Opening Eyes and Hearts
Meet OT Sarah Gannon (nee Governey) —author, mum, advocate—whose book Just See Me: Seeing Beyond Difference is changing the conversation around childhood disability.
Inspired by her daughter Ciara, who lives with CHARGE syndrome, Sarah’s book invites readers of all ages to look beyond disability and see the child, their personality, their strengths and abilities and the playfulness and joy.
In this inspiring interview, Sarah shares her professional journey, the powerful experiences that led to the book’s creation, and the impact it’s having in homes, classrooms, and communities across Ireland and the UK. Her story is one of hope, honesty and an unshakable belief in inclusion.
NB All proceeds from sales of the book go to the Anne Sullivan Centre supporting people in Ireland who are deafblind.
Also see:
Primark advances sensory-inclusive kidswear product and shopping
Lucy Bronze: 'My neurodiversity helps me play at the highest level'
Grant to help teens connect with nature across Gloucestershire
I tried Tesco’s new sensory box and it made a huge difference to my shopping experience
“5 Ways to Help Your Neurodivergent Child Stay Hydrated This Summer”
What is DCD? The underdiagnosed condition as common as ADHD
Resources
Take a look at our books and products recommendations for this month:
Social Emotional Learning for Autistic Teens: Strategies to Boost Confidence, Deepen Connections, and Tackle Daily Struggles: Navigating the teenage years can be overwhelming, especially for those who experience the world in a uniquely powerful way. This guide is created to support neurodivergent teens in building self-awareness, handling emotions, and forming meaningful connections, all while staying true to themselves.
With practical tools and relatable scenarios, the book empowers teens to manage daily challenges such as social anxiety, emotional overload, misunderstandings, and change in routine. Through gentle guidance, they’ll discover how to express themselves with confidence, set boundaries, and develop relationships that feel safe and authentic.
Still His Person: Staying Connected as You Guide Your Autistic Teen Son Through the Teenage Years: If you’re working with parents who may be struggling to understand what’s going on inside their autistic teen boy’s world, this practical guide is here to help. The book offers real-world strategies, advice and supportive insights for parents navigating adolescence with a neurodivergent child. Whether their son is highly verbal or minimally communicative, socially isolated or sensory-seeking, this book offers tools to help him thrive emotionally, socially and developmentally.
From Puberty to Relationships and Sex for Autistic Boys and Girls: The Ultimate “How To” Book for Adolescents, Teens, and Twenty-Somethings: Drawing from both personal experience and extensive research, the authors of this book, Aled Rowland and Elizabeth Naylor, have created a straightforward, respectful guide that addresses the unique needs of autistic teens and young people. The book is written specifically for them to read themselves and serves as a road map for neurodivergent readers to navigate puberty and relationships with confidence. At the same time, it equips parents and professionals with the tools and language needed to guide young people through these life stages.
Sensory Cuddle Cocoon: Soft, squidgy and tactile, this Sensory Cuddle Cocoon has a unique shape to allow the user to experience a deep and calming pressure to the sensory system.
The leaf-like shape of the cocoon makes it perfect as a cushion to provide weight with gaps that allow hands and arms to be placed inside - providing extra comfort and warmth. You can also slide your fingers or hands into the gaps to feel some calming deep pressure.
Spikz – Pain Stim & Tactile Fidget Tool with Levels: Designed for neurodivergent users, pain stimmers, and those seeking sensory grounding, Spikz are rigid, textured stim tools that offer targeted input across five different levels. Each level increases in texture sharpness and sensation with the top levels offering intense pressure input designed for older users who seek strong sensory feedback. Whether someone is managing pain stimming, stress, anxiety, or simply needs strong tactile feedback, these palm-sized tools can help.
Texture Click – Build Your Own Sensory Fidget: TextureClick+ is all about personal sensory control. Users can build their own sensory fidget by choosing 5 textures from a set of 11 options and the company custom builds the fidget for them. Each panel is a clicker with a different feel: from smooth and calming to more firm and stimulating, depending on the person’s needs e.g., light tactile feedback, something for pain stimming or a couple of smooth panels to ground them.
SI Research Digest
Below are links to the most popular sensory integration and sensory processing research papers and findings published on our social channels last month:
This new study investigated sensory processing differences in adolescents with scoliosis. The researchers found that young people with idiopathic scoliosis presented with differences in vestibular and proprioceptive processing that impacted on dynamic balance and postural control.
This new study investigated early neuromotor and sensory development in premature infants. The researchers found that sensory experiences played a critical role in the motor development in premature infants and that interventions which included sensory input likely played a role in the positive developmental changes observed in this cohort of infants.
This new study investigated proprioceptive sensory processing in children with dyslexia. The researchers found a high prevalence of difficulties with proprioceptive acuity in dyslexic children. More than 50% of dyslexic study participants also presented with difficulties with postural control.
Motor Skills in Children with ADHD: Overlap with Developmental Coordination Disorder
This recent study investigated motor skills in children with ADHD. The authors found a high prevalence of motor coordination difficulties in individuals with ADHD and conclude that motor coordination should be considered for all individuals with ADHD who are having difficulties with everyday tasks.
Upcoming Courses and Webinars
We have a number of live webinars that take place throughout the year covering a broad range of SI-related topics. Below is a snapshot of webinars happening over the next few months or click here to view a summary of all the upcoming live events.
All these webinars are available to you by signing up to our Lifelong Learning Programme or can be purchased as individual courses:
ØIntroduction to MYSET© - My Sensory Experiences Tool – 9 September 2025
ØSensoRSE- A Sensory Approach to Relationships and Sex Education – 15 September 2025
Ø(Sensory Spotlight Talk) Sensory Processing and Sleep in Autism with Dr Shelly Lane – 26 September 2025
Ø Introduction to Sensory Integration and Yoga - 13 October 2025
Ø Using the Adult/Adolescent Sensory History (ASH) In Clinical Practice – 20 October 2025
Ø Rethinking Mental Health Through Sensory Formulation – 22 October 2025
Discounts & Special Offers
Please quote DISCOUNT CODE SIE20 for 10% discount on Southpaw orders up to £100. Orders must be placed by phone on +44 (0) 115 718 0020.
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Best wishes,
Sensory Integration Education
NB: Sensory Integration Education is not responsible for the content on external websites. Sharing a resource does not imply endorsement by Sensory Integration Education.
