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How to Create Calming Spaces for Every Need
In a world that often overwhelms the senses, a sensory room can be a safe haven. Whether for a child with ADHD, a youth who is neurodivergent or those simply needing a calming environment, sensory rooms offer targeted experiences that support emotional regulation, concentration, and well-being. In this post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about creating effective sensory rooms, in particularly for children and youth. In addition you will learn about calming sensory room ideas and tips for addressing specific needs, such as those of children with ADHD.
What Is a Sensory Room?
A sensory room is a carefully designed space that provides sensory experiences to help individuals calm down, focus, or engage their senses. Moreover, these rooms are particularly helpful for children with sensory processing disorders, autism, or ADHD. However, they benefit all children by offering a controlled environment for sensory regulation.
Why Are Sensory Rooms Important for Children?
Research shows that around 1 in 6 children has a sensory processing issue. Sensory rooms help children manage these issues by providing safe, stimulating environments. Furthermore, whether a child is easily overstimulated or under-stimulated, a sensory room offers various textures, sounds, and visuals that can either calm or engage the senses.
The Eight Senses: A Foundation for Sensory Room Design
While many people are familiar with the five traditional senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch), it’s important to consider all eight senses when designing a sensory room for children:
- Vision (Visual): Colorful lights or soothing dim lighting can cater to visual needs.
- Hearing (Auditory): Gentle music or white noise machines are useful for children sensitive to sounds.
- Smell (Olfactory): For example, incorporate calming scents like lavender in diffusers.
- Taste (Gustatory): Though less common in sensory rooms, a small snack station with different textures can be helpful.
- Touch (Tactile): Soft pillows, tactile wall panels, and sensory toys are must-haves.
- Proprioception (Body Awareness): Provide weighted blankets or beanbag chairs to help children understand their body in space.
- Vestibular (Balance): For instance, rocking chairs or mini trampolines can help children who seek vestibular input.
- Interoception (Internal Body Awareness): Incorporating quiet corners for rest supports self-regulation.
Unique Insights from a Sensory Expert: A Word from Christel Seeberger
Christel, founder of Sensory Friendly Solutions, draws from over 30 years of experience as a regulated health care professional and her own experience with a hearing disability to shed light on sensory-friendly environments.
“As someone who experiences sensory overload in loud environments, I understand the importance of offering children a safe space to decompress. Sensory rooms are not just about fun objects—they’re about giving children a way to navigate the overwhelming world around them,” she explains.
Designing a Special Needs Sensory Room: Why We Should Evolve Our Language
It’s important to note that the term “special needs sensory room” is increasingly falling out of favor. The term can unintentionally stigmatize children. We use it here because it is often searched and we want people to find this important info and change the words they use! Specifically, focusing on their differences rather than their strengths. Instead, we recommend using terms like “inclusive sensory rooms” or “sensory rooms for neurodiverse children.” These phrases promote a more positive and inclusive outlook.
Instead of special needs, you can say:
- functional needs or support needs when referring to someone’s needs
- disabled, person with a disability when referring to a person
Calming Sensory Room Ideas: Creating Spaces That Soothe
If you’re looking to create a sensory room that helps children calm down, here are a few calming sensory room ideas:
- Dimmed Lighting: Use string lights, soft LED bulbs, or dimmer switches to control the lighting.
- Soft Textures: Incorporate soft rugs, beanbags, and plush cushions for children to lie on.
- Quiet Corners: A quiet nook with calming tools like noise-cancelling headphones can provide a retreat from overwhelming stimuli.
- Weighted Items: Weighted blankets or lap pads help provide a sense of grounding.
Creating a Sensory Room for ADHD
Children and youth with ADHD may benefit from sensory rooms designed with both calming and stimulating elements. For example, here are some tips to consider when creating a sensory room for ADHD:
- Movement Opportunities: Include trampolines, swing chairs, mats, or balance boards to help children channel excess energy.
- Focus Zones: Create sections of the room where children can practice focused activities, like a reading corner or puzzle station.
- Tactile Engagement: Offer a variety of textures and fidget toys to keep their hands engaged and reduce restlessness.
Sensory Room Design for Home and School: Where to Begin?
A sensory room doesn’t have to be an elaborate or expensive project. For instance, here are some practical tips for setting up a sensory room in your home or classroom:
- Start Small: Begin with a corner of a room rather than dedicating an entire space. A sensory tent or pop-up nook can create an immediate effect.
- Budget-Friendly Solutions: Use everyday items like blankets, pillows, and sensory toys you already own. Furthermore, second-hand stores are also great places to find affordable sensory room essentials.
- Portable Sensory Tools: Create a sensory toolkit with items like noise-cancelling headphones, fidget spinners, or small, portable weighted lap pads. These can be used at home or school.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the purpose of a sensory room?
Sensory rooms provide a controlled environment where children can either calm down or engage their senses in a way that meets their individual needs.
How do I create a calming sensory room?
To create a calming sensory room, focus on dim lighting, soft textures, quiet areas, and weighted items. It’s important to reduce overstimulation in these spaces.
Can sensory rooms help children with ADHD?
Yes, sensory rooms can be highly beneficial for children with ADHD. They offer movement opportunities and focus zones that help children regulate their energy and attention.
What equipment is needed for a sensory room?
Common sensory room equipment includes weighted blankets, swing chairs, soft seating, noise-cancelling headphones, sensory toys, and tactile wall panels.
Are sensory rooms only for children with disabilities?
No, sensory rooms benefit all children by providing a calming or engaging environment that supports sensory regulation.
Making Sensory Rooms Part of DEI Initiatives
Creating sensory-friendly environments is more than just a thoughtful addition; it’s a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Furthermore, sensory rooms ensure that children with various sensory needs are included, respected, and supported. Whether it’s at school or home, sensory rooms can promote accessibility and inclusivity for children with ADHD, PTSD, developmental disabilities, and more.
Sensory Room Equipment and Benefits Table
| Equipment | Sensory Input Type | Benefit for Children | Ideas about who it helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weighted Blanket or Lap Pad | Proprioception (Movement Body Awareness) | Provides calming deep pressure, reduces anxiety | ADHD, Autism, General Sensory Processing Needs |
| Swing Chair | Vestibular (Balance) | Helps with balance, reduces hyperactivity | ADHD, Autism |
| Fidget Toys | Tactile (Touch) | Increases focus and decreases restlessness | ADHD, Autism |
| Noise-Cancelling Headphones | Auditory (Hearing) | Reduces overwhelming noise, promotes calm | ADHD, Autism, General Sensory Sensitivity |
| Calming LED Lights | Visual (Sight) | Provides a soothing visual environment | Autism, General Sensory Processing Needs |
| Tactile Wall Panels | Tactile (Touch) | Offers sensory exploration and stimulation | Autism, General Sensory Processing Needs |
| Beanbag Chairs | Proprioception (Movement and Body Awareness) | Helps children feel grounded, promotes relaxation | ADHD, Autism |
| Essential Oil Diffuser | Olfactory (Smell) | Provides calming scents like lavender | ADHD, Autism, General Sensory Sensitivity |
Explore More Sensory Room Topics
Looking to dive deeper into the world of sensory rooms? We’ve covered a wide range of topics to help you design, equip, and optimize sensory-friendly spaces. Check out our other blog posts for expert tips, calming ideas, and practical advice on creating inclusive environments for every child’s unique needs. Here’s a list of our top sensory room-related blogs to inspire your next project:
Sensory Room Training: Creating Inclusive Spaces
Learn about best practices and training to create sensory-friendly environments, including sensory rooms.
Creating a Calming Oasis: The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Room Equipment
Explore how to design a calming sensory room using the right equipment and materials.
What is a Sensory Room?
Discover the purpose and benefits of sensory rooms for individuals with sensory processing needs.
How Portable Sensory Rooms Create Inclusion
Learn how portable sensory rooms make inclusive spaces accessible in temporary or mobile environments.
Autism-Friendly Schools
Understand how schools can implement sensory-friendly spaces to support students with autism.
Sensory Equipment for the Classroom
Get insights into the best sensory equipment to use in classrooms for enhanced learning and emotional regulation.
Virtual Sensory Room or Online Sensory Room
Learn how virtual or online sensory rooms can also help meet sensory needs.
Want to Learn More About Creating Sensory-Friendly Spaces?
At Sensory Friendly Solutions, we provide low-cost training for parents, educators, and businesses to create inclusive, sensory-friendly environments. Our Training Membership gives you access to courses like Sensory Friendly 101, plus industry-specific training to help you design spaces that work for everyone.
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Christel Seeberger, BSc. O.T., is a regulated health care professional with over 30 years of experience in sensory disorders, disabilities and adapting environments. As someone with a hearing disability, Christel brings her personal lived experience with an invisible disability, sensory sensitivity and sensory overload to her work. In 2016, she founded Sensory Friendly Solutions to create a more sensory-friendly, accessible, and inclusive world through training, certification, product licensing, and product recognition. Christel’s expertise has been featured in guest blogs, as a radio and podcast guest, and in interviews with numerous media outlets, including CBC, CTV, Global News, AMI, Yahoo Life, the Globe and Mail, and local Fox TV/News.
