By Lindsey Geiss
Creating a safe, effective calming space in your home, school or office does not have to break the bank. With a thoughtful planning approach, sensory rooms can reduce anxiety and regulate emotions to support focus, communication, behavior, productivity and more.
One in six children — between 5 and 16 percent of the general population — has sensory processing difficulties (according to Journal of the American Medical Association and National Institutes of Health), with estimates even higher for clinical populations like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Signs include hypersensitivity or aversion to touch, sound and/or sight, sensation seeking or avoidance, poor motor coordination, easy distractibility and overstimulation in group settings.
Whether you aim to help prevent sensory overload and meltdowns — or simply increase comfort and relieve stress — a dedicated sensory room or designated calming corner can help improve daily functioning.
“It is important to create a space that caters to the child’s unique sensory needs by designing the space with intention,” says Calli Elber, MOTR/L, occupational therapist for Julie Billiart School Westlake. “The room needs to respond to the child, not the child to the room. It should be a controlled and customizable space.”
As a first step, Elber recommends getting a sensory profile or assessment to target specific needs. While informal screeners may be available online, certified occupational therapists in schools or private practice have access to standardized tools and can provide a therapy program or “sensory diet” tailored to the individual. Talk to your physician or teacher for a referral if you suspect you or a family member have sensory processing challenges.
“More immediately, explore things within the home or school setting to see what the child responds to,” Elber says. “What makes them alert or calm? Hone in on their emotions and interactions with items in their surroundings — what they like or don’t like — during stable or baseline levels, not while in a heightened or dysregulated state.
“In our school building, we have a resource room off of the larger classroom with a designated calm corner,” Elber adds. “Workplaces or homes may pose more environmental considerations to ensure a quiet space is available, so look to minimize auditory distractions and block visual stimuli (like people walking) as best you can with noise cancelling headphones, ear plugs, or options for soothing sound or music, for example. While younger students often enjoy a tent-like enclosure, a lot of older kids like bean bag chairs or other lounge-style seating options, or going for walks.”
She suggests making sure everything in the room has a purpose and reducing clutter with clear bins or designated, accessible storage spaces for items.
“It should be structured and controlled, as well as predictable with a visual timer or schedule/first-then chart to aid in transitions — for instance, when utilizing the space before bedtime or a non-preferred activity in a routine,” Elber says. “Tie in emotional regulation by incorporating a ‘check-in’ (i.e., How is your body feeling?) using Zones of Regulation, Emojis, etc. The goal is to identify feelings and proactively manage them by using the tools independently. During a calm state, walk through the room with the child to explore the tools available and show the needs each item fulfills. Some of it is trial and error, but that is why an initial screening profile is so important.”
Where to shop
While quality certainly varies by manufacturer and price, sensory tools and fidgets have become increasingly mainstream, with selections across big-box stores, discount retailers and Amazon. Fun & Function (funandfunction.com) remains a teacher and therapist favorite for sensory solutions online, especially larger equipment, while local Lakeshore Learning (lakeshorelearning.com) or Learning Express Toys and GIfts (learningexpress.com) stores offer an assortment of toys and other materials for families and professionals. Fully outfitted rooms can sell for thousands online, while Harkla’s Classroom Sensory Kits (harkla.co) bundle various starter items by grade level/age. Shop around, watch for sales and, at your discretion, sign up for promotional emails/texts to access discount codes and special promotions.
Finally, while on the go in the community, keep in mind that a growing number of public facilities — especially arenas, museums and zoos — have become more sensory inclusive, with kits and/or rooms available. However, it can be helpful to keep a blanket and small bag in the car with key items, including headphones, a hat, sunglasses, small fidgets, a mini erasable LCD doodle board (or other drawing/coloring tools), and snacks or treats.
Engaging
the Senses
When planning a calming space,
consider all the senses:
Touch — Incorporate soft textured surfaces like tactile wall squares, weighted items (stuffed animals, blankets or textured lap pads, etc.) and assorted small fidget toys that spin, bend, squish or stretch, the latter of which often sell for under $5 each). Avoid sharp, breakable objects, and clean items regularly, especially in shared spaces.
Proprioception — Proprioception (body sense and awareness) and Vestibular (movement) — Body socks, small trampolines, hugging peapods, swings, pillows, crash pads, fluffy rugs and seating options, including bean bags, hammock chairs, peanut balls, rocking chairs, and swivel or sit and spin seats offer pressure and motion. Harkla Sensory Activity Sticks provide a variety of color-coded calming, alerting and primitive reflex integration activities. Ensure hanging or heavy items are properly secured and reinforced.
Auditory — Introduce instrumental or classical music, white/brown/pink noise and nature sounds, or sound-proofing utilizing noise cancelling headphones or ear plugs as needed. A dozen pairs of foam plugs sell for a few dollars.
Visual — Tents can eliminate distractions and control lighting, which should be soft and adjustable with warm tones. Green, blue or warm colors tend to calm. Bubble tube lamps, liquid oil timers and color changing light-up cubes or tiles provide predictable and consistent stimuli. Reduce clutter with organized containers, and avoid fast-flashing or erratic lights.
Taste and Smell — Depending on personal preference and sensitivity, purchase or make scented dough, try essential oil diffusers (color-changing aromatherapy devices can be found for under $7 at Five Below or Walmart), and have crunchy or chewy snacks and suckers available. Lavender and chamomile scents are known to be calming, while peppermint is linked to alertness.
