How Cubbie uses sensory portraits®
A sensory portrait® is a personalised profile of how a person processes sensory information. It maps their responses across multiple sensory systems, identifying whether they seek, avoid, or have mixed responses to different types of input. Cubbie uses this portrait to build a targeted and unique sensory programme for each person with the support of our team of occupational therapists (OTs).
What is a sensory portrait®?
Every person experiences the world differently. Some are overwhelmed by noise or touch. Others seek out intense movement or pressure. Most people are somewhere in between, with their own unique combination of sensory responses.
A sensory portrait® captures this complexity. It's not a diagnosis. It’s a practical map that tells staff exactly how to support an individual’s sensory regulation.
What does a sensory portrait® include?
Each sensory portrait® covers:
-
Sensory processing profile: how the person responds across eight sensory systems
-
Regulation patterns: when the person is most dysregulated and what triggers this
-
Preferred sensory inputs: what helps the person feel calm, focused, and ready to re-engage
-
Sensory diet recommendations: how much and what type of sensory input the person needs throughout the day
How is the sensory portrait® used?
Building a personalised sensory programme
The sensory portrait® doesn't just describe someone's sensory needs, it becomes a practical, day-to-day plan. Our OT team translates the portrait into a programme that identifies which Cubbie experience to use, when to use it, and how to use it. This is based on whether someone is sensory-seeking, sensory-avoiding, or somewhere in between.
This is what makes Cubbie work for everyone, in any setting: a pupil who needs to release energy before class gets a different experience to a colleague who needs a quiet reset before a meeting, or someone in a shopping centre who needs a break from crowds and noise. Same technology, built around the individual.
Tracking progress over time
Every Cubbie session is measured. Cubbie continuously assesses how each intervention is working, and if something isn’t resonating the way it should, our system flags it to the OT team, who adjust the programme accordingly.
Why sensory portraits® matter
Without an individual assessment, sensory support is guesswork. A person who appears to need a calming experience might actually need more sensory input. A person who seeks out movement might be under-stimulated, not poorly behaved.
Cubbie's sensory portrait® removes the guesswork. It gives every person a programme
and sensory experience that is based on their actual sensory needs.
Users complete a simple check-in before and after each session, so organisations can see how someone is feeling and how that changes over time. This builds a clear picture of impact, alongside other data like attendance, behaviour, and engagement.
For schools, multi-academy trusts, and local authorities, this matters beyond day-to-day support: it provides the clear, measurable evidence needed to meet SEND Reform requirements and Ofsted reporting. For healthcare providers and employers, the same data helps demonstrate impact to commissioners, boards, or wellbeing teams.
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
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 uses sensory portraits®
A sensory portrait® is a personalised profile of how a person processes sensory information. It maps their responses across multiple sensory systems, identifying whether they seek, avoid, or have mixed responses to different types of input. Cubbie uses this portrait to build a targeted and unique sensory programme for each person with the support of our team of occupational therapists (OTs).
What is a sensory portrait®?
Every person experiences the world differently. Some are overwhelmed by noise or touch. Others seek out intense movement or pressure. Most people are somewhere in between, with their own unique combination of sensory responses.
A sensory portrait® captures this complexity. It's not a diagnosis. It’s a practical map that tells staff exactly how to support an individual’s sensory regulation.
How is the sensory portrait® used?
Building a personalised sensory
programme
The sensory portrait® doesn't just describe someone's sensory needs, it becomes a practical, day-to-day plan. Our OT team translates the portrait into a programme that identifies which Cubbie experience to use, when to use it, and how to use it. This is based on whether someone is sensory-seeking, sensory-avoiding, or somewhere in between.
This is what makes Cubbie work for everyone, in any setting: a pupil who needs to release energy before class gets a different experience to a colleague who needs a quiet reset before a meeting, or someone in a shopping centre who needs a break from crowds and noise. Same technology, built around the individual.
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.
What does a sensory portrait® include?
Each sensory portrait® covers:
-
Sensory processing profile: how the person responds across eight sensory systems
-
Regulation patterns: when the person is most dysregulated and what triggers this
-
Preferred sensory inputs: what helps the person feel calm, focused, and ready to re-engage
-
Sensory diet recommendations: how much and what type of sensory input the person needs throughout the day
Why sensory portraits® matter
Without an individual assessment, sensory support is guesswork. A person who appears to need a calming experience might actually need more sensory input. A person who seeks out movement might be under-stimulated, not poorly behaved.
Cubbie's sensory portrait® removes the guesswork. It gives every person a programme and sensory experience that is based on their actual sensory needs.
Users complete a simple check-in before and after each session, so organisations can see how someone is feeling and how that changes over time. This builds a clear picture of impact, alongside other data like attendance, behaviour, and engagement.
For schools, multi-academy trusts, and local authorities, this matters beyond day-to-day support: it provides the clear, measurable evidence needed to meet SEND Reform requirements and Ofsted reporting. For healthcare providers and employers, the same data helps demonstrate impact to commissioners, boards, or wellbeing teams.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to learn more about sensory portraits® in practice and how Cubbie supports SEND?
Talk to us about how sensory portraits® work in practice and how Cubbie supports your staff to use them effectively.
Resources and insights
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.
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!
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
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.
