How Sensana Supports ALPIMS Domains (Expanded Teaching Version)
Anxiety
- Sensana Contribution: Grounding techniques, reducing cognitive demand, zone check-ins
- Teaching Points:
- Encourage zone awareness to identify early signs of overwhelm.
- Use grounding tools such as textured objects, breath practices, or rhythmic movement.
- Reduce decision fatigue with visual schedules, “choose not chase” menus, or permission to pause.
- Examples:
- “Place a stone in your palm and describe it with all your senses.”
- “Let’s do a zone check-in before we choose the next activity.”
Laxity
- Sensana Contribution: Gentle body care, adaptive tools, low-pressure movement practices
- Teaching Points:
- Recognise joint instability and fatigue as part of the care picture.
- Promote movement practices that prioritise alignment, support, and pacing.
- Use adaptive equipment without shame—function over form.
- Examples:
- Use shower chairs, braces, soft shoes, or compression wear.
- “Seated stretching and pillow-supported rest count as movement.”
Pain
- Sensana Contribution: MES (Minimal Effective Strategy), pacing, sensory minimisation, safe postures
- Teaching Points:
- Teach how to identify flare triggers and switch to MES tasks.
- Model non-judgemental pacing, allowing rest before pain escalates.
- Offer body-safe spaces with adjustable seating, soft fabrics, and quiet.
- Examples:
- “Today we’ll do the 25% version of the task—just starting it is a win.”
- “This space has dim lighting and a recliner to support pain reduction.”
Immune
- Sensana Contribution: Low-toxin living, flare-responsive food tools, rest prioritisation
- Teaching Points:
- Reduce exposure to environmental stressors (fragrance, cleaning chemicals).
- Support food safety routines (zone-matched meals, reheat-safe kits).
- Normalise rest as immune care, not laziness.
- Examples:
- “Let’s prepare a Red Zone snack kit for when flares hit.”
- “In this space, we avoid strong scents and use air purifiers.”
Mood
- Sensana Contribution: Daily rhythm, emotional permission, co-regulation scripts
- Teaching Points:
- Provide predictable rhythms (gentle wake, midday reset, evening wind-down).
- Teach emotional expression that honours shutdown, irritability, or grief without shame.
- Model co-regulation, such as silent companionship or shared breathing.
- Examples:
- “We don’t have to ‘fix’ sad days—we can just name them and sit with them.”
- “You can use the phrase ‘I’m in yellow’ instead of explaining emotions.”
Sensory
Sensana Contribution: Customised environments, weighted items, calming inputs
Teaching Points:
Acknowledge sensory profiles—hypersensitive or hyposensitive.
Adjust inputs: light, sound, smell, texture, movement.
Offer weighted or textured tools for safety and grounding.
“Let’s use a weighted wrap while we do our check-in.”
Examples:
“Here’s a quiet corner with dim lights and noise-cancelling headphones.”
Here is a resource list to support your expanded Sensana teaching guide across ALPIMS domains. These include books, websites, tools, and sensory aids to help explain, implement, and reinforce the Sensana contributions in each domain:
🧠 Anxiety – Grounding, Reducing Cognitive Demand, Zone Check-Ins
Resources:
- Books:
- The Anxiety Skills Workbook by Stefan Hofmann – stepwise anxiety management with body-based tools
- My Anxious Mind by Michael Tompkins – teen/adult accessible CBT strategies
- Websites:
- TherapistAid.com – printable grounding worksheets and visual tools
- Anxiety Canada – practical tips and zone-based coping
- Sensory Tools:
- Texture kits (velvet, smooth stone, silicone brush)
- Calm Strips or fidget stones
- Printable zone check-in cards (customisable)
🤸♀️ Laxity – Joint Support, Adaptive Tools, Low-Pressure Movement
Resources:
- Books:
- Disjointed by Diana Jovin (EDS resource with adaptations)
- Yoga for Hypermobility by Jess Glenny – safe movement for joint instability
- Websites:
- The Ehlers-Danlos Society – downloadable care sheets
- Curable App – pacing and pain education
- Tools:
- Tubular compression bandages, joint braces, shower seats
- Seated movement videos: LoveYourBrain or Chair Yoga YouTube series
🔥 Pain – MES, Pacing, Safe Postures
Resources:
- Books:
- The Pain Management Workbook by Rachel Zoffness
- Explain Pain by Lorimer Moseley & David Butler
- Websites:
- Flare Space Guide (PDF) – symptom trackers and pacing
- Pain Revolution – educational pacing tools
- Sensana Tools:
- MES planning cards (100%/25%/1% task versions)
- Pacing boards, floor cushions, soft clothing layers
- Sensory-modified workspaces (low light, quiet)
🛡️ Immune – Low Toxin, Food, Rest Supports
Resources:
- Books:
- The Eczema Detox by Karen Fischer – accessible RPAH principles
- Anti-Inflammatory Eating Made Easy by Michelle Babb
- Websites:
- RPAH Allergy Unit – official elimination diet guidelines
- LowHistamineChef – recipe ideas for MCAS
- Tools:
- Portable HEPA air purifier (e.g., IQAir Atem, Levoit)
- Food zone log sheets + Red Zone food kit template
- No-scent laundry and cleaning product recommendations (Koala Eco Unscented, Abode)
🌧️ Mood – Rhythm, Emotional Permission, Co-Regulation
Resources:
- Books:
- Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett – emotion coaching model
- The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy by Deb Dana – body-based co-regulation
- Websites:
- Zones of Regulation – visual emotion zone supports
- Greater Good Science Center – daily mood boosters and science-backed rhythms
- Tools:
- Zone-matched emotion cards (green = curious, yellow = unsettled, red = flooded)
- Co-regulation scripts and scripts for shutdown-friendly communication
- Soft lighting + silent presence cues
🌀 Sensory – Environmental Design, Weighted Input, Calming Modulation
Resources:
- Books:
- Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight by Sharon Heller
- The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun by Carol Stock Kranowitz – sensory tools for all ages
- Websites:
- Sensory Friendly Solutions
- National Autism Resources – sensory-safe products
- Tools:
- Weighted lap pads or shoulder wraps (Zone-aligned)
- Noise-cancelling headphones (Loop, Bose, or PuroQuiet)
- Scent-safe rooms (with air purifiers or personal fans)
- Sensory tents, blackout curtains, beanbags