How Cubbie works and the science behind targeted sensory regulation
Cubbie is a science-backed sensory regulation platform grounded in behavioural health science, occupational therapy (OT), and universal design. Cubbie delivers fast, personalised sensory regulation support helping individuals in any setting, from the classroom to career and beyond, feel calm and ready to engage.
What is sensory regulation?
Sensory regulation is the brain's ability to take in sensory information and respond to it appropriately. When someone is well-regulated, they can focus, manage transitions, and engage with what's around them. As OTs often note: you have to regulate to modulate, and modulate to participate. The ability to settle your sensory system is what makes it possible to take part in everything else, from a classroom lesson to a team meeting.
When sensory regulation is disrupted, a person may:
-
Become overwhelmed by everyday sounds, lights, or touch
-
Seek out intense sensory experiences
like spinning or crashing -
Struggle to sit still, concentrate, or follow instructions
-
Respond to sensory overload with distress, withdrawal, or challenging behaviour
When someone can't regulate, it often looks like a behaviour problem, but the behaviour is usually the result of an unmet sensory need, not the cause of it. Difficulty focusing, avoiding a task, or reacting strongly to a busy environment can all stem from sensory processing differences rather than choice or defiance. Understanding that difference matters: it changes the response from managing behaviour to meeting the underlying need and for many people this is a major factor in whether they can stay engaged in school, work, or their community, rather than being excluded from it.
The science of sensory regulation
Sensory integration theory
Sensory integration theory was developed by occupational therapist Dr A. Jean Ayres in the 1970s and remains the evidence base for sensory intervention in children. It describes how the brain receives, organises, and responds to sensory input, and what happens when this process is disrupted.
Cubbie's approach draws directly from this research. Every element of the system — the hub design, the sensory portrait® assessment, and the programme structure — is based on established sensory integration principles.
Sensory diets and the window of tolerance
A core concept in sensory regulation science is the "sensory diet", a structured set of sensory activities distributed throughout the day to help an individual maintain their optimal level of engagement.
The goal is to keep the person within their "window of tolerance", where they are calm, focused, and able to engage. Cubbie programmes are built around this principle, providing the right sensory input at the right time for each person.
Many of the schools we work with schedule several 5-minute Cubbie breaks for students throughout the day. They have discovered that these breaks allow students to engage in all class activities more purposefully and help them recognise when they need a Cubbie break.
Sensory regulation and behavioural health
The link between sensory processing and behaviour
Research consistently shows a strong relationship between sensory processing difficulties and behavioural challenges. People who struggle to regulate their sensory system are more likely to show:
-
Emotional dysregulation and meltdowns
-
Avoidance behaviours and school refusal
-
Difficulties with transitions and unexpected change
-
Aggression or self-injurious behaviour in response to sensory overload
Addressing sensory regulation doesn't just improve sensory responses; it reduces the behavioural challenges that put pressure on staff and resources. Schools across the UK and Ireland have noted an average 70% reduction in disruption and behavioural issues following Cubbie sessions.
Sensory support and mental health
There is growing evidence of the relationship between sensory processing differences and mental health outcomes. Children and young adults whose sensory needs go unmet are at greater risk of anxiety, low self-esteem, and social difficulties.
Early, targeted sensory intervention can significantly improve outcomes across all these areas and help individuals understand their sensory needs and build confidence. Cubbie is an early intervention SEND solution for schools, enabling them to support more students sooner, minimise disruption, and keep children in class. Cubbie provides staff with a safe, structured, evidence-based regulation tool that works from whole-school wellbeing through to complex SEND need.
How Cubbie supports inclusion across different settings
Healthcare
In hospital and clinical settings, where the environment can feel overwhelming and lead to anxiety and dsyregulation, Cubbie helps patients feel calm and regulate, resulting in better appointment outcomes. With Cubbie, healthcare providers are able to offer continuity of care and access to healthcare and support for everyone.
Workplace
Cubbie provides organisations with a practical wellbeing solution for employees experiencing anxiety, stress, or overwhelm in the workplace. By providing a dedicated safe space for individuals to retreat, regulate their nervous system, and decompress, Cubbie helps employees recover more quickly from sensory or emotional overload. This approach reduces the risk of burnout and boosts workplace productivity.
Community
Sensory overload, unpredictable environments, and busy crowds can quickly overwhelm children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, or anxiety, often cutting family outings short and leaving parents feeling isolated. In community settings such as libraries, shopping centres, leisure centres, and public venues, Cubbie helps make everyday activities and environments accessible for neurodiverse children and their families.
OT-designed sensory programmes
Why occupational therapy matters
OTs are the clinical specialists in sensory processing and sensory integration intervention. Cubbie's assessment tools, programme structures, and hub design have all been developed and reviewed by qualified OTs.
This means every school, hospital or clinic, workplace, and community setting using Cubbie is delivering intervention that reflects clinical best practice without needing an OT on staff.
From assessment to programme
The OT-designed approach ensures that the link between assessment (the sensory portrait®) and intervention (the sensory programme) is clinically sound. Experiences are not chosen at random; they are selected and sequenced based on what the evidence says works for each individual's sensory portrait®.
Delivering consistent sensory interventions
One of the biggest challenges in sensory intervention is consistency. What an OT recommends in a one-off session is often hard for non-specialist staff to deliver reliably.
Cubbie solves this by building the OT expertise into the system itself. Staff don't need to interpret clinical guidance; the programme tells them exactly what to do, when, and how.
Resources and insights
WORKSHOPS & WEBINARS
Our workshops and webinars aim to educate as many people as possible about sensory processing difficulties. We offer in-house workshops at your premises and open programs where we invite participants from various organisations to join us in combating the stigma and prejudice faced by those who need our support the most.
INDUSTRY EVENTS
We participate in several industry events throughout the year. As part of our commitment to ensuring no person is left behind, these industry events are key to ensuring we showcase our capabilities and spread the word. If you would like us to exhibit or talk at your event, please get in touch.
FOCUS GROUPS
We host quarterly focus groups that bring together parents, teachers, HR leaders, SEND specialists, and members of the neurodivergent community. These focus groups are essential for fostering innovation and ensuring that Cubbie continues to evolve and thrive for the long term.
CUBBIE CONNECT FORUMS
Join Our Inclusive Forums: Empowering Parents, Teachers, and Neurodivergent Communities At Cubbie, we bring together parents, teachers, and neurodivergent individuals to share challenges, develop ideas, and support each other. Purpose: Connect: Build a supportive network. Share: Exchange experiences. Innovate: Create solutions. Advocate: Promote acceptance. Why Join? Support: Community backing. Resources: Useful tools. Voice: Advocate for inclusion. Join us and make a difference!
Turing House School
Feedback from students using Cubbie has been excellent. They can now regulate and reset before school, coming to classes ready to learn and participate.
Galway University Hospital
Cubbie has been a fantastic addition to the playroom, especially for children with developmental needs. Children are able to settle and feel calm before visits, reducing distress and anxiety.
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.
Understanding sensory processing disorder: A silent struggle
Imagine living in a world where every sound feels like a roar, where the touch of clothing feels like sandpaper on your skin, or where bright lights seem like a constant, unbearable glare. This is the reality for individuals with SPD, a condition that remains largely misunderstood and
under-recognised.
How Cubbie supports inclusion across different settings
Healthcare
In hospital and clinical settings, where the environment can feel overwhelming and lead to anxiety and dsyregulation, Cubbie helps patients feel calm and regulate, resulting in better appointment outcomes. With Cubbie, healthcare providers are able to offer continuity of care and access to healthcare and support for everyone.
Workplace
Cubbie provides organisations with a practical wellbeing solution for employees experiencing anxiety, stress, or overwhelm in the workplace. By providing a dedicated safe space for individuals to retreat, regulate their nervous system, and decompress, Cubbie helps employees recover more quickly from sensory or emotional overload. This approach reduces the risk of burnout and boosts workplace productivity.
Community
Sensory overload, unpredictable environments, and busy crowds can quickly overwhelm children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, or anxiety, often cutting family outings short and leaving parents feeling isolated. In community settings such as libraries, shopping centres, leisure centres, and public venues, Cubbie helps make everyday activities and environments accessible for neurodiverse children and their families.
OT-designed sensory programmes
Why occupational therapy matters
OTs are the clinical specialists in sensory processing and sensory integration intervention. Cubbie's assessment tools, programme structures, and hub design have all been developed and reviewed by qualified OTs.
This means every school, hospital or clinic, workplace, and community setting using Cubbie is delivering intervention that reflects clinical best practice without needing an OT on staff.
From assessment to programme
The OT-designed approach ensures that the link between assessment (the sensory portrait®) and intervention (the sensory programme) is clinically sound. Experiences are not chosen at random; they are selected and sequenced based on what the evidence says works for each individual's sensory portrait®.
Delivering consistent sensory interventions
One of the biggest challenges in sensory intervention is consistency. What an OT recommends in a one-off session is often hard for non-specialist staff to deliver reliably.
Cubbie solves this by building the OT expertise into the system itself. Staff don't need to interpret clinical guidance; the programme tells them exactly what to do, when, and how.
84%
of Cubbie sessions result in a positive and regulated outcome
50%
of Cubbie users are regulated by the second session
75%
of Cubbie users are regulated by the sixth session
How Cubbie works and the science behind targeted sensory regulation
Cubbie is a science-backed sensory regulation platform grounded in behavioural health science, occupational therapy (OT), and universal design. Cubbie delivers fast, personalised sensory regulation support helping individuals in any setting, from the classroom to career and beyond, feel calm and ready to engage.
The lifelong impact of sensory
processing disorder: From childhood to adulthood
Explore the deeper impacts of SPD on individuals as they transition from childhood into adolescence and adulthood. Understanding the statistics and long-term effects can help in creating more effective support systems and raising awareness about this often-overlooked condition.
Ready to find out more about Cubbie and how it’s being used across different settings?
We're happy to share more about the research behind Cubbie and how it translates into outcomes for individuals in your setting, whether it be a school, clinic, hospital, office, or community space.
Want to solve your SEND and inclusion needs?
Get in touch with our Cubbie team
Whether you’re looking to improve attendance and participation, support inclusion and accessibility, or reduce the strain on staff capacity and resources, Cubbie is here to help you create inclusive spaces where everyone can regulate, participate, and thrive.
What is sensory regulation?
Sensory regulation is the brain's ability to take in sensory information and respond to it appropriately. When someone is well-regulated, they can focus, manage transitions, and engage with what's around them. As OTs often note: you have to regulate to modulate, and modulate to participate. The ability to settle your sensory system is what makes it possible to take part in everything else, from a classroom lesson to a team meeting.
When sensory regulation is disrupted, a person may:
-
Become overwhelmed by everyday sounds, lights, or touch
-
Seek out intense sensory experiences like spinning or crashing
-
Struggle to sit still, concentrate, or follow instructions
-
Respond to sensory overload with distress, withdrawal, or challenging behaviour
When someone can't regulate, it often looks like a behaviour problem, but the behaviour is usually the result of an unmet sensory need, not the cause of it. Difficulty focusing, avoiding a task, or reacting strongly to a busy environment can all stem from sensory processing differences rather than choice or defiance. Understanding that difference matters: it changes the response from managing behaviour to meeting the underlying need and for many people this is a major factor in whether they can stay engaged in school, work, or their community, rather than being excluded from it.
The science of sensory regulation
Sensory integration theory
Sensory integration theory was developed by occupational therapist Dr A. Jean Ayres in the 1970s and remains the evidence base for sensory intervention in children. It describes how the brain receives, organises, and responds to sensory input, and what happens when this process is disrupted.
Cubbie's approach draws directly from this research. Every element of the system — the hub design, the sensory portrait® assessment, and the programme structure — is based on established sensory integration principles.
Sensory diets and the window of tolerance
A core concept in sensory regulation science is the "sensory diet", a structured set of sensory activities distributed throughout the day to help an individual maintain their optimal level of engagement.
The goal is to keep the person within their "window of tolerance", where they are calm, focused, and able to engage. Cubbie programmes are built around this principle, providing the right sensory input at the right time for each person.
Many of the schools we work with schedule several 5-minute Cubbie breaks for students throughout the day. They have discovered that these breaks allow students to engage in all class activities more purposefully and help them recognise when they need a Cubbie break.
Sensory regulation and behavioural health
The link between sensory processing and behaviour
Research consistently shows a strong relationship between sensory processing difficulties and behavioural challenges. People who struggle to regulate their sensory system are more likely to show:
-
Emotional dysregulation and meltdowns
-
Avoidance behaviours and school refusal
-
Difficulties with transitions and unexpected change
-
Aggression or self-injurious behaviour in response to sensory overload
Addressing sensory regulation doesn't just improve sensory responses; it reduces the behavioural challenges that put pressure on staff and resources. Schools across the UK and Ireland have noted an average 70% reduction in disruption and behavioural issues following Cubbie sessions.
Sensory support and mental health
There is growing evidence of the relationship between sensory processing differences and mental health outcomes. Children and young adults whose sensory needs go unmet are at greater risk of anxiety, low self-esteem, and social difficulties.
Early, targeted sensory intervention can significantly improve outcomes across all these areas and help individuals understand their sensory needs and build confidence. Cubbie is an early intervention SEND solution for schools, enabling them to support more students sooner, minimise disruption, and keep children in class. Cubbie provides staff with a safe, structured, evidence-based regulation tool that works from whole-school wellbeing through to complex SEND need.
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.
Understanding sensory
processing disorder: A silent struggle
Imagine living in a world where every sound feels like a roar, where the touch of clothing feels like sandpaper on your skin, or where bright lights seem like a constant, unbearable glare. This is the reality for individuals with SPD, a condition that remains largely misunderstood and under-recognised.
The lifelong impact of sensory processing
disorder: From childhood to adulthood
Explore the deeper impacts of SPD on individuals as they transition from childhood into adolescence and adulthood. Understanding the statistics and long-term effects can help in creating more effective support systems and raising awareness about this often-overlooked condition.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Whether you’re looking to improve attendance and participation, support inclusion and accessibility, or reduce the strain on staff capacity and resources, Cubbie is here to help you create inclusive spaces where everyone can regulate, participate, and thrive.
Want to solve your SEND and inclusion needs?
Get in touch with our Cubbie team
