Does your child find loud noises, certain clothing textures, busy environments or changes in routine difficult? Or do sensory experiences affect your own comfort, concentration and daily activities?
At Healing Pathways NT (HPNT), our occupational therapists provide individualised sensory processing assessments for children, adolescents and adults across Darwin and Palmerston.
We identify sensory preferences, processing differences and their impact on everyday participation, providing practical recommendations for home, school, work and community environments.
Sensory Profiles | Functional Assessments | Practical Recommendations
Two clinic locations: Larrakeyah and Zuccoli. Home and school assessments by arrangement.
When Can a Sensory Assessment Help?
Sensory differences affect how people experience and respond to information from their environment and body.
A sensory assessment can help identify the factors contributing to difficulties with:
- Sounds and busy environments: Noise, crowds, classrooms or shopping centres.
- Touch and textures: Clothing, grooming, hair washing, food textures or physical contact.
- Movement and body awareness: Balance, movement preferences, coordination and body positioning.
- Emotional and sensory regulation: Responses to overwhelming environments and transitions.
- Daily living skills: Dressing, eating, personal care, sleep routines and household activities.
- Learning and participation: Attention, play, school activities, work and social environments.
Our assessments focus on understanding these experiences and how they influence meaningful daily activities.
What Is an Occupational Therapy Sensory Assessment?
A sensory assessment examines how a person notices, processes and responds to sensory information, including sound, touch, vision, movement, taste, smell and body awareness.
Our occupational therapists combine clinical interviews, observation, functional assessment and age-appropriate standardised measures where indicated.
Assessment considers the individual's strengths, sensory preferences, daily routines, environmental demands and existing supports.
The purpose is to understand how sensory processing influences participation, identify relevant support needs and recommend practical adjustments.
What Will Your Sensory Assessment Report Include?
Our occupational therapy sensory assessment reports provide clinically relevant findings and individualised recommendations.
Reports address:
1. Sensory Processing Profile
Identified sensory preferences, patterns and differences, supported by relevant assessment findings.
2. Developmental or Normative Comparison
Where applicable, standardised results are interpreted against the assessment's age-appropriate reference data.
3. Functional Impact
How identified sensory differences affect self-care, school, learning, emotional regulation, work, community access and other daily activities.
4. Level of Support Required
The assistance, environmental adjustments, routines or strategies required to support participation.
5. Practical Recommendations
Individualised strategies for the client, family, carers, educators or other relevant supports.
Recommendations are linked to the assessment findings and agreed functional goals.
How Does the Assessment Work?
Step 1 — Referral and Information Gathering
Complete our referral form and describe the sensory concerns, everyday difficulties and goals you want assessed.
We review relevant background information and identify the assessment requirements.
Step 2 — Occupational Therapy Assessment
Our occupational therapist completes appropriate sensory and functional assessments.
This includes clinical observation, interviews and standardised tools where indicated. Information from family members, educators or other professionals is obtained with appropriate consent.
Step 3 — Report and Recommendations
We interpret the assessment findings and prepare the agreed documentation, explaining identified sensory needs, functional impacts and recommended strategies.
Findings can inform future occupational therapy, environmental adjustments and coordinated supports.
Sensory Assessments for Children, Adolescents and Adults
Paediatric Sensory Assessments
We assess how sensory processing affects children's play, learning, emotional regulation, self-care and everyday routines.
Our family-centred approach considers the child's developmental stage, individual strengths and the environments in which they participate.
Autism, ADHD and Developmental Needs
Sensory differences are commonly reported by autistic people and people with ADHD or other developmental disabilities.
Our assessments focus on the person's individual sensory experiences, environmental barriers and functional needs rather than diagnosis alone.
Adolescent and Adult Sensory Assessments
We also assess sensory processing difficulties affecting daily routines, work, study, personal care and community participation.
Recommendations are tailored to the person's priorities, environment and independence goals.
NDIS Sensory Assessments and Private Funding
Occupational therapy sensory assessments can form part of eligible NDIS therapy supports when clinically relevant to the person's disability-related needs, goals and approved funding.
HPNT also accepts enquiries for privately funded sensory assessments.
Our team can discuss assessment requirements, funding arrangements and report needs before booking.
Our Sensory Assessment Clinics
Healing Pathways NT operates two occupational therapy clinics across Greater Darwin.
Larrakeyah Clinic — Darwin
2 Kahlin Avenue Larrakeyah NT 0820
Zuccoli Clinic — Palmerston
Zuccoli Plaza, Shop 4A 2 Crosby Street Zuccoli NT
Both clinics operate by appointment.
Home, school and community-based assessments are arranged according to clinical requirements and service availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sensory profile assessment?
A sensory profile assessment examines patterns in how a person responds to sensory information and how these patterns affect everyday functioning. Occupational therapists interpret the findings alongside clinical observations and functional information.
Does a sensory assessment diagnose autism or ADHD?
No. A sensory assessment identifies sensory processing patterns and their functional impact. It does not establish an autism or ADHD diagnosis.
Does my child need a diagnosis to access a sensory assessment?
No formal diagnosis is required to enquire about or access a privately funded occupational therapy sensory assessment. NDIS funding requirements are considered separately.
Can sensory assessments help with emotional regulation?
A sensory assessment can identify sensory and environmental factors that influence regulation and daily participation. Recommendations can include environmental adjustments, routines and individualised regulation strategies.
Do you assess adults as well as children?
Yes. HPNT provides occupational therapy sensory assessments for children, adolescents and adults, with assessment methods selected according to individual requirements.
Request a Sensory Assessment in Darwin or Palmerston
A clearer understanding of sensory needs starts with an individualised assessment.
Healing Pathways NT welcomes referrals from clients, parents, carers, support coordinators, educators and health professionals.
Make a Sensory Assessment Referral
Phone: 0466 998 324
Email: admin@hpnt.com.au
Healing Pathways NT — Your journey. Infinite pathways.