Map of sensory needs:
what is it for and how to use it?
Complete presentation of the DYNSEO tool, detailed structure, and concrete usage modes to identify the sensory profile of autistic individuals and adapt the environment accordingly
Sensory processing disorders are present in 90% of autistic individuals — yet they remain one of the least understood and least accommodated dimensions in school, family, and professional environments. The DYNSEO map of sensory needs is the tool that changes this: it translates the unique sensory profile of each person into a shareable, actionable document that is understandable by all referring adults. This complete guide presents the tool, its structure, and how to use it in each context.
1. The 7 senses and sensory processing disorders in autism
Contrary to what is taught in school, humans have not 5 but 7 sensory systems — and all can present particularities in ASD.
Vision
Sensitivity to bright lights, neon, reflections, peripheral movements
Hearing
Hypersensitivity to loud, unpredictable, or overlapping noises. Often the most impactful.
Smell
Intense reactivity to ordinary smells (perfume, food, household products)
Taste / Oral touch
Food selectivity related to textures and flavors — link with defensive oral behavior
Touch
Tactile hypersensitivity (tags, textiles, unsolicited contact) or conversely seeking pressure
Vestibular
Processing of balance and movement — seeking rocking or easy dizziness
Proprioception
Sense of body in space — seeking deep pressure (weighted blankets, tight hugs)
2. The DYNSEO map of sensory needs: structure and content
📋 At a glance
Format: Downloadable, printable PDF · Cost: Free · Access: Immediate · Structure: Profile by sense (hyper/hypo/neutral) + identified triggers + adapted strategies · Users: Speech therapists, occupational therapists, families, teachers, specialized teams
2.1 Example of a completed map — 8-year-old child with level 1 ASD
📋 Example of a sensory needs map (excerpt)
🔴 Hypersensitivities (avoids)
- Unpredictable loud noises (alarms)
- Flashing neon lights
- Unanticipated tactile contacts
- Smells of hot food
🔵 Hyposensitivities (seeks)
- Deep pressure (weighted blanket)
- Rhythmic rocking
- Textured surfaces to touch
- Loud music with headphones
🟡 Overload triggers
- School cafeteria (combination of sounds+smells)
- Recess (unpredictable noises)
- Gymnasium (reverberation)
- Transport (crowd + noises)
💙 Adapted strategies
- Noise-canceling headphones in the cafeteria
- Seat with back to the wall in class
- Sensory object in the backpack
- 2-minute early exit
Map of sensory needs — Free DYNSEO
Tool for mapping the sensory profile of ASD — identify hypersensitivities, hyposensitivities, and adapt the environment to prevent overloads. Immediately downloadable. No registration required.
Download for free →3. Who is the map of sensory needs for?
🏥 Speech therapists / Occupational therapists
Clinical evaluation tool and communication with families and teams. Starting point for any sensory accommodation.
👨👩👧 Families
Understand their child's profile, adapt the home environment, and communicate effectively with the school.
🏫 Teachers / Aides
Know the school triggers and implement appropriate accommodations without specialized training.
🏥 IME / SESSAD teams
Reference document shared among all stakeholders for consistency in accommodations.
4. How to fill out and use the map
Observe for 2 weeks before filling out
The map is more accurate when based on documented observations rather than impressions. Note each sensory reaction for 2 weeks (time, context, stimulus, reaction) before filling out the map.
Co-construct with the person when possible
For verbal individuals, explore the map together: "How do you feel in the cafeteria?" Their direct descriptions are the most valuable. For non-verbal profiles, cross-reference parental, school, and clinical observations.
Distinguish hyper and hypo for each sense
The same child can be hypersensitive to noise AND hyposensitive to proprioception — which explains why they cover their ears AND seek to rock. The map documents both dimensions, not just one or the other.
Define concrete strategies for each trigger
For each identified hypersensitivity, the map must include a concrete accommodation strategy (what object, what adjustment, what procedure). A map without associated strategies is not usable on a daily basis.
Distribute and train all referring adults
The map is only valuable if it is read and applied by everyone. Schedule a 15-minute time with each new referring adult to present the map and answer questions.
Tip: Laminate the map and fix a version in each key living space — child's desk, teacher's desk, care room. Permanent visibility reminds of accommodations even in the heat of the moment.
5. The DYNSEO Autism & ASD ecosystem
🧰 Complementary DYNSEO tools — Autism & ASD
Alert signals map — Free complementary tool
The map of sensory needs identifies the sensory profile; the alert signals map identifies behaviors that signal an impending overload. Together, they cover complete crisis prevention.
Access the alert signals map →MON DICO Application
MON DICO complements the map for non-verbal profiles — expressing sensory needs through pictograms.
Cognitive tests
The DYNSEO cognitive tests objectify attention functions related to sensory processing.
Training
The DYNSEO training Qualiopi covers autism, sensory integration, and environmental adjustments.
“The DYNSEO map of sensory needs has transformed my practice. Before, I verbally described each patient's profile to every interlocutor. Now, I hand over the map — and the conversation can go directly to solutions.”
— Freelance occupational therapist specialized in ASD and sensory integrationMaking the sensory world of each person visible and understandable
The DYNSEO map of sensory needs is the tool that bridges the internal experience of the autistic person and the understanding of their surroundings. Simple, free, immediately usable — to transform every environment into a more welcoming space.
Download for free →Alert signals map
FAQ — Sensory Needs Map
Q1 Is the sensory needs map useful for autistic people without apparent sensory difficulties?
Yes — sensory difficulties in autism are not always visible. Many autistic people develop "masking" strategies that hide their sensory difficulties from outside observers — at the cost of considerable cognitive and emotional effort. Filling out the map with them often reveals difficulties that those around them had not detected. Even for profiles without major sensory difficulties, the map is useful for documenting positive sensory preferences (which stimuli are appreciated) that can be used as regulation tools.
Q2 Should the map be filled out by a professional or can parents do it on their own?
Parents can absolutely fill out the map — and their perspective is valuable as they observe their child in many different contexts. Ideally, the map is co-constructed between parents and professionals (occupational therapist or speech therapist), combining daily observations with clinical expertise. For complex profiles or significant accommodation decisions (PAP, PPS), a professional evaluation of the sensory profile gives more weight to the recommendations. The DYNSEO map can be used as a starting point for a discussion with the professional.
Q3 How to update the map when the sensory profile evolves?
The sensory profile evolves with development, maturation, and learning. For children, review the map every 6 months and at each significant transition (back to school, change of living context). For adults, an annual review or after any significant life change (new job, relocation, parenthood) is appropriate. Also note that the profile can fluctuate in the short term depending on levels of fatigue and stress — the map describes the baseline profile, not daily variations.
Q4 How to convince an employer to use the sensory needs map for an autistic adult?
Present the map as a performance tool, not a disability tool: "These accommodations allow [name] to work under the best conditions and be more productive." Reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities are mandatory under French law for companies with more than 20 employees. The RQTH (Recognition of the Quality of Disabled Worker) entitles one to these accommodations. The occupational doctor is the key contact to formalize the accommodations based on the map.
Q5 Does the sensory needs map only cover ASD or can it be used for other profiles?
The map is designed for ASD but applicable to any profile with sensory processing differences: HPI/HPE profiles (high potential) that often exhibit sensory hypersensitivity; DYS profiles with visual-spatial or auditory differences; genetic syndromes (Down syndrome, Williams syndrome, etc.); individuals with anxiety disorders exhibiting sensory hypervigilance; and neurodivergent adults who discover their sensory profile later in life. The structure of the map (7 senses, hyper/hypo, triggers, strategies) is universally applicable.
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