The most “sensory-friendly” spaces in Kim Hindery’s home are tailored to her 10-year-old daughter’s preferences. There’s a cushioned “crash” pad in Abby’s bedroom since deep pressure comforts her, and one corner of the basement has “all of the things she loves,” including items to keep her hands busy, such as bubble wrap and fidget spinners.
This isn’t to say the rest of Hindery’s Cincinnati, OH, home isn’t comfortable for Abby, who has cerebral palsy, schizencephaly, and polymicrogyria. She prefers natural light, so the family doesn’t often use overhead lighting, for instance, but these nooks are special oases for her.
People like Abby can turn to these spaces, known as sensory rooms, when they feel overstimulated since the rooms have less sensory input, notes Ariel Lyons-Warren, MD, PhD, a neurologist at Texas Children’s Hospital whose research focuses on sensory processing disorders. Once rarely seen outside therapeutic settings, sensory rooms have popped up at schools, stadiums, playgrounds, corporate offices, amusement complexes, and even state parks.
As more public venues see the value of offering these spaces, families look to create similar places at home. One thing Hindery has learned about sensory rooms is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
“You really have to hone in on what your child responds to,” says Hindery, who also is executive director of the Child Neurology Foundation. “There are some kids who could play with Velcro all day and find it soothing, and for others, that’s like nails on a chalkboard. … What can help kids move from a state of agitation to a state of calm?”
Benefits for Many
While many associate sensory rooms with children with autism, the spaces also can benefit those with epilepsy, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and mood disorders. And they’re not just for children—they can help reduce stress levels in adults with dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder, brain injuries, or excessive anxiety, too.
Reducing sensory input can be as easy as dimming overhead lights, painting walls a soft color, or choosing a sensory-friendly floor covering. Common aspects of many sensory rooms include items with different textures for restless hands to discover, a sound system that can reduce unwanted noises or play soft music or nature sounds, and comfortable seating. Some neurodiverse individuals prefer areas that allow them to quiet down, perhaps with weighted blankets or vests. Others need rooms that allow for movement and might be outfitted with equipment like climbing walls and swings.
“Sensory rooms can be as diverse as the individuals they support,” Dr. Lyons-Warren says, “but all center around modulating sensory input to ensure the amount of light, sound, touch, taste, or smell provides support without being overwhelming.”
Sensory rooms can even help neurodiverse individuals when they’re outside the room.
“Having a space where you can build up that inner battery or recharge can be very helpful,” says Aaron Nelson, MD, a pediatric neurologist and professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “Obviously, out in the world, you can’t control your environment in the same way you can in a sensory room. But you may find things like noise-canceling headphones, specific textures, or even a specific item that can be a bridge to transition from the sensory room to the outside world.”
Autism Speaks, a nonprofit serving people with the condition and their families, often works with businesses and organizations that don’t have the resources for sensory rooms but still want to make their spaces generally more welcoming, says Arianna Esposito, BCBA, the organization’s vice president of services and supports. The best way to start is by asking those with learned experience for their input, she says.
“Who are your guests or customers or patients? Who are the people that you’re serving? Bring them along in the process,” Esposito says. “It’s really about creating a sensory-friendly experience. … Fluorescent light bulbs often [emit] sound that can be over-stimulating for someone with sensory issues. Look at things like music levels and scents that some might find overwhelming.”
Esposito notes that Autism Speaks offers online resources that can help, such as training that people can take to become an “Autism Friendly Ally” and information about how businesses can earn their “Autism Friendly Designation.”
Sensory rooms can benefit neurotypical individuals as well. Hindery’s older daughter, 12-year-old Adabelle, also enjoys the family’s designated sensory-friendly spaces.
“I read how curb cutouts were such an advancement for the disability community because wheelchairs could get up on the sidewalk. But they were also super beneficial for the average person with luggage or a grocery rolling cart,” Hindery says. “When I was a teacher in a classroom, I found all of the students benefited when I would turn the lights off.”
Christyn Mitchell, DHSc, OTR/L, an instructor in Thomas Jefferson University’s occupational therapy (OT) department and director of the school’s master of science in OT program, believes sensory-friendly spaces benefit everyone, not just people who are neurodiverse.
“I believe we should start normalizing the conversation about sensory rooms and sensory-friendly spaces,” she says.
Creating Your Own Space
You don’t need a whole room to create a sensory-friendly space, either, notes Esposito, who lives in New York City, where space often is at a premium. A sensory room can be a small part of a room, such as a corner with a beanbag chair, an indoor tent, or even a closet. Dr. Mitchell has a friend who created a sensory-friendly space on the corner of her couch, outfitting it with a candle, lamp, and blanket.
The key is offering a variety of items that address different senses. Esposito remembers working with an older client who, after visiting a sensory room for the first time, said, “This is the calmest I’ve felt in a long time. I didn’t know you could have something like this. I thought it was only stress balls.” Consider including items that are pleasing from a tactile point of view; comfortable furniture, including bean bags and crash pads; weighted blankets or vests; adjustable lighting; and devices that emit sounds the patient enjoys.
Don’t forget to take the different senses into account when designing the space. Sound can be tricky because it affects other people, but “if your child likes sound, put things in there that make noise so that they can create it,” Dr. Lyons-Warren says. “If your child doesn’t like sound, think about sound-dampening or using paneling to muffle sound. Even a slight odor can be very irritating for someone with olfactory hyper-sensitivity, while certain odors may be calming for some children.”
Knowing your child’s triggers so you can address them when they arise can help you determine the right setup, too. When she was teaching, Hindery used the concept of “ABC”—antecedent, behavior, and consequence—to plan her next steps while working with children with sensory issues.
“If you look at what comes before and after the behavior, you can sometimes find a trigger or something that soothes a child,” Hindery says. “This record of how a child responds to their environment and to different sensory items can be very useful in determining what kinds of things your child needs.”
Outfitting a sensory space doesn’t need to be expensive. Internet searches bring up tons of sensory room DIY ideas and “hacks.” Hindery regularly introduces Abby to new items from dollar stores that she thinks will have a calming effect, like a squishy stuffed animal.
Ideally, if you have a child or adult who can engage in the process of creating a sensory room, you will want to work with them to tailor the room or experience to their needs, Dr. Nelson says. It’s important that these individuals know what works best for them and how to ask for those things.
“From person to person, there can be a lot of individuality with regards to what’s most soothing,” he says.
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