EmphaSIze October 2025: Sensory Awareness
By Sensory Integration Education, 1st October 2025
Welcome to the October issue of EmphaSIze! This month we're focusing on Sensory Awareness.
Welcome to the October issue of EmphaSIze! This month is Sensory Awareness Month, which reminds us of the importance of sensory processing and integration differences.
Sensory processing is a significant part of our daily activities, encompassing essential tasks such as dressing, eating, moving, socialising, learning and working. We are all individuals and so everyone experiences differences in sensory processing. But for some individuals, these differences can make engaging in everyday tasks difficult.
In this month's issue, we've included lots of useful information, articles and resources to help raise our awareness and understanding of all things sensory.
News & Features
Last Chance to Book Your Free Place at Next Month's SIE Sensory Symposium (TBC)
(Text TBC)
Have you booked your place yet for next Monday's SIE Sensory Symposium? A FREE 2-hour online session chaired by SLT and Advanced SI Practitioner, Amy Stephens where we’ll be looking at the role of sensory integration (SI) work across multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs).
Embracing Sensory Awareness Month – Discover Your Sensory Needsom
October marks Sensory Awareness Month, a time to reflect on how our senses shape daily life and wellbeing. Sensory awareness means recognising how we process sights, sounds, smells, tastes, textures, movement, and internal signals, which can influence our comfort, focus, coordination, emotions, and relationships.
This article looks at why Sensory Awareness Month matters and how we can all become more aware of our own sensory preferences and needs to help improve self-care, reduce stress and build more understanding environments.
The Value of a Sensory Lens in Multidisciplinary Practice
In this blog, SIE’s Dr Lelanie Brewer highlights the value of bringing a sensory lens into your professional practice. She explores how by considering sensory factors, therapists can gain a more holistic understanding of the person, their daily difficulties and the reasons behind certain behaviours or reactions.
Adopting a sensory perspective does not mean sensory integration will always be the primary intervention; rather, it broadens a therapist’s approach, supports informed decision-making, and empowers individuals and families to better understand their needs and preferences.
Thoughts from a Therapist: Seasons Change, Senses React
In this month’s Thoughts from a Therapist blog, Annal Willis explores the sensory challenges that seasonal changes, particularly the shift into autumn, can bring for people with sensory differences.
Her blog highlights the importance of recognising and respecting individual sensory preferences rather than dismissing them, especially in schools and therapy settings.
Check Out Our Free Course: Discover Sensory Processing and Integration
Ever wondered how sensory processing differences affect everyday life?
Our free online course ‘Discover Sensory Processing and Integration’ breaks it all down for you!
Developed by our team of highly experienced Occupational Therapists who are Advanced Practitioners in Sensory Integration, this course will help you take the first step towards a more inclusive and informed approach to sensory challenges.
What you’ll gain:
Ø An understanding of the 8 sensory systems
Ø How sensory challenges shape behaviour and experiences
Ø Downloadable ‘A Day in the Life of’ case studies across all age groups
Also see:
'There was no campsite for my autistic son, so I'm starting my own'
Rise in neurodiversity awareness sparks demand for inclusive office designs
Neurodivergence now third leading cause of work struggles
TfL’s ‘headphones on’ campaign highlights the benefits of sensory inclusion
Sensory packs made available for rail journeys
Resources
Take a look at our books and product recommendations for this month:
Oli’s Sensory Safari: This is a compelling and educational read for anyone interested in gaining an insight into sensory processing and autism, providing a gentle introduction to these topics. Inspired by the author's personal experiences with her son, the book is a heartwarming exploration of life through the eyes of Oli, a young boy with autism, as he embarks on a sensory safari field trip with his classmates. It's a story that invites young readers to step into Oli's shoes, offering a unique perspective on how he perceives and interacts with the world.
Suzie & Sammy go to Bristol City FC: Local author Charlotte Olson and illustrator Nick Roberts have collaborated with Bristol City Robins Foundation to produce a Bristol City themed storyboard book for children with autism and sensory needs. The book tells the story of characters Suzie, Sammy and their dad on a trip to Ashton Gate for a Bristol City match.
By detailing exactly what to expect from an experience, young people with autism and sensory needs can be put more at ease and feel able to attend opportunities such as live football where otherwise it may have been overwhelming. The book was funded by the Premier League Fans Fund, as part of the Robins Foundation’s ‘We are City’ project. The Robins Foundation is also donating copies of the book for free to primary schools, SEN schools, libraries and day centres across South and Central Bristol.
All About Autism: A Practical Guide for Secondary Teachers: This is an accessible and informative guide for secondary school teachers, designed to increase their knowledge and understanding of autism and enhance their toolkit with practical, adaptable strategies to support autistic learners in their care.
The book initially explores key traits and terminology, debunks myths and misconceptions, and shines a light on the strengths and abilities of autistic learners. It then introduces readers to a range of easy-to-implement ideas for practice and concrete solutions to provide further support, all with the child at the heart. It’s a useful read for all secondary school educators, SENCOs and parents who are supporting autistic learners aged 11-16.
LoveHugs Musical Star Teddy Sensory Light: This star cushion has been designed to help children of all ages including children with autism, ADHD, special needs or sleep issues. The product’s soft colour changing lights, cuddly exterior and calming “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” music helps to soothe and calm children. The cushion can be used as a night light, a cuddle toy or can also be hanged from the ceiling or door.
Textured Sensory Mats: These mats come in different colours and textures to help meet children's sensory development needs. Each sensory floor tile is backed with a non-slip design, each with an edging design to keep children safe while playing. By playing with the different textured mats, children can improve their hand eye coordination, dexterity, and motor skills in a fun and interactive way. By stimulating children's sensory nerves, these mats will also help to calm them and relax.
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 analysed the data of 6,709 English children to investigate whether fine- and gross-motor skills at 18 months predicted behavioural health at 7 years of age as measured by the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). The researchers found a significant correlation between poor fine motor skills at 18 months and low scores on the SDQ at 7 years, which includes sections on emotional difficulties, conduct problems, hyperactivity or inattention, friendships and peer groups and Pro Social behaviour.
Let’s Play: Co-designing Inclusive School Playgrounds with Neurodivergent Children
This new qualitative study, co designed with children age 10-12 years, investigated factors that make playgrounds more inclusive for neurodivergent children. The themes identified by children in the study highlight the need for affordances that offer a range of sensory experiences.
This new systematic review investigated vestibular sensory processing in individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The researchers found distinct differences in vestibular processing in these populations. Individuals with schizophrenia presented with difficulties that impacted on postural control whilst individuals with bipolar disorder presented with vestibular changes that was associated with anxiety and comorbidity. This study highlights the need of considering vestibular function when conducting assessments in these individuals.
This new study highlights that motor difficulties are often missed by specialists working with autistic children and emphasises the importance of thorough assessments to better support them with participation in 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:
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
ØThe Sensory Side of Parenting - 18 November 2025
Latest Job Listings
Are you thinking of making a career move this year? Check out our latest job listing:
Contractors – Paediatric Occupational Therapists with Sensory Integration Training, Parents And Children Together (PACT), Berkshire and surrounding areas, UK
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.
