Belong Health

Sensory Processing Differences (SPD) Support

Occupational Therapy for Children and Adults in Perth & Mandurah
At Belong Health, we specialise in supporting individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Our comprehensive strategies include personalised sensory diets, occupational therapy interventions, and environmental modifications to help individuals of all ages manage sensory challenges and enhance their daily functioning.

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Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Description
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition in which the brain has difficulty receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses. Children with SPD may be overly sensitive to sensory input, under-responsive, or have difficulty integrating sensory information.

What Are Sensory Processing Differences?

Sensory processing differences refer to the way the brain receives, interprets, and responds to sensory information from the environment and the body.

Everyone processes sensory information differently. For some children and adults, these differences can impact comfort, participation, and daily activities at home, school, work, or in the community.

You may also hear the term Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). While this term is commonly used, it is not a formal medical diagnosis.
Sensory processing differences are widely recognised and supported within Occupational Therapy and may occur alongside Autism, ADHD, Developmental Differences, or on their own.

Autism Support

ADHD Support

How Sensory Processing Differences Can Present

Sensory experiences are unique to each person. Some individuals may be more sensitive to sensory input, while others may seek out more sensory experiences.

This can include:

Sensitivity to Sensory Input

Becoming overwhelmed by noise, lights, textures, or smells
Avoiding certain clothing, foods, or environments
Preferring predictable and calm spaces

Seeking Sensory Input

Enjoying movement, spinning, jumping, or crashing activities
Touching objects frequently or seeking deep pressure
Preferring loud or busy environments

Differences in Body Awareness

Challenges with coordination or motor planning
Appearing clumsy or unsure of body position (proprioception – body awareness)
Difficulty with balance and movement (vestibular – balance system)

These sensory differences are not “behaviours to fix”, they are meaningful responses that help individuals regulate and interact with their environment.

If you're also noticing challenges with attention or learning, you can explore our ADHD Support Resources or Learning Difficulties Support

Identifying Signs of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Over-Responsiveness (Hypersensitivity)
Sensitivity to Touch: Discomfort with certain textures, fabrics, or physical contact. May avoid hugs or certain types of clothing.
Sensitivity to Sounds: Overwhelmed by loud noises or specific sounds, such as vacuum cleaners or alarms.
Visual Sensitivity: Distress from bright lights or busy visual environments.
Taste and Smell Sensitivity: Strong aversions to certain foods based on taste or smell.

Under-Responsiveness (Hyposensitivity)
High Pain Tolerance: Unusual tolerance to pain or temperature extremes.
Craving Intense Sensory Input: Seeking out intense sensory experiences, such as spinning, jumping, or crashing into objects.
Low Awareness of Body Position: Difficulty knowing where their body is in space, leading to clumsiness or difficulty with coordination.

Sensory Integration Challenges
Difficulty with Motor Skills: Challenges with both fine and gross motor tasks, such as writing, cutting, or sports.
Trouble with Daily Activities: Difficulty with everyday tasks such as dressing, feeding, or grooming due to sensory preferences or aversions.
Emotional and Behavioural Responses: Frequent meltdowns or anxiety due to sensory overload or under-stimulation

How Sensory Processing Can Impact Daily Life

Sensory processing differences can influence many areas of life, including:

Emotional regulation and coping with overwhelm
Attention and concentration
Communication and social participation
Play, learning, and school engagement
Daily routines such as dressing, eating, and sleep

Sensory experiences can also interact with anxiety, stress, and environmental demands. Understanding these patterns helps us better support each individual in a way that respects their needs and preferences.

How Occupational Therapy Can Help

Occupational therapy focuses on supporting individuals to participate in meaningful daily activities in a way that feels comfortable and achievable for them.

Our occupational therapists work collaboratively with individuals and families to:

Understand sensory preferences and patterns
Identify triggers for overwhelm or dysregulation
Develop practical, individualised sensory strategies
Support emotional regulation and daily routines
Modify environments to better match sensory needs
Build skills for independence and participation

Rather than trying to change the individual, we focus on creating the right supports, environments, and strategies to help them thrive.

You can also explore practical strategies in our Resource Hub

Our Sensory Processing Support Services

At Belong Health, we provide sensory processing support for children, adolescents, and adults across Perth, Mandurah, and wider Western Australia.

Our services may include:

Sensory Assessments

Comprehensive occupational therapy assessments
Understanding sensory preferences and responses
Functional recommendations for home, school, or work

Individual Therapy Sessions

Sensory regulation strategies
Motor planning and coordination support
Emotional regulation and coping strategies

Parent and Carer Support

Practical strategies for home routines
Understanding sensory needs and responses
Building confidence in supporting your child

School and Community Support

Collaboration with teachers and support teams
Classroom strategies and environmental adjustments
Supporting participation in learning and social settings

Telehealth Services Across WA

Access support from anywhere in Western Australia
Ideal for rural and regional families
Parent coaching and strategy development

When to Consider Sensory Support

You might consider occupational therapy support if you or your child:

Becomes easily overwhelmed in certain environments
Seeks out movement, pressure, or sensory input frequently
Avoids specific textures, sounds, or activities
Has difficulty with coordination or motor skills
Finds daily routines challenging (e.g., dressing, eating, sleep)
Experiences challenges with attention, regulation, or transitions

If you’re unsure, our team can help guide you through the next steps.

A Multidisciplinary Approach

Sensory processing differences often connect with other areas such as communication, emotional wellbeing, and behaviour.

At Belong Health, we take a collaborative approach and may work alongside:

Speech Pathologists (communication and social interaction)
Psychologists (emotional regulation, anxiety, assessment)
Counsellors (emotional support and coping strategies)
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners (understanding behaviour and environments)

This ensures support is holistic, consistent, and tailored to the individual.

Explore Related Support

Get Started

If you’re looking for sensory processing support in Perth, Mandurah, or across Western Australia, our team is here to help.
We offer:

No waitlist options (where available)
In-home, school, community, and telehealth services
Support for all ages

Contact our team today to get started or to discuss your needs.
Our team is here to help call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us an email here

Book a free 20-minute call with our team

Support Strategies for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Creating Sensory-Friendly Environments
Sensory Diet: Develop a personalised sensory diet with activities that provide the right amount of sensory input the child needs throughout the day.
Adapted Environments: Modify environments to reduce sensory overload, such as using noise-cancelling headphones or adjusting lighting.
Sensory Breaks: Schedule regular sensory breaks throughout the day to help the child self-regulate.

Enhancing Sensory Integration
Occupational Therapy: Engage in occupational therapy sessions focused on sensory integration techniques.
Sensory Play: Incorporate sensory play activities such as playing with sand, water, or textured materials.
Proprioceptive Activities: Include activities that provide deep pressure and proprioceptive input, such as heavy work tasks, weighted blankets, or body squeezes.

Supporting Daily Activities
Structured Routines: Establish predictable and structured routines to help the child feel more secure and in control.
Visual Supports: Use visual schedules and social stories to prepare the child for daily activities and transitions.
Adaptive Tools: Provide adaptive tools, such as weighted utensils or sensory-friendly clothing, to assist with self-care tasks.

Promoting Positive Behaviour
Positive Reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement to encourage appropriate sensory-seeking or sensory-avoiding behaviours.
Behavioural Plans: Develop individualised behaviour plans that include sensory strategies to prevent and manage meltdowns.
Calm Down Techniques: Teach and practice calm down techniques, such as deep breathing, to help the child manage sensory overload.

Steps to Get a Diagnosis for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

1.Observing Signs and Symptoms:
Parents and caregivers should keep a detailed record of their child's sensory preferences, aversions, and responses, including any challenges with daily activities and behaviours.
2.Consulting with a Paediatrician:
Schedule an appointment with the child's paediatrician to discuss concerns. The paediatrician will conduct an initial evaluation and may use screening tools to assess for SPD.
3.Referral to an Occupational Therapist:
If the paediatrician suspects SPD, they will refer the child to a paediatric occupational therapist with expertise in sensory integration for a comprehensive evaluation.
4.Comprehensive Evaluation:
The occupational therapist will conduct a detailed assessment, which may include:

Developmental history and parental interviews.
Observations of the child's sensory responses in various environments.
Standardised tests and diagnostic tools (e.g., Sensory Processing Measure or Sensory Profile).

5.Diagnosis and Recommendations:
Based on the evaluation, the occupational therapist will provide a diagnosis and recommendations for intervention and support. This may include:

Sensory integration therapy.
Sensory diet plans.
Environmental modifications.

6.Developing an Intervention Plan:
Collaborate with healthcare professionals to create a comprehensive intervention plan tailored to the child's sensory needs. This plan should address sensory processing, self-regulation, and daily activities.
7.Ongoing Monitoring and Support:
Regularly review and adjust the intervention plan as the child progresses. Ensure ongoing communication and collaboration between parents, healthcare providers, and educators to provide consistent support.

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) FAQs
Q: What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
A: SPD is a condition where the brain has difficulty receiving and responding to information from the senses. Children with SPD may be over or under-sensitive to sensory stimuli, impacting their daily functioning.
Q: How can Occupational Therapy help with SPD?
A: OT can provide sensory integration therapy to help children process sensory information more effectively. Therapists create individualised sensory diets and strategies to manage sensory sensitivities and improve daily functioning.
Q: What are common signs of SPD?
A: Signs include sensitivity to textures, sounds, or lights, difficulty with fine motor tasks, avoiding certain activities, and having meltdowns in response to sensory overload.

Sensory Profile & Sensory Processing Measure Assessments
Understanding how a person processes sensory information can be an important step in supporting participation in everyday life. Sensory experiences influence how people move, learn, regulate emotions, interact with others, and engage in daily activities.

At Belong Health, our Occupational Therapists can complete Sensory Profile and Sensory Processing Measure assessments to help better understand how an individual responds to sensory input in different environments.
These assessments can be completed as a stand-alone service, meaning you do not need to be an existing Occupational Therapy client with our team. Many families, schools, support coordinators, and other professionals seek sensory assessments to gain clearer insight into sensory processing patterns and how they may be affecting daily functioning.

Accessing our Perth services

Let's Work Together

Referrals to Belong Health
We are Medicare and Private Health fund registered for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology.

EPC/Team care arrangements/Chronic disease (CDM) or GP management plans and self-referrals are all acceptable.

WA NDIS Registered Provider

Medicare
You can get a referral from your/your child’s GP for OT on a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan this gives you 5 sessions for OT per calendar year with a $53 rebate available on each session or a Helping Children with Autism/PDD/ or an eligible disability package (20 sessions between allied health professionals, as set up by a Paediatrician/Psychiatrist) which gives your child under 16 years a $75 rebate per session for the 20 sessions, you can use up to 10 sessions per Health Professional (up to 10 for OT) and you will need a separate referral letter from your child’s Paediatrician for each Allied Health Professional you are seeking services from.

Private Health
Your Private Health fund may cover up to 75% of the cost of OT sessions if this is included in your cover, be sure to call them or check your policy for details.

No referral or self referral
You do not require a referral for accessing OT

NDIS Registered Provider
We are an NDIS Registered Provider
Whether you or your child have NDIS funding that is NDIS Managed, Third Party Plan Managed or you are Self-Managing your funds, you are able to use your funding to cover the full cost of therapy services plus travel costs. You will need provide us with your/your child’s NDIS number and plan details ahead of your first session. Once you have booked a session or contacted us, our team will be in touch to discuss our service agreement and provide you with our services price list.

Belong Health Occupational Therapist & NDIS Support Coordination

13 Littleton st, Falcon

Phone: 08 9586 3934

EMAIL US

OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8:30am - 4:30pm

BELONG HEALTH'S Paediatric Occupational Therapy SERVICES FOR Perth region

A: Alexander Heights, Alfred Cove, Applecross, Applecross North, Ardross, Armadale, Ascot, Ashby, Ashfield, Attadale, Atwell, Aubin Grove, Aveley
B: Balcatta, Balga, Ballajura, Banjup, Banksia Grove, Baskerville, Bassendean, Bateman, Bayswater, Beaconsfield, Beckenham, Bedford, Bedfordale, Beechboro, Beeliar, Beldon, Belhus, Bellevue, Belmont, Bennett Springs, Bentley, Bibra Lake, Bicton, Booragoon, Boya, Brabham, Brentwood, Brigadoon, Broadway Nedlands, Brookdale, Bull Creek, Burns Beach, Burswood, Bushmead, Butler
C: Canning Vale, Cannington, Carabooda, Carine, Carlisle, Carramar, Caversham, Champion Lakes, Churchlands, City Beach, Claremont, Clarkson, Cloverdale, Cockburn Central, Como, Connolly, Coogee, Coolbellup, Coolbinia, Cottesloe, Craigie, Crawley, Currambine
D: Daglish, Dalkeith, Darch, Darlington, Dayton, Dianella, Dog Swamp, Doubleview, Duncraig
E: East Cannington, East Fremantle, East Perth, East Victoria Park, Eden Hill, Edgewater, Ellenbrook, Embleton
F: Ferndale, Floreat, Forrestdale, Forrestfield, Fremantle
G: Gidgegannup, Girrawheen, Glen Forrest, Glendalough, Glengarry, Gnangara, Gosnells, Greenmount, Greenwood, Guildford, Gwelup
H: Hamersley, Hamilton Hill, Hammond Park, Harrisdale, Haynes, Hazelmere, Heathridge, Helena Valley, Henderson, Henley Brook, Herdsman, Herne Hill, High Wycombe, Highgate, Hilbert, Hillarys, Hilton, Hocking, Hovea, Huntingdale
I: Iluka, Inglewood, Innaloo, Jandabup, Jandakot, Jane Brook, Jindalee, Jolimont, Joondalup, Joondanna
K: Kallaroo, Karawara, Kardinya, Karragullen, Karrakatta, Karrinyup, Kelmscott, Kensington, Kenwick, Kewdale, Kiara, Kings Park, Kingsley, Kingsway, Kinross, Koondoola, Koongamia
L: Landsdale, Langford, Lathlain, Leederville, Leeming, Lexia, Lockridge, Lynwood
M: Maddington, Madeley, Mahogany Creek, Maida Vale, Malaga, Manning, Marangaroo, Mariginiup, Marmion, Martin, Maylands, Melaleuca, Melville, Menora, Merriwa, Middle Swan, Midland, Midvale, Millendon, Mindarie, Mirrabooka, Morangup, Morley, Mosman Park, Mount Claremont, Mount Hawthorn, Mount Lawley, Mount Nasura, Mount Pleasant, Mount Richon, Mullaloo, Munster, Murdoch, Myaree
N: Nedlands, Neerabup, Nollamara, Noranda, North Beach, North Coogee, North Fremantle, North Lake, North Perth, Northbridge, Nowergup
O: O'connor, Ocean Reef, Orange Grove, Osborne Park
P: Padbury, Palmyra, Parkerville, Parkwood, Pearsall, Peppermint Grove, Perth, Piara Waters, Pinjar, Queens Park, Quinns Rocks
R: Red Hill, Redcliffe, Ridgewood, Riverton, Rivervale, Roleystone, Rossmoyne, Rottnest Island
S: Salter Point, Samson, Sawyers Valley, Scarborough, Seville Grove, Shelley, Shenton Park, Sinagra, Sorrento, South Fremantle, South Guildford, South Lake, South Perth, Southern River, Spearwood, St James, Stirling, Stoneville, Stratton, Subiaco, Subiaco East, Success, Swan View, Swanbourne
T: Tamala Park, Tapping, The Vines, Thornlie, Treeby, Trigg, Tuart Hill
U: Upper Swan
V: Victoria Park
W: Wangara, Wanneroo, Warwick, Waterford, Watermans Bay, Wattle Grove, Wattleup, Welshpool, Wembley, Wembley Downs, West Leederville, West Perth, West Swan, Westfield, Westminster, White Gum Valley, Whiteman, Willagee, Willetton, Wilson, Winthrop, Woodbridge, Woodlands, Woodvale, Wungong
Y: Yangebup, Yokine