Free Sensory Checklist PDF for Australian Families
Our most popular resource — a comprehensive, OT-informed sensory checklist PDF covering all 7 sensory systems, signs by age, 30 activity ideas, and a product starter checklist.
Free Sensory Checklist for Parents
Download our expert-compiled checklist of signs to watch for, plus top tool recommendations for each sensory system.
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What's Inside the Sensory Checklist PDF
We created this checklist because the single most common question we receive from Australian parents is: "How do I know if my child has sensory processing differences?" The checklist gives you a practical, structured way to observe and document your child's sensory responses — which is invaluable whether you're preparing for an OT assessment or simply trying to understand what's going on.
The checklist is formatted for easy printing and has been designed for parents, not clinicians — clear language, no jargon, and immediately practical.
All 7 Sensory Systems
Observation checklists for each sensory system — tactile, visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, vestibular, and proprioceptive — with specific signs to look for in your child.
Signs by Age Group
Age-specific behavioural indicators for babies, toddlers, and school-age children. Because sensory signs look different at different developmental stages.
30 Sensory Activity Ideas
A curated list of 30 sensory regulation activities organised by sensory system and alerting/calming effect — ready to incorporate into your child's daily routine.
Sensory Diet Starter Schedule
A sample daily sensory diet schedule template you can adapt to your child's routine, with spaces to customise based on your OT's recommendations.
Product Starter Checklist
A curated list of the most useful sensory tools for Australian families to consider — with notes on what each tool is most suited for and where to find it in Australia.
What to Bring to Your OT Assessment
A section to complete before your first OT appointment — documenting your observations, your child's sensory triggers, and the questions you want answered.
Who is This Checklist For?
This checklist is designed for:
- Parents who suspect their child may have sensory processing differences but aren't sure where to start
- Families who are on a waitlist for an OT assessment and want to begin observing and documenting in the meantime
- Parents who already have an OT diagnosis and are looking for practical home strategies to complement therapy
- Early childhood educators and school teachers who want to better understand and support sensory-sensitive children in their care
- Grandparents, carers, and extended family members who want to understand what a sensory-sensitive child in their family experiences
How to Use the Sensory Checklist
The most effective way to use the checklist is to observe your child across different environments over one to two weeks, ticking the items you observe and making notes in the spaces provided. Environments that are particularly revealing include: the home during routine activities (dressing, mealtimes, bathtime), outdoor settings (playgrounds, beaches, grass areas), and high-stimulation environments (shopping centres, birthday parties, school canteens).
Once completed, the checklist provides a structured summary of your observations that you can share directly with an OT, paediatrician, or school learning support team. Many families find that having their observations documented in this way significantly speeds up the assessment process and helps professionals understand their child's presentation more quickly.
The activity ideas and product checklist sections are designed to be useful regardless of whether you have received a formal assessment — these are general sensory regulation strategies that are appropriate for most children and can be started immediately.
Important Note
This checklist is an observational tool for parents — it is not a diagnostic instrument and should not be used to self-diagnose sensory processing disorder. If your checklist reveals significant sensory challenges that are affecting your child's daily functioning, wellbeing, or participation, we strongly encourage you to seek a formal assessment from a paediatric occupational therapist. Your GP can provide a referral, and you may be eligible for Medicare rebates through a Chronic Disease Management Plan. Read our guide on what is sensory processing disorder for more information on the Australian assessment pathway.
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