What is smart, personalised sensory wellbeing?
What is smart, personalised sensory wellbeing?
What is sensory wellbeing?
Sensory wellbeing refers to the state of feeling comfortable, balanced, and positively engaged through our senses. It’s the idea that how we experience our sensory environment affects our mental, emotional, and physical health.
The four sensory types
Our brains filter sensory input, too much stimulation can lead to stress and overwhelm, and too little can lead to boredom and disengagement. Optimal sensory input keeps us in a regulated and focused state.
Occupational therapist (OT) Winne Dunn’s research into sensory processing identified four different sensory types that make up the spectrum:
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Bystander: The brain needs a lot of input to register things, and the person doesn't actively look for more input.
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Seeker: The brain needs a lot of input, and the person actively goes out and gets it, often leading to overstimulation.
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Sensor: The brain triggers on very little input, but the person doesn't do much to avoid it, they just experience it, often negatively.
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Avoider: The brain triggers on very little input, and the person actively works to limit or escape stimulation before it overwhelms them.
The four sensory types
Our brains filter sensory input, too much stimulation can lead to stress and overwhelm, and too little can lead to boredom and disengagement. Optimal sensory input keeps us in a regulated and focused state.
Occupational therapist (OT) Winne Dunn’s research into sensory processing identified four different sensory types that make up the spectrum:
-
Bystander: The brain needs a lot of input to register things, and the person doesn't actively look for more input.
-
Seeker: The brain needs a lot of input, and the person actively goes out and gets it, often leading to overstimulation.
-
Sensor: The brain triggers on very little input, but the person doesn't do much to avoid it, they just experience it, often negatively.
-
Avoider: The brain triggers on very little input, and the person actively works to limit or escape stimulation before it overwhelms them.
Sensory regulation and wellbeing: Why personalisation matters
Personalisation and individualisation are critical when it comes to sensory wellbeing. Each sensory type on the spectrum needs a different environment to bring them back to a state of regulation.
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An Avoider needs environmental reduction strategies
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A Seeker needs environmental enrichment
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A Sensor needs awareness and pacing strategies
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A Bystander needs alerting strategies
Sensory regulation and wellbeing: Why personalisation matters
Personalisation and individualisation are critical when it comes to sensory wellbeing.
Each sensory type on the spectrum needs a different environment to bring them back to a state of regulation.
-
An Avoider needs environmental reduction strategies
-
A Seeker needs environmental enrichment
-
A Sensor needs awareness and pacing strategies
-
A Bystander needs alerting strategies
The science behind Cubbie
Cubbie is an early intervention sensory wellbeing and regulation solution that uses sensory portraits® to create the right experience for each individual. Cubbie is designed to be a blank canvas that individuals can personalise to create the environment they need to regulate. It works for all sensory types as well as people with autism, ADHD, and anxiety.
By using sensory portraits® and OT-designed programmes, we can match the sensory experience to different sensory types to effectively regulate individuals. Because of this, Cubbie is adaptive in the moment, tailoring and individualising the experience to the needs.
The science behind Cubbie
Cubbie is an early intervention sensory wellbeing and regulation solution that uses sensory portraits® to create the right experience for each individual. Cubbie is designed to be a blank canvas that individuals can personalise to create the environment they need to regulate. It works for all sensory types as well as people with autism, ADHD, and anxiety.
By using sensory portraits® and OT-designed programmes, we can match the sensory experience to different sensory types to effectively regulate individuals. Because of this, Cubbie is adaptive in the moment, tailoring and individualising the experience to the needs.
The benefits of Cubbie for individuals, staff, and services
Reduction in disruption and behavioural issues
Increase in attendance
and participation
Increase in time regained
for staff and teams
Delivers targeted, individualised, and effective sensory experiences for everyone
Provides a standardised and consistent solution that adapts to the environment
Reduction in disruption and behavioural issues
Increase in time regained
for staff and teams
Increase in attendance
and participation
Provides a standardised and consistent solution that adapts to the environment
Delivers targeted, individualised, and effective sensory experiences for everyone
Resources and insights
An independent impact analysis from the University of Galway
We partnered with the University of Galway to independently analyse how users engage with Cubbie, and how their emotional states shift before and after each session. The research uncovered four key findings, including that 75% of Cubbie users are regulated by their sixth session.
The alarming shift: Sensory rooms are becoming exclusion spaces
Without OT expertise, sensory rooms often become holding spaces rather than regulation tools. See how Cubbie's OT-led approach helps pupils self-regulate in 10 minutes and supports schools navigating the 2026 SEND reforms.
SEND strategy guide for schools in England
A £4 billion SEND overhaul is reshaping what inclusion looks like in UK schools. Whether you're a headteacher, SENCO, or teaching assistant, discover what the reforms mean for your role — and how Cubbie helps schools deliver on the DfE's seven principles of inclusion.
Resources and insights
Want to solve your SEND and inclusion needs? Get in touch with our Cubbie team
Whether you’re improving inclusion and accessibility in schools, fostering workplace wellbeing, or supporting a community that embraces everyone, Cubbie is here to help you create inclusive spaces where everyone can regulate, participate, and thrive.
An independent impact analysis from the University of Galway
We partnered with the University of Galway to independently analyse how users engage with Cubbie, and how their emotional states shift before and after each session. The research uncovered four key findings, including that 75% of Cubbie users are regulated by their sixth session.
SEND strategy guide for schools in England
A £4 billion SEND overhaul is reshaping what inclusion looks like in UK schools. Whether you're a headteacher, SENCO, or teaching assistant, discover what the reforms mean for your role — and how Cubbie helps schools deliver on the DfE's seven principles of inclusion.
