Sensory Ladders: Supporting Self-Regulation Through Crisis
                     S E N S O R Y  P R O J E C T   ×   A S I  W I S E
Sensory Ladders
Supporting Self-Regulation
How a simple, co-produced tool helped families, therapists and frontline workers regulate, 
connect and cope through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kath Smith  |  April 26, 2020  |  sensoryproject.org
What Are Sensory Ladders?
Originally developed in 2001, Sensory Ladders are simple, co-produced 
visual tools grounded in Ayres' Sensory Integration and enriched by 2001
psychological models such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Year the first Sensory Ladder
was developed
During the COVID-19 crisis, they proved to be more than visual aids — 
they became bridges: to understanding, to regulation, and to hope. Rooted In
Ayres' Sensory Integration
+ Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) principles
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Understanding Self-States in a Time of
Global Dysregulation
👦 👦 👦 👦
Children Adults Older People Healthcare Workers
Unable to attend school, cut off Shielding vulnerable relatives Cut off from community, Witnessing unprecedented 
from routine and friends. amid constant uncertainty. connection and daily routine. trauma on the frontline.
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Naming What We Feel
Sensory Ladders supported people in recognising and Photos
communicating their internal states — identifying what calm 
looked like, what distress felt like, and what might help.
Colours
For many, this was a gentle reminder that communicating how 
Music
we feel is part of self-care — and for the first time, they had the 
words and the visuals to explain how they were truly feeling.
Personal Prompts
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A Digital Shift: Delivering Regulation via Telehealth
ASI Wise and Sensory Project launched a series of interactive telehealth webinars in April 2020, in direct response to 
lockdown restrictions.
1 2 3
Teach the Theory Build Digitally Embed & Connect
Introduced therapists, teachers and Demonstrated how to create Helped clients embed sounds, images 
health professionals to the theory interactive, personalised ladders using and routines to reconnect with what 
behind Sensory Ladders. PowerPoint and accessible tools. regulated them.
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Giving Voice to Worries
When words were hard to find
For many people — especially children and adults with sensory Who Used Ladders to Understand Distress
integration differences, autism, learning disabilities, or trauma 
histories — the emotional impact of the pandemic was hard to express Carers
verbally. Sensory Ladders helped make the invisible visible.
Parents
Teachers
Families created ladders together, often for the first time — building 
new language to name sensations, feelings and needs. The process Therapists
itself fostered connection: an antidote to the isolation of lockdown.
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On the Frontlines: Regulation for Healthcare Professionals
Nurses, occupational therapists and doctors working on COVID-19 wards quietly began using ladders for their own 
emotional regulation — navigating grief, trauma and moral distress while supporting patients in their final hours without 
loved ones present.
☀ 👦 👦
Morning Ritual Supervision Tool Permission to Pause
A reflective tool to share in team 
A moment to check in with themselves Space to reflect and care for oneself in 
meetings and process what they 
before stepping onto the ward. an overwhelming time.
carried.
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Legacy and Learning
Carrying Sensory Ladders forward
2001 2006 2020 Today
First Sensory Ladder co-produced, Telehealth webinars bring ladders Embedded in schools, family life, 
Suite expands to include Sensory 
grounded in Ayres' Sensory to families and professionals mental health services and clinical 
Spiders and Sensory Grids.
Integration. worldwide during lockdown. practice globally.
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“How we feel matters — and naming, noticing, and nurturing those feelings is both valid and vital.”
Take the Next Step
Free Sensory Ladders Join the Community of 
Explore Training & CPD
Webinars Practice
Starter webinars remain available for Discover courses and professional Connect with therapists, teachers and 
anyone, anywhere, at any time. development opportunities. health professionals worldwide.
sensoryproject.org
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