Sensory Profiles…in Cute Form

January 12, 2023 The Occuplaytional Therapist Philosophy, Sensory Comments Off on Sensory Profiles…in Cute Form

This is SUCH a cute way of framing the four sensory profiles — in technical terms, and in order from left to right, top to bottom, they would be “low regulation”, “sensory seeking”, “sensory sensitive”, and “sensory avoidant”. But who doesn’t prefer to visualize those things as adorable mugs??

Everybody falls into one of these categories. People who are far out enough on the spectrum of one of the categories that it causes dysfunction in their everyday life are considered to have sensory processing difficulties/disorder.

“Big chill vessel” (aka low registration) means that you have a high threshold for sensory stimuli, and you’re passive about it — you don’t do much to seek it out or run away from it. It just happens and it doesn’t bother you much.

“Tall mug” (aka sensory seeking) means that you have a high threshold for sensory input, and you’re active about it. You want the mug “filled” and you’ll seek it out!

“Small handbuilt mug” (aka sensory sensitive) means that you have a low threshold for sensory input, and you’re passive about it. You’re noticing everything and it might sometimes be overwhelming — or it doesn’t take much to be overwhelmed.

“Little tea cup” (aka sensory avoidant) means that you have a low threshold for sensory input, and you’re active about seeking out the comfort level. You likely know exactly what is too much, and you’re likely to retreat away from it.

[Image description: The title says, “What sensory style are you?” There are 4 illustrated mugs. The first one is the “big chill vessel” which says passive regulation and high neurological threshold. It is described as: Big cup, can’t be bothered filling it. Easily overlooks sensory info. Good at focusing. “Where did that bruise come from?” The second one is the “tall mug”. This is a high neurological threshold and active regulation. It is described as: Big cup, let’s fill it up. Thrives in sensory rich settings. Steals your pen, clicks your pen, breaks your pen, dismantles your pen. The 3rd one is “small handbuilt mug”, which is passive regulation and a low neurological threshold. It is described as: Little cup, prone to overflow. Notices everything. Can feel the tag in a shirt – while someone else is wearing it. The 4th cup is called “little tea cup”. It is a low neurological threshold and active regulation. It is described as: Small cup, says ‘when’ pretty fast. Loves routine. Insightful about own needs. “Shh!” End description.]

Credit to @doing.therapy for the art!

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