Sensory Integration Network

16/09/2026

Interesting new research starting on neurodiversity in the agricultural sector...

🌾 Farming could be overlooking valuable neurodivergent talent

Research will look at ADHD and other neurotypes across agriculture, looking at workplace barriers, strengths, staff retention and practical support for rural workers

READ MORE: https://www.farminguk.com/news/study-to-explore-hidden-neurodivergent-talent-in-farming_69135.html

16/09/2026

❓ Have you booked your place yet for this year's FREE Sensory Inclusion Summit 2026 — a one-day online event bringing together leading researchers, clinicians and lived-experience speakers to explore this year’s theme:

Changing Environments, Enabling Participation

Because sensory inclusion isn’t about asking people to adapt to environments that aren’t working for them. It’s about changing environments - physical and relational — so more people can participate, belong and thrive.

Join us as our speakers share current research, practical ideas and real-world examples of how sensory-inclusive environments can make a meaningful difference across healthcare, education and community settings.

👀 Take a look at some of the speakers joining us and adding their voices to the conversation.

Whether you’re an occupational therapist, teacher, SENCO, psychologist, social worker, early-years practitioner or healthcare professional, you’ll come away with fresh perspectives and ideas you can put into practice.

📅 Tuesday 13 October 2026
💻 Free online | Pre-recorded sessions with 7 days’ access
📃 CPD certificate for attending

👉 Register your free place today:
https://www.sensoryintegrationeducation.com/courses/sensory-inclusion-summit-2026

And please share with your colleagues — the more voices we bring into the conversation, the more we can change environments for the better 💜

Save the date. Register today. And watch this space for more speaker announcements and Summit updates!

16/09/2026

This new systematic review synthesised findings from 33 studies examining interoceptive accuracy, attention, and beliefs across adult clinical populations, including generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Findings suggest both shared and disorder-specific interoceptive profiles, with panic disorder and generalised anxiety disorder most consistently associated with heightened attention to bodily sensations and altered interoceptive accuracy, particularly in threat-related contexts. Obsessive-compulsive disorder was more strongly characterised by maladaptive interoceptive beliefs and increased attention to bodily sensations, while evidence relating to PTSD and social anxiety remains limited. Neuroimaging findings further indicate alterations in functional connectivity within neural networks supporting interoceptive processing. Collectively, the findings highlight as a potentially important transdiagnostic dimension across anxiety-related disorders, while also underscoring considerable methodological variability within the existing evidence base.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2026.121961

Follow us to keep up to date on the latest research in Sensory Integration and Neurodiversity.

To learn more about supporting individuals with sensory differences across the lifespan see the link below:
https://www.sensoryintegrationeducation.com/bundles/Sensory-Inclusion-Facilitator-Certificate-B

15/09/2026

Did you know someone can be completely calm and still struggle to take part? 🤔

In our teaser for the Sensory Inclusion Summit 2026, Dr Mim Ochsenbein explains praxis — the ability to plan and carry out movement — and why sensory-friendly spaces don't always mean sensory-functional ones.

15/09/2026

🧠 What if a child’s behaviour is telling us something about what they’re experiencing inside their body?

Interoception — our ability to sense and interpret internal body signals — plays an important role in emotional regulation, attention, motivation and everyday life.

For children and young people who have experienced developmental trauma, interoceptive processing can be disrupted, influencing how they experience stress, regulate emotions and participate in daily activities.

Join us on 24 September for our next live webinar: Interoception and Developmental Trauma

Hosted by paediatric Occupational Therapist, Mentor and Researcher Dr Michelle Newby, the webinar will explore:
🔹 The neuroscience behind interoception
🔹 How developmental trauma can affect interoceptive processing
🔹 The impact on emotional regulation and occupational performance
🔹 Assessment tools and their strengths and limitations
🔹 Sensory-informed, trauma-responsive intervention strategies
🔹 Approaches to support body awareness, co-regulation and self-regulation

📅 24 September 2026
💻 Live online

Find out more and book your place 👇

This webinar is free to attend for SIE Lifelong Learning members.

15/09/2026

What can neurodivergent design teach every workplace? 💡

Accessibility isn’t just about ramps, lifts and automatic doors. Inclusive workplaces also consider how people experience sound, light, space, communication, wayfinding and focus.

Designing for neurodiversity means creating workplaces with:
✨ Clear, intuitive layouts
✨ Choice between collaborative and quiet spaces
✨ Sensory comfort
✨ Flexible, adaptable environments
✨ Greater freedom to work in ways that suit individual needs

And the best part? These principles don’t just benefit neurodivergent employees—they can create more comfortable, productive and welcoming workplaces for everyone.

As we mark this week, it’s a timely reminder that inclusion should be built in from the start, not added as an afterthought.

https://www.bdcnetwork.com/building-sector-reports/office-buildings/blog/55403495/what-neurodivergent-design-can-teach-every-workplace

14/09/2026

What if a child's struggle isn't about the child at all — but the environment around them? 🤔

We've got a first look at a new model from Dr Lelanie Brewer, Highly Specialised Occupational Therapist and Advanced SI Practitioner — designed to help parents, carers and professionals rethink how they support people with sensory processing differences.

The full reveal happens at the Sensory Inclusion Summit 2026 — and it's completely free. 🎟️

14/09/2026

We are proud to support this year's of which the theme is 'Build Trust. Navigate Change.'

We don’t all experience the world in the same way.

For someone with sensory differences, things that might seem small to others — a busy room, bright lights, loud noises, strong smells or an unexpected change of plans — can feel overwhelming.

That’s why inclusion starts with understanding.

It’s about listening without judgement, being curious about what someone needs, and creating spaces where people feel comfortable being themselves.

Sometimes, building trust is as simple as giving someone a little more time, explaining what’s going to happen, offering a quieter space, or asking, “What would make this easier for you?”

Because when we take the time to understand each other, we make change easier to navigate — and we create a place where everyone can feel they belong.

This Inclusion Week, let’s listen, understand and make space for every way of experiencing the world. 💛

14/09/2026

This new systematic review explored how sensory-responsive architectural design can contribute to more inclusive, supportive, and affirming learning environments for autistic children.

Using the PRISMA methodology, 2,512 studies were initially identified, with 25 articles meeting the final inclusion criteria. The review synthesised 21 sensory design principles, organised into three interconnected categories:

1. Sensory and environmental considerations — including acoustics, lighting, colour, safety, and spatial sequencing.
2. Supportive spaces — including quiet rooms, gardens, and opportunities for retreat, regulation, and choice.
3. Architectural components — including windows, ceilings, materials, textures, and other elements that influence sensory experience.

The findings highlight the importance of understanding how built environments can shape autistic people’s sensory experiences, comfort, participation, and ability to engage with learning.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S305065652600146X?via%3Dihub

Follow us to keep up to date on the latest research in Sensory Integration and Neurodiversity.

To learn more about supporting individuals with sensory differences across the lifespan see the link below:
https://www.sensoryintegrationeducation.com/bundles/Sensory-Inclusion-Facilitator-Certificate-B

13/09/2026

A community group supporting neurodivergent people and their families is marking its first anniversary after helping members find connection, confidence and hope.

Different Minds, One Community was founded by Michelle Mackin, a care coordinator with Bury GP Federation, in response to growing demand for support for people living with multiple or co-occurring neurodivergent conditions.

The group provides a safe space where people can meet others with similar experiences, share advice and access practical support. It is supported by social prescribing teams across Bury’s GP practices and community organisations.

https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/26504291.monthly-neurodiversity-group-celebrated-one-year-anniversary/