Sensory issues can have a big impact on school life, whether they are sensory-seeking or sensory avoidant and how schools can make reasonable adjustments.

This week's guest is Sarah-Jane Critchley. Sarah-Jane is passionate about helping autistic people, their families, friends and supporters live happier lives of their own choosing. She is the internationally recognised author of ‘A Different Joy: The Parents’ Guide to Living Better with Autism, Dyslexia, ADHD and More...’.

She spent 10 years as Programme Manager of the AET.  Whilst there I commissioned the AET’s School standards and competency frameworks. A key element of the Standards, Competencies and Progression Frameworks is the section on enabling environments which looks specifically at Sensory Adjustments.  

Sarah Jane is a mother to two autistic teenagers (a late-diagnosed girl and a boy) and an autistic husband and lives with two cats.

Sensory issues are common to many people, including those who are not autistic as well as those who are. Most autistic people experience differences in how they experience the world through their senses. They can be sensory-seeking, or sensory avoidant and the degree of sensitivity can vary from one situation to another and from day to day.

Useful Links

1. AET Sensory Audit for Schools and Classrooms http://www.aettraininghubs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/37.1-Sensory-audit-tool-for-environments.pdf
2. AET Sensory assessment Checklist http://www.aettraininghubs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/37.2-Sensory-assessment-checklist.pdf
3. Adult ‘Understanding and Managing Sensory Input Tool’ from A Different Joy https://www.differentjoy.com/ADSM
4. Equalities Act 2010 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents