Sensory processing issues are very common for autistic children, about 90% of autistic children have Sensory Processing Disorder. That is why it is so crucial for these needs to be understood and accommodated at home and beyond.
A sensory-friendly environment is imperative for your autistic child to feel calm, focused, and emotionally regulated. Imagine trying to learn or follow basic directions at a rock concert. That’s what noises and lights that you may not notice may feel like to your sensory child. Every child’s sensory needs are unique and you will know your child best, but this will be a guide that offers flexible ideas to adapt your home to best create a sensory safe space.
Understanding Sensory Sensitivities
Autistic children often process sensory input in different ways. They can be hypersensitive (overly sensitive) or hyposensitive (under sensitivity) to all forms of sensory input from sound and light to smell and taste to touch and and more. They may experience a mix of hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity across senses as well.
Common sources for sensory overload include loud, unexpected noises, bright, flickering lights, bothersome textures, and repulsive smells. Sensory overload can affect how your child behaves and what else they can tolerate. If their sensory cup is “full” because of many of these triggers, asking them to try a new food or transition to a new activity may push them over the edge into a meltdown. This doesn’t mean that one activity is necessarily what caused the meltdown alone, just that they were already overstimulated and anything additional is the straw that broke the camel's back.
Key Elements of a Sensory-Friendly Environment
- Visual Sensitivity: Be mindful to reduce visual clutter and create a visually calming space.
- Avoid harsh lighting. Instead opt for lights that can dim, light covers to reduce flickering and harshness of overhead lighting.
- Consider blackout curtains for children sensitive to light. This will allow you to best control the lighting in the room.
- Look at colored or regular sunglasses when out or when lighting needs to be brighter than they like.
- Noise Sensitivity: Tips for minimizing distracting or overwhelming sounds.
- Use soundproofing solutions in the sensory room you are creating. For example, rugs, acoustic panels, or heavy curtains.
- Provide a sound reducing hoodie or noise-canceling headphones to help reduce noise at home and when you leave. Also consider using white noise machines in the room to create a consistent background sound.
- Create quiet zones or designate a “quiet corner” for the child to retreat to when overwhelmed both at your home and whenever at someone else’s home when possible.
- Tactile Sensitivity: How to make the home environment more comfortable for children with touch sensitivities.
- Offer soft, sensory-friendly clothing (avoid scratchy tags or bulky seams).
- Use weighted blankets or lap pads for calming, deep pressure therapy.
- Have a variety of textures available, such as soft cushions, fuzzy blankets, or smooth fidgets for tactile exploration.
- Make note of fabric and textures they dislike so you can avoid them. It is often different for different kids.
- Smell and Taste Sensitivity: Managing strong smells and flavors in the home.
- Avoid strong perfumes, scented cleaning products, or certain cooking smells that seem to overwhelm them.
- Use unscented or natural products where possible.
- Consider a diffuser with mild essential oils (if your child finds them calming) or odor-neutralizing products in certain areas.
- Find their safe foods and always have them in stock at home. Some sensory days can be worse than others and it is great to have a few food items you know they will like the texture and taste of. These are often crunchy foods like goldfish because they are predictably the same each time!
Creating a Structured, Calming Space
- Organizing the Home: How to create a predictable and structured environment.
- Designate specific areas for different activities. For example, a play area, homework corner, sensory break space or room.
- Use visual schedules or picture boards to outline daily routines and reduce anxiety about transitions.
- Keep commonly used items in accessible, predictable locations to reduce frustration.
- Creating a Sensory Break Area: Designing a “calm-down” space.
- Fill this room or area with their favorite comfort items, sensory tools, and calming toys. Use soft lighting, reduced noise, and provide comfortable seating (for example bean bag chairs).
- Include sensory-friendly toys like stress balls, fidget spinners, or soft, squishy objects that the child can use for self-regulation.
- Suggest adding a small tent or canopy for a cozy, private space that feels safe and private.
Sensory-Friendly Tools and Products
- Sound Reducing Hoodie: Sense-ational You
- Weighted Blankets and Lap Pads: Explain the benefits and suggest specific products for different age groups.
- Compression Shirt: provides a tight hug feeling that is very calming. Adjustable Compression Shirt
- Sensory Swings or Chairs: Harkla Swing
- Fidget Toys and Sensory Toys: Squishy balls, Light Up Stretchy Caterpillars, Pop-it Toys, anything that stretches and twists, and marble mazes. There are so many options! You can get a variety pack to try some out.
- Soft Lighting Solutions: Fluorescent Light Covers, lamps that allow you to change temperature and brightness, and lights that project stars.
Adapting the Environment as Your Child’s Needs Change
- Flexibility in Sensory Preferences: It’s important to know that a child’s sensory needs may evolve over time, so it’s important to be adaptable and regularly check in with how they are responding to the tools and changes to see how you can change the environment to meet what they need.
- Encouraging Participation: Involve their child in choosing the sensory-friendly tools or decorations for their space. This will help them feel a sense of control over their environment. You can also check with their therapists and teachers for recommendations of what they like.
Conclusion
Small changes can make a big difference for your sensory child! There is no “perfect” way to do this and no “perfect” sensory space. But learning and accommodating their needs will make a world of difference for them and for you. Sensory needs are not something they are ever making up or being “dramatic” about. It’s important to know that everyone experiences sensory input differently. An environment they can feel calm and safe in is crucial to to reduce stress and help autistic children thrive.