The Sensory Scale

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Quiz Questions

1.
I don’t notice when someone enters the room.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
2.
When watching sports, I have a difficult time tracking which player has the ball.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
3.
I wouldn’t be able to match the color of a sweater in a shop with the color of my pants at home.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
4.
I have difficulty finding people in crowds.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
5.
I can’t hear very low frequency sounds, such as low voices or the bass in music.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
6.
I don’t pick up on subtleties when someone else is speaking.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
7.
My hearing is fine, but I still often don’t notice when someone calls my name.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
8.
I have a hard time distinguishing the words in songs.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
9.
I don’t feel it when someone touches me.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
10.
I have a very high tolerance for pain.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
11.
I don’t seem to notice when my hands or face are dirty.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
12.
I find cuts and bruises on my body, but don’t remember hurting myself.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
13.
Strong flavors and spicy foods don’t bother me.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
14.
I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference in the taste between two different types of apples.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
15.
I wouldn’t taste it if someone added a teaspoon of salt to my glass of water.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
16.
I have accidentally consumed dairy products that have gone bad because I did not notice.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
17.
I would be the last person to detect it if something was burning.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
18.
I can’t distinguish a familiar person from a stranger based on their smell.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
19.
I am unaware of odors that others notice.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
20.
I can’t tell if my clothes are clean or dirty by smell alone.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
21.
Bright lights bother me.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
22.
I need sunglasses even when it is cloudy outside.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
23.
I am uncomfortable with intense visual scenes, like wild parties, disaster zones, or chaotic scenes in a movie.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
24.
I cannot work in a coffee shop because seeing all of the activity around me is distracting.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
25.
When others are watching television, I either leave the room or ask them to turn it down.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
26.
The sound of others eating can be irritating.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
27.
I find it difficult to work with background noise.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
28.
Unexpected sounds such as sirens or car alarms put me on edge.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
29.
Certain elements of clothing, such as seams, labels, fabric textures, and jewelry irritate me.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
30.
I feel uncomfortable when others touch me, such as during haircuts and visits to the doctor.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
31.
I don’t like it when I have to stand too close to other people in line.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
32.
I avoid going barefoot in the dirt or sand.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
33.
I don’t like strong-tasting mints or candies.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
34.
I am sensitive to the texture of food.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
35.
I always buy the same brands of food. If the store is out of what I like, I cannot tolerate the alternative.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
36.
I sense that food has gone bad and cannot eat it before others do.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
37.
I am hypersensitive to strong smells.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
38.
I become overwhelmed by the scent of other people’s deodorant, shampoo, or soap.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
39.
I react strongly to smells that don’t seem to bother others.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never
40.
I will not eat a food that smells strange.
- A.
  Always
- B.
  Often
- C.
  Sometimes
- D.
  Rarely
- E.
  Never

Quiz Outcomes

1.
Very Low
A very low score indicates this type of task approach is not very relevant in your life. If you have a higher score on the opposite form of task approach, then your pattern is quite clear. However, if both your scores are low or very low, congratulations! You have either done a great deal of work to get here, or you are fortunate to have a healthy approach to completing the tasks in your life.
2.
Low
A low score means this form of task anxiety is only occasionally a problem for you, or that it is of low intensity when it does happen. You may be annoyed by yourself at times, but still manage to get most of your important tasks completed, even if they’re not fun. Pay attention to when you do find yourself in mobilization or disengagement and the circumstances surrounding it. The more you are aware of your patterns, the more you will be able to begin interrupting
3.
Medium
A medium score means that you struggle with task approach to some degree. Awareness is the first step to change, and by taking this inventory you’re already on your way. You may only find yourself going into mobilization or disengagement at certain times or under specific situations. Applaud yourself for the times you do approach your to-do list in a healthy, head-on fashion, and have compassion for yourself in the times you simply cannot. By allowing yourself to mess up, you also give yourself an opportunity to observe just how your system is reacting.
4.
High
A high score means your nervous system could use a hand. That’s okay because we all need help sometimes, don’t we? As a mobilizer, you might stay up too late double checking your work spreadsheet or starting a new craft project, despite the fact that your presentation is due in the morning. If you disengage, you might spend more time than you mean to absent-mindedly scrolling through your phone, unable to find the energy necessary to get up and get working. When you return to your center, where your true power lies, you will be able to focus as necessary in a healthy, balanced way.
5.
Very High
A very high score means your body really does not like handling tasks that spark anxiety. It’s great that you’re here, so you can learn to support your system like it needs to be supported. If you mobilize, you may find yourself extremely busy around final exam time doing everything except studying. Or you may over-study to the point of exhaustion. Obviously, neither of these two options are going to help your exam score. If you disengage, you may be all caught up on the last five seasons of your favorite television show, but struggle to focus on what is most important. Remember, no matter what your response, it is your system’s way of trying to protect you from something that feels scary. While that exam or work presentation isn’t a saber-toothed tiger, your body doesn’t necessarily know that. If you score high in both mobilization and disengagement, your reaction may vary depending upon the task or situation.