Adolescent / Adult Sensory Profile

Audience

This workshop is designed for allied health professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Speech Pathologists, Physiotherapists, Social Workers, and Rehabilitation Practitioners.

It is particularly relevant for those supporting adolescents and adults whose sensory processing differences affect daily living, participation, and mental health.

Course Description

Sensory processing differences are increasingly recognised in adolescents and adults, particularly among individuals with autism, neurological conditions, developmental disorders, and mental health presentations. When unaddressed, these differences can contribute to anxiety, functional limitations, and reduced quality of life.

This workshop introduces allied health professionals to the foundations of sensory processing and sensory processing disorder, including key types, prevalence, and associated conditions. Participants will learn to identify signs of dysfunction across sensory systems—from vision and hearing through to proprioception and interoception. Assessment options are explored, with an emphasis on the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and complementary tools that link sensory needs to functional outcomes.

Evidence-informed intervention strategies are also covered, including environmental modifications, accommodations, sensory diets, and interoception supports. The workshop concludes with practical guidance on integrating sensory processing findings into clear, functional reports that provide actionable recommendations.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Define sensory processing and sensory processing disorder, including prevalence, causes, and associated conditions.
• Differentiate between the main types of sensory processing disorder: sensory modulation disorder, sensory-based motor disorder, and sensory discrimination disorder.
• Recognise signs of dysfunction across sensory systems (visual, tactile, auditory, gustatory, olfactory, vestibular, proprioceptive, and interoceptive) in adolescents and adults.
• Identify appropriate assessment approaches, including the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and complementary tools, and link findings to functional performance.
• Apply evidence-informed intervention approaches, including environmental modifications, accommodations, sensory diets, interoception supports, and education for clients, families, and caregivers.
• Integrate sensory processing knowledge into clear, practical reports with functional examples and tailored recommendations.

Pre-Requisites

Confidentiality

All workshop materials, including recordings, slides, and case examples, must be treated as confidential. By enrolling, you agree to:

• Not copy, record, or distribute any part of the workshop content in any format.
• Keep your login details secure and ensure only you access the provided materials.
• Avoid showing or sharing content with colleagues, peers, or external groups unless they have purchased their own access.

Intellectual Property

All training resources, templates, workbooks, and guides are the intellectual property of Verve OT Learning. These materials are provided for your personal learning and professional development. You agree to:

• Use the content solely for your own clinical or educational purposes.
• Not reproduce, adapt, or distribute the materials without written permission from Verve OT Learning.
• Not screenshot, duplicate, or repurpose any part of the workshop materials, including video or text, for sharing with others.

Resources and Templates

Any templates or guides provided with the training are designed to support your practice. Editable versions may be supplied for you to adapt for your client work. To use these resources within a team or organisation, each professional must hold their own licence or course access.

Presenters

Nikki Cousins

Nikki Cousins is an Occupational Therapist and Director of Action Occupational Therapy in the Hunter Region, NSW. She has extensive experience supporting adolescents and adults with complex needs, where sensory processing plays a critical role in participation, independence, and wellbeing.

Nikki is highly skilled in applying sensory processing knowledge to inform interventions that build capacity through environmental modifications, education for families and caregivers, and strategies that enhance daily living and community participation. She has presented nationally across Australia on sensory processing and capacity building and continues to mentor clinicians in integrating sensory approaches into functional, goal-directed practice.

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