Sensory Needs Screening & Early Identification Toolkit

Are sensory needs being mistaken for behaviour, anxiety, poor attention or disengagement in your school? This practical, ready-to-use resource has been designed to help teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs and inclusion staff recognise sensory differences early and make effective classroom adjustments before difficulties escalate.

This toolkit includes a comprehensive Sensory Screening Checklist covering over-responsive, under-responsive and sensory-seeking presentations, a Classroom Observation Sheet, Sensory Audit for Teachers, and a practical Sensory Strategy Bank packed with reasonable adjustments for everyday classroom use.

Also included is a 5-Minute Staff Briefing and PowerPoint training presentation explaining how sensory needs can impact learning, behaviour, attendance, emotional wellbeing and relationships. Staff are encouraged to move beyond asking,“Why is this child behaving like this?” and instead consider,“What sensory need might this child be communicating?”

Perfect for whole-school CPD, SEND development plans and early identification programmes, this resource supports a graduated response approach and aims to improve staff confidence, increase reasonable adjustments and enhance outcomes for pupils with sensory differences.