What is Sensory Attachment Intervention?
Sensory Attachment Intervention (SAI) is an approach designed to help children develop the sensory and emotional foundations they need to feel safe, regulated and able to engage in everyday life. It focuses on the relationship between a child’s sensory processing and their attachment system, recognising that difficulties in either area can affect behaviour, regulation, learning and participation.
SAI explores how a child responds to sensory input and how these responses link to feelings of safety, comfort, stress or overwhelm. Through carefully chosen sensory motor activities, environmental adjustments and co-regulation with a trusted adult, the intervention helps to build the child’s capacity to stay calm, organise their emotions and connect with others.
Children who struggle with regulation, trauma histories, emotional overwhelm or sensory processing difficulties often benefit from an approach that integrates both sensory and relational needs. SAI helps them develop the foundations required for attention, learning, social participation and the ability to manage everyday challenges.
It also supports parents and carers, giving them practical ways to recognise what their child needs in the moment and how to respond in a way that promotes safety, trust and connection.
Why Sensory Intervention Attachent is helpful
What Sensory Intervention Attachment involves
- Understanding how a child’s sensory processing affects their regulation and attachment needs
- Identifying triggers that lead to distress, shutdown or overwhelm
- Using sensory motor activities to support a calmer, more regulated state
- Strengthening co-regulation between the child and their parent or carer
- Creating predictable routines and environments that help the child feel safe
- Supporting the development of emotional awareness and connection
Why families choose OT4me for Occupational Therapy
Calmer days at home and school
Children learn regulation strategies through play-based sensory integration therapy, helping them manage overwhelm and build confidence in daily life.
Growing skills and independence
From handwriting and self-care to social interaction, tailored OT sessions target the skills that matter most for your child’s success at school and beyond.
Parents who feel supported
We empower families with practical tools, expert guidance, and ongoing communication, so you feel confident and never alone on the journey.
Advocacy and expert statements
Whether it's school support, EHCPs, or tribunal input, our experienced therapists provide trusted assessments and reports to ensure your child's needs are recognised and met.
Client Testimonials
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3 simple steps to get started
Step 1: Book a free call with an OT
Your first step is simple: book a free 30-minute call with an occupational therapist to talk about your child's needs.
Step 2: Personalised therapy plan
We listen to your concerns, complete assessments where needed, and design a tailored plan of therapy sessions and strategies for home and school.
Step 3: Progress you can see
Watch your child grow in confidence, independence, and regulation - while you feel supported with clear tools, guidance, and hope for the future.
FAQs
1. What issues do you commonly help with?
At OT4me, we support babies, toddlers, children, teens, and young adults who need extra help to overcome barriers and reach their full potential. Many of the children we work with experience burnout, mental health challenges, school non-attendance, sensory processing difficulties, or developmental differences.
We provide comprehensive, tailored assessments and therapy, delivered in our clinic, at home, in preschool or school settings, or through group sessions. Our aim is to help each child build confidence, develop independence, and achieve their goals, creating opportunities that have a lasting impact.
We also focus on helping children become school ready, ensuring they have the emotional, social, and practical foundations to succeed in education and daily life. Families and professionals benefit from our training sessions, which cover topics such as sensory integration awareness, play development, and readiness for school, empowering them to provide effective support.
2. How does OT4me differ from the NHS?
The NHS provides excellent free resources and advice, but families often face long waiting lists and limited hands-on support. At OT4me, we offer more than fast access. We provide a personalised, hands-on approach designed to empower each child’s unique strengths, help them overcome barriers, and build long-term confidence and independence.
You benefit from:
Assessments within 4–6 weeks (not months)
A practical, tailored treatment plan for your child
Specialist expertise in sensory integration, mental health, trauma, and attachment work
Evidence-based practice, applying the latest emerging research
Specialist OT groups in areas such as social participation and feeding support
Ongoing family support through therapeutic parent coaching
Access to our free monthly Ask the Expert groups, where parents and carers can learn and ask questions
Clinical leadership, including co-facilitation of Mental Health & Sensory Training Workshops with ASI WISE, an internationally recognised UK training provider of Ayres Sensory Integration®
3. What does the journey from assessment to discharge look like?
Our structured pathway typically spans 6–8 months, creating opportunities for lasting progress and independence. It may include:
A comprehensive assessment of your child’s needs, strengths, and environment
Tailored treatment such as sensory integration therapy, interoception training, handwriting support, sleep strategies, positive behaviour approaches, Sensory Attachment Intervention, aquatic therapy, Theraplay, environmental audits, and more
Specialist OT groups focusing on social participation and feeding skills
Therapeutic parent coaching, giving you practical tools to support progress at home
Regular reviews to ensure strategies are embedded in daily life, building confidence, independence, and long-term outcomes
4. Why is OT4me considered a worthwhile investment?
Families choose OT4me because we offer more than short-term therapy. We provide specialist, evidence-based interventions that create lasting positive change:
Specialist services in sensory integration, mental health, trauma, and attachment work
Use of the latest research-informed approaches
Internationally recognised clinical leadership, with team members co-facilitating training through ASI WISE (a UK and international provider of Ayres Sensory Integration® training)
Support to help children become school ready, building the skills to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally
A holistic approach combining direct therapy, group interventions, parent coaching, and school input
Free monthly Ask the Expert groups, giving families ongoing guidance and empowerment
This combination ensures every child receives care that celebrates their uniqueness, helps them overcome barriers, and builds the foundations for life-long confidence.
5. Do you offer continued support after diagnosis?
Yes. Beyond therapy, OT4me continues to support families with:
Hands-on post-diagnostic support, tailored for children, teenagers, and young adults
Therapeutic parent coaching, giving parents and carers practical strategies they can use every day
Free monthly Ask the Expert groups, covering sensory needs, emotional regulation, sleep, school strategies, and more
Support with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and ongoing liaison with schools
Opportunities to join specialist OT groups, such as social participation and feeding, offering targeted, peer-supported progress
This continued support ensures children and young people gain confidence, operate more independently, and achieve positive long-term outcomes.
6. Do you work with local authorities, schools, or businesses?
Yes. In addition to supporting families directly, OT4me partners with professionals and organisations to create opportunities for children and young people to thrive in education and later in the workplace:
EHCP assessments, reports, and ongoing support to ensure children’s needs are clearly identified and met in education
Specialist occupational therapy for children and families post-adoption and within foster services, delivered as a registered Adoption Support Fund provider
Tailored assessments, therapy, and training delivered directly within schools and colleges through individual contracts with education providers
Sensory environment audits for businesses and workplaces, helping employers design inclusive spaces that promote wellbeing, focus, and productivity.