Sensory triggers and tracking

Common triggers and a simple diary template to spot patterns and plan support.

3 min read

Last updated June 2026

Common sensory triggers

Noise, light, smells, textures, crowds, heat, hunger, tiredness, pain, clothing, toilets, food, sudden touch, unexpected change, too many instructions, social demands, waiting, transitions.

Trigger tracking — questions to ask

What happened before distress?
Where were they?
What sounds, lights or smells were present?
What clothes were they wearing?
Were they hungry or tired?
Was there a transition or demand?
What helped?
How long did recovery take?

Sensory diary template

Date:
Time:
Place:
What happened before?
Sensory triggers noticed:
Behaviour or response:
What helped:
How long recovery took:
What could we change next time?

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