Blossom Rural can assist with...

Sensory processing

An Occupational Therapist (OT) can help you and your child make sense of their sensory processing preferences, and provide practical, evidence-informed strategies to support them at home, at school, and in the community.

Every person experiences the world through their senses but not everyone processes that sensory information in the same way. Each of us has unique sensory preferences, and for most people, these differences are simply part of what makes us who we are. But for some children, sensory processing differences are strong enough to significantly impact their daily life, affecting how they eat, dress, behave, cope in busy environments, and regulate their emotions.

Sensory processing difficulties are often misunderstood. A child who refuses to wear certain clothes, melts down in a noisy shopping centre, or seems unable to sit still may be experiencing the world in a way that feels overwhelming or uncomfortable. Understanding your child’s sensory preferences which are driving these responses is the first step toward helping adjust the environment to increase their participation.

You might benefit from consulting one of our OTs if your child:

  • Is an extremely fussy eater – showing strong aversions to certain textures, tastes, temperatures, or food presentations that go beyond typical childhood pickiness
  • Avoids places or activities – steering clear of busy, noisy, or visually stimulating environments due to potential sensory overload
  • Has difficulty managing their behaviour at home or school – where sensory triggers may be contributing to outbursts, shutdowns, or difficulty coping
  • Refuses to wear certain clothing – reacting strongly to textures, tags, seams, or the feeling of particular fabrics against their skin
  • Experiences big emotional reactions – responding intensely to noise, bright lights, crowds, or unexpected sensory input in ways that feel disproportionate to others
  • Needs to move constantly – seeking movement throughout the day and even during sleep, which may indicate a need for more sensory input than their environment is providing

How Blossom Rural can help

Our Occupational Therapists are trained to assess sensory processing and work collaboratively with children and their families to understand what they are experiencing, and why. From there, we develop tailored strategies that work across environments.

Begin with Blossom

‘Begin with Blossom’ is a free 10-minute phone call with one of our Speech Pathologists or Occupational Therapists.

We understand that navigating and starting allied health supports can feel overwhelming. At Blossom Rural, we want families to feel supported from the very beginning.

‘Begin With Blossom’ is our early support process, designed to help families feel confident, informed, and connected as they start their therapy journey with us.

This process is perfect for you, if: