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Creating a sensory-friendly learning space is crucial for supporting children with ASD, who often have sensitivities that can lead to overstimulation and anxiety. The learning environment significantly impacts their ability to focus and engage. A well designed space can be a positive aid to learning, but other elements can cause discomfort and distress, leading to sensory overload or shutdown.
Examples of factors that can create a negative effect include excessive noise, lights that are too bright, decor colours, crowded rooms and environments that are too hot or cold. Sensory friendly spaces often use specific colours, materials and layouts to reduce overstimulation and encourage a sense of calm.
Key features of a calming environment
The main features of a calming sensory friendly learning environment must be based around the fact that people with an autistic spectrum condition experience life in a different way.
Many children with ASD are sensitive to noise, which can lead to discomfort, distraction or meltdowns in a traditional classroom setting. Ask yourself questions when creating a learning area, such as whether there are regular external sounds such as building works, children playing or heavy traffic. Try to reduce the external noise from impacting the interior space.
Studies have shown many people with autism can hear sounds more intensely than other people, including noises that are further away and regular sounds. The effect can be hearing deafening sounds which can become unbearable.
If it’s not feasible to soundproof the room, can you reduce the sound level for each individual child – would noise reducing headphones help? This can also solve the issue of interior sounds such as music, refrigerators humming, or clocks ticking from disrupting the calm environment.
Lighting is also important, with natural lighting being the preferred choice. If this isn’t possible, adjustable soft lighting should be used, avoiding harsh fluorescent bulbs. Some people on the autism spectrum say they can see fluorescent lights flickering constantly, which can be distracting. Fluorescent lighting has a flicker rate of between 60 and 120 flashes per second, which can be distressing.
How is natural lighting beneficial?
Not only does it create a calming atmosphere, but it also helps with sleeping patterns. The hormone melatonin helps to regulate our sleeping and waking patterns, with levels dipping in daylight hours and rising when it gets dark.
While natural light can be an ideal learning environment, it also encourages regular sleeping patterns. A structured routine is crucial for children with ASD in both learning and daily life. They can often experience sleeping problems and need a good, regular schedule to combat this.
Special beds for autism are available to help children have a good night’s sleep, with a structured routine being the key. A room filled with natural light means that as dusk falls, it will automatically have sleep associations. A purpose-made autism safety bed can help keep children comfortable and safe at night, as sleeping well is important to feeling able to learn during the day.
Sleeping problems are prevalent among children with ASD, with up to 80% having symptoms, according to research. As children develop, insufficient sleep can lead to feeling tired during the day, problems with learning, being inattentive and behavioural issues.
Room colour and decor
A big part of designing a sensory room for autism; different colours create different feelings and can either be stimulating or calming. For example, red and yellow shades can stimulate occupants and raise their pulse rate. At the other end of the spectrum, light blue is calming and aids concentration, while green is restful.
Think about whether you’re trying to create a stimulating or calming environment. If the room is big enough, you could split it into different areas, with various colour schemes, to offer alternatives.
The furniture layout is also important, as many autistic people can become overwhelmed by being presented with too much visual information and are observant of each detail. A highly cluttered room can have a negative effect. However, some visual stimulation is needed, so getting the balance right is the key.
Studies have shown patterned fabrics can be particularly disturbing for children on the ASD spectrum, even causing visual distortions.
Once you achieve the correct layout in terms of furniture, colour scheme and sensory lighting, other sensory room ideas, such as tactile toys and weighted blankets, can help children with ASD regulate their emotions. A weighted blanket or wrap is proven to help people of all ages with ASD and sensory processing disorders by providing a soothing effect.
Keep the room temperature moderate, as children with ASD can be averse to extremes of cold or hot weather due to their hypersensitivity.
Fostering positive social interactions
Creating opportunities for social interaction that are predictable and low pressure is also important. Structured group activities, play zones and visual social cues are all part of the positive learning environment.
Provide social opportunities in a supportive framework such as demonstrating required behaviours, including taking turns or reciprocating feelings. As a parent or carer of an autistic child, you can practice social interactions by roleplaying a situation in a low risk setting.
Use positive reinforcement by praising good behaviour and offering compliments when appropriate. Playing games together that require taking turns, following rules and being a good sport is also a useful learning tool. Activities that align with the child’s interests are particularly valuable, as this will retain their attention for longer.
Reading non-verbal cues is also important when practicing social interactions. Children on the autism spectrum can face challenges in managing social settings, such as recognising social cues and expressions, or reciprocating communication, so help them learn.
If you’re unsure how to proceed, consider social skills training through a health professional, school or pre-school group.
For more information on Creating a Sensory-Friendly Learning Space for ASD talk to Kinderkey Healthcare Ltd