Sensory processing difficulties can affect every part of daily life - how you cope with noise in a busy office, the feel of certain clothing against your skin, or the overwhelm of a supermarket on a Saturday morning. If these experiences are familiar, you are not alone, and practical support is available.
At Flourish Health Australia, our AHPRA-registered occupational therapists provide in-home sensory assessments, personalised sensory diets, and environmental strategies designed around your actual life. We service Melbourne metro and surrounding areas, with telehealth available across Victoria.
We work with plan-managed and self-managed NDIS participants, as well as private clients and Home Care Package recipients. No GP referral is required to get started.
What Is Sensory Processing?
Sensory processing is how your brain receives, organises, and responds to information from your environment and your body. Most people picture the five traditional senses, but there are actually eight sensory systems your brain manages simultaneously:
- Visual (sight) - processing light, colour, movement, and spatial information
- Auditory (hearing) - processing sounds, pitch, volume, and the direction of sound
- Tactile (touch) - processing pressure, temperature, pain, and texture through the skin
- Gustatory (taste) - processing flavours and textures in the mouth
- Olfactory (smell) - processing scents and chemical signals
- Proprioception - sensing body position, muscle tension, and joint movement from within
- Vestibular - sensing balance, gravity, and movement through space
- Interoception - sensing internal body states like hunger, thirst, heart rate, and emotion
For most people, this processing happens automatically in the background. When it doesn’t work as expected, the result can be sensory overwhelm, avoidance, or under-registration - all of which have real impacts on daily life.
Signs of Sensory Processing Difficulties in Adults
Sensory processing difficulties are not always obvious - especially in adults who have spent years developing strategies to cope. Common signs include:
- Being easily overwhelmed or distressed by background noise, crowds, bright lights, or strong smells
- Difficulty tolerating certain clothing textures, labels, or seams
- Avoidance of specific foods based on texture or temperature
- Difficulty concentrating in environments with unpredictable sensory input (open-plan offices, shopping centres)
- Frequently feeling uncoordinated, clumsy, or unaware of your body position in space
- Seeking intense physical input - tight clothing, deep pressure, heavy exercise - to feel regulated
- Difficulty reading internal signals like hunger, thirst, or the need for rest
- Meltdowns, shutdowns, or intense distress in response to sensory triggers
These experiences are not character flaws. They reflect a neurological difference in how the brain processes incoming information.
How Occupational Therapy Addresses Sensory Processing
Occupational therapy is the primary allied health profession for assessing and treating sensory processing difficulties. Our approach is practical and evidence-informed.
Sensory Assessment
We conduct a thorough assessment of your sensory profile - how you respond across each sensory system, in which environments, and with what functional impact. Assessment may include standardised tools, structured interview, clinical observation, and a home visit to see how your environment contributes to your experience.
Personalised Sensory Diet
A sensory diet is a schedule of sensory activities tailored to your nervous system’s needs throughout the day. It is not a food diet - it is a structured plan of sensory inputs that help your brain stay regulated. A good sensory diet reduces overwhelm, improves concentration, and supports emotional regulation.
Environmental Modifications
Often, the most effective intervention is changing the environment rather than changing the person. We help you identify practical modifications at home, at work, or in community settings that reduce sensory demand - things like lighting choices, workspace layout, noise management strategies, and clothing adjustments.
Interoception and Body Awareness
Many adults with sensory processing difficulties struggle to read internal signals. We work on interoception - building your awareness of what your body is communicating - which underpins emotional regulation, self-care, and decision-making.
Coping Strategies for Unavoidable Environments
Not every environment can be modified. We help you develop strategies for managing sensory load in unavoidable situations - commuting, social events, healthcare appointments, and workplaces - without relying on avoidance alone.
Who Benefits from Sensory Processing OT?
Sensory processing difficulties are common in people with:
- Autism spectrum conditions
- ADHD
- Anxiety disorders
- Trauma and PTSD
- Sensory processing disorder (as a standalone diagnosis)
- Acquired brain injury or stroke
- Chronic pain conditions
You do not need a formal diagnosis to access sensory OT. If sensory experiences are affecting your daily functioning, that is enough reason to explore support.
NDIS Funding for Sensory Processing OT
If you have an NDIS plan, sensory processing OT can typically be funded under Capacity Building - Daily Activities. Some assistive products - like weighted blankets, compression garments, or noise-cancelling tools - may also be fundable under your Core or Capital budget.
We are an NDIS-aligned (unregistered) provider. We work with plan-managed and self-managed participants only.
Getting Started
We service Melbourne metro and surrounding areas in-home, with telehealth available across Victoria.
- Phone: (03) 7043 7778
- Email: admin@flourishhealth.com.au
- Online referral form - available on our website, no GP referral required
We typically see new clients within one to two weeks.
