How EVERY Professional Can Support Sensory Regulation
Let’s talk about something that’s long overdue: everyone deserves a seat at the sensory table.
And I mean everyone – teachers, OTs, PTs, SLPs, parents, feeding therapists. But let’s rewind for a second because, believe me, it wasn’t always like this.
When I first started talking about sensory, I got dragged in online groups—mostly from OTs.
And yeah, it stung. It was tough because I knew deep down that SLPs needed sensory strategies, not just to be cool with the OT crowd, but to really make a difference for our kids.
So, what did I do? I wrote about it—got articles published in our national magazines, talked about it at conferences (where no one was talking sensory for SLPs).
I took EVERY course I could get my hands on. Thousands of dollars and years of learning from the pros—who, yeah, weren’t SLPs.
I knew this information was too valuable not to share. Why? Because over 90% of Autistic kids have sensory differences!
That's reason enough for every therapist, teacher, and parent to get on board with sensory strategies.
And guess what? It worked. Slowly but surely, the tide started turning.
Today, more SLPs are talking about sensory (though still not enough, if you ask me).
And I’m not saying you should just dive into sensory work without training. Please don’t.
Would you sign up a kid for feeding therapy with someone who took one class in grad school and then called themselves a pro? Uh, no.
It’s the same for sensory. You have to learn, have a mentor, and get the experience. But here’s the thing: we can’t gatekeep sensory strategies. If you’re working with Autistic kids, sensory differences are part of the deal. And that’s true whether you’re an OT, PT, SLP, teacher, or parent.
Here’s why each of these professionals needs to be in the know when it comes to sensory:
Occupational Therapists (OTs)
When you think sensory, you probably think OT first. Fair. OTs generally get the most training on sensory in grad school (though, like anything, it depends on the school). But even for OTs, a lot of sensory knowledge comes from additional training after graduation. OTs are pros at assessing sensory needs and helping with daily living skills—think getting dressed, brushing teeth, potty training. Sensory impacts all of that! Like, if a child can’t feel the button on their shirt (hello, tactile perception), how are they supposed to button it? And if they don’t feel when their bladder is full (interoception), how are they supposed to work on potty training?
Physical Therapists (PTs)
PTs and OTs often overlap, especially when it comes to gross motor skills. Think kicking a ball or climbing a play structure. To kick that ball, a child needs their visual system, vestibular system (for balance), proprioceptive system (to figure out how hard to kick), and on and on. A kid with sensory differences might kick with the same force no matter how far away the goal is. Understanding that helps PTs tailor their strategies and really support that child.
Feeding Therapists (SLPs and OTs)
Feeding is where sensory gets HUGE. Kids can be super sensitive to the taste, smell, and texture of food. Or they can be the opposite—under-responsive, always overstuffing their mouths. Sensory also impacts regulation. If a kid is in fight-or-flight mode, they’re not going to feel hunger or focus on eating. Therapists who know how to help kids regulate are going to see more progress when it comes to feeding.
Teachers
Here’s a big one: teachers need this knowledge desperately, but they’re the ones who get it the least. Picture this: a teacher with 30 kids, all with different sensory needs, but no training on how to support regulation. And we expect them to teach math?! If a child isn’t regulated, they’re not learning. Simple as that. Teachers need to know how to identify sensory issues versus emotional dysregulation, too. So often we think, “Oh, this kid doesn’t like loud noises, that’s why he’s leaving the room,” but maybe he’s leaving because he feels emotionally dysregulated and unsupported. Teachers need tools to help all kids stay regulated so they can learn.
Parents
Parents are with their kids more than anyone else, and they need this information! Imagine being able to understand why your child is melting down or refusing certain foods or clothes. Sensory education for parents can change the whole dynamic at home. If parents know how to support their child's sensory needs, it can make things like mealtime, bedtime, and even playtime so much smoother.
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)
Finally, my SLPs. We are so needed at this sensory table. Why? Because for many Autistic kids, sensory differences directly impact their communication. If a child is too dysregulated to sit down and focus, how are they going to work on their speech and language goals? SLPs might not get formal sensory training in grad school (spoiler: most don’t), but we NEED to get on board. Sensory impacts communication, so we have to address it.
Why We Need to Drop the Gatekeeping
At the end of the day, the sensory table is big enough for everyone. And when we try to gatekeep sensory strategies, we’re only taking away from what could help the kids. The point isn’t to put labels on who gets to use these strategies—it’s to help our kids thrive. But—and this is important—if you’re going to use sensory strategies, you have to be trained. You have to know what you’re doing. Whether you’re an SLP, OT, PT, teacher, or parent, take the courses, find a mentor, and dive in.
Because the more seats we have at this table, the more we can truly support our kids.
Let’s give everyone a seat at the sensory table and start making some real progress for these amazing kids!
And if you are an SLP who is ready to dive deeper into sensory strategies and take your practice to the next level… Then make sure to join me for The Sensory SLP Workshop, a FREE training where we’ll break down how to use sensory strategies effectively with your caseload. Spots are limited, so don’t miss out—save your seat now and let’s get your sensory game on point! š„
