A “Sensory Profile” is a personal map of what makes you feel overwhelmed versus what helps you feel calm. Below is a checklist designed for a workplace or study environment.
📝 The Workplace Sensory Profile Checklist
For each item, mark whether you are Over-sensitive (Avoid), Under-sensitive (Seek), or Neutral.
👁️ Visual (Sight)
- Fluorescent Lighting: Does it feel too bright or do you notice a flicker?
- Peripheral Movement: Does people walking past your desk break your focus?
- Clutter: Does a messy desk make your brain feel “noisy”?
- Screen Glare: Do you find yourself squinting even when the brightness is down?
👂 Auditory (Sound)
- Mechanical Hum: Do you hear the AC, fridge, or computer fan constantly?
- Background Chatter: Is it hard to filter out a conversation happening nearby?
- Sudden Noises: Do phone pings or doors slamming cause a “startle” response?
- Silence: Is “dead silence” actually distracting or unnerving for you?
🖐️ Tactile (Touch)
- Clothing Textures: Do tags, seams, or specific fabrics (like wool) feel itchy?
- Surface Textures: Does the feel of your desk or chair material bother you?
- Temperature: Do you feel much colder or hotter than everyone else in the room?
- Personal Space: Does it feel stressful when people stand close to you?
🧘 Proprioception & Vestibular (Body Awareness & Balance)
- Sitting Still: Do you feel a need to rock, bounce your leg, or pace to think?
- Deep Pressure: Do you feel better when wearing a heavy coat or a tight backpack?
- Clumsiness: Do you often bump into the corners of desks or doorways?
🚀 Creating Your “Sensory Toolkit”
Once you’ve identified your triggers, you can build a Sensory Toolkit to keep at your desk. Here’s what a typical one looks like:
The Trigger |
The Tool |
| Noise Overload | Loops earplugs or Noise-Canceling Headphones. |
| Visual Overload | A desk divider or blue-light blocking glasses. |
| Fidgeting/Focus | A “Tangle” toy, a spinning ring, or a heavy lap pad. |
| Restlessness | A “Wobble Cushion” for your chair or a standing desk converter. |
| Low Energy | A sour candy or a very cold drink to “reset” the system. |
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