Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire

SAMPLE QUESTIONS (please read to make sure you know how to answer the questionnaire
but do not answer these sample questions).

These sample questions (and answers) have been included to make it as easy as possible for you
to fill out the questionnaire.

A. Do you find it difficult to concentrate on visual information (for example, reading a book)
when there are noises in the background?

In this question, an example is given which helps to explain the question further. Examples
are only given to help prompt you (if needed).

Sample answer to question A:

If I experience problems (most of the time) in concentrating while watching a movie when
there is background noise, I would answer ‘Often’. This would be regardless of whether I
experienced the exact issue detailed by the example.

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

B. Do you find it difficult to look people in the eyes?

It can be hard to answer questions like this as the amount that eye contact (or something
else) is a problem for you is likely to have varied throughout your life-time. For this reason,
we ask that you choose the option that corresponds best with your experience over the last
12 months.

Sample answer to B:

If I found it difficult to have eye contact with someone all of the time at the age of 7, but as
an adult I find it easy most of the time, I would answer ‘Rarely’.

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

© 2009
1. Do you dislike the physical sensation you get when people hug you?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

2. Do you gag when you are eating certain foods, perhaps feeling as if you are going to be sick)?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

3. Do you find it difficult to manipulate your hands when completing a delicate task (for
example, picking up small objects or transferring objects from one hand to the other)?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

4. Do you ever run your hand around the outside of an object before picking it up?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

5. Do you stand very close (for example, less than 1 metre/3 feet away) or very far (for example,
more than 3 metres/9 feet away) when you are talking to someone?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

6. Do you find certain noises/pitches of sound annoying?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

7. Do you smell your food before you eat it?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

8. Do bright lights ever hurt your eyes/cause a headache?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

9. Do you like to listen to the same piece of music/part of a DVD over and over again?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

10. Do you feel ill/dizzy/peculiar if you have to reach up high or bend down low for something?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

11. Do you find yourself fascinated by small particles (for example, little ‘bits’ of dust in the air)?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

12. Do you like to spin yourself round and round?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

© 2009
13. Do you ever feel ill just from smelling a certain odour?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

14. Do you find it difficult to hear what people are saying?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

15. Do you dislike having a haircut (for example, because little bits of hair go down your back)?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

16. Do you notice that you have hurt yourself but did not feel any pain?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

17. Are you ever told by others that you wear too much perfume/after-shave?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

18. Do lights ever seem to flicker when you look at them? (‘Flickering’ in this question means
appearing to turn on and off very quickly instead of appearing constant).

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

19. Do you like lining objects up?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

20. Do you rock yourself backwards and forwards?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

21. Do you find it difficult to go into a strong-smelling shop (for example “Lush” and “The Body
Shop”)?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

22. Do you cut the labels out of your clothes?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

23. Do you hate the feel or texture of certain foods in your mouth?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

24. Do you avoid going to restaurants because you can smell a certain odour?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

© 2009
25. Do you dislike loud noises?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

26. Do you use the tip of your tongue to taste your food before eating it?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

27. Does your body ever feel ‘numb’ - like you can’t feel anything against your skin?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

28. Do you think you have a weak sense of taste? One example of this would be if most food
taste of ‘nothing’?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

29. Do you find that you are unaware of your body’s signals (for example, don’t often feel
hungry/tired/thirsty)?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

30. Do you ever feel dizzy/ill when playing fast-paced sports, for example basketball or football?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

31. Do you react very strongly when you hear an unexpected sound?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

32. Do you dislike walking on uneven surfaces?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

33. Do you really like listening to certain sounds (for example, the sound of paper rustling)?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

34. Do you like to run about – perhaps up and down in straight lines or round in circles?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

35. Do you chew and lick objects that aren’t food (for example pen lids or bottle tops) because
you like the way they feel in your mouth?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

36. Do you enjoy wearing very strong perfumes/after-shaves?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

© 2009
37. Do you find that you position your body in a way that is different to most people (for
example, lie on your back on a sofa with your legs straight up in the air at a 90° angle)?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

38. Do you find it difficult to tie your shoelaces or button up your clothes?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

39. Do you find that you are able to go outside without a coat or a jacket when other people think
that it is too cold?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

40. Do you eat the same foods most of the time?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

41. Do you like to wear something/hold something (for example, a hat or a pencil) so that you
know where your body ‘ends’?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

42. Do you flick your fingers in front of your eyes?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

© 2009