How to Design a Sensory Room
If you are looking for a way to make a calming environment for children with sensory processing difficulties, creating a sensory room may help. Sensory rooms provide a space where children can interact with different sensory materials that help them regulate their sensory needs. These rooms can be found in many settings such as schools, therapy clinics, and even in your home.
What Is A Sensory Room?
A sensory room is also known as a sensory gym, it is a space that provides sensory materials for children with sensory processing difficulties. It is a therapeutic space that can help you regulate your emotions and behavior through sensory input.
A sensory gym is a multi-sensory room that provides a variety of sensory experiences that can help you feel calm, relaxed, and focused. The sensory experiences typically include visual, vestibular, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and proprioceptive stimuli.
In a sensory gym, you will find a variety of equipment and materials that are specifically designed to provide sensory input. The equipment can include items such as an aerial hammock (our favorite), bubble tubes, fiber optic lights, foam or ball pit, and weighted lap blankets. Materials include soft flooring, textured surfaces, and therapeutic grade essential oils.
What is a Sensory Room Used For?
The purpose of a sensory room is to create a safe space where you can explore and interact with your surroundings. It is a space where you can learn how to self-regulate. Sensory rooms can be particularly beneficial for children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, anxiety.
If you have trouble processing sensory input, it can be hard to stay calm and focused. Sensory rooms help children with sensory needs self-regulate, decompress, and develop coping skills to effectively process sensory input in their daily lives.
Sensory Room Lights
Lighting plays an important role in mood regulation and sensory room design. Soft, dim lighting such as amber lights can create a calming atmosphere. Bright, colorful lights can be stimulating. If possible, have adjustable lighting options such as a lamp or dimmer switches. At Mindful Child Aerial Yoga we have LIFX light bulbs that can change color and brightness to accommodate different sensory needs.
Sensory Room Furniture
Sensory furniture and equipment provides sensory input and keeps children engaged in therapeutic activities.
Here are a few of my favorite sensory furniture options:
- Bubble lamps
- Nugget play couch
- Padded flooring
- Bean Bags
- Mindful child aerial yoga hammock
- Tactile wall panels
- Foam pit
- Obstacle course equipment
Sensory Room for Autism
It is important to understand the child’s sensory preferences/needs when selecting sensory furniture, tools, and equipment. If possible, do a sensory profile or sensory interview with parents so you know the child’s unique sensory needs. Some children may need a smaller room with less equipment as the larger room, may overwhelm them, which will lead to increased behavioral issues and inattention.
Mindful Child Wellness and Aerial Yoga has a large aerial studio, which is a sensory gym. I also have a smaller studio and even smaller less stimulating therapy rooms for children. Mindful Child aerial yoga classes and occupational therapy services in Kansas City are individualized and full of meaningful sensory input to help your child learn life-long coping skills.