Creating Sensory Friendly Classrooms

Supporting neurodivergent students means understanding and accommodating their unique sensory needs. If you are fortunate enough to be in a position to makes changes to your classroom, then you are in luck! There is lots that can be done to make comfortable, inclusive and sensory friendly classrooms.

1. Designate a quiet area with soft lighting, noise-canceling headphones, or sensory tools (like stress balls or textured fabrics) where students can retreat when feeling overwhelmed. For kids with higher needs you can even get small pop up tents to give them a proper space to retreat to, without having to leave the room.

2. Minimize distractions by controlling lighting, sound, and visual clutter in the classroom. Pick a dedicated time each day when you will lower the lighting for a period of time to help all the kids (not just the ND ones!) settle and relax in a dim room.

3. Help hyper bodies: allow regular movement breaks or fidget tools to help students self-regulate and focus. Wobble cushions, foot swings under desks, or a quick series of exercises to 'cross the mid-line' to help children with balance and focus.

4. Collaborate with parents or carers to better understand each student's specific sensory preferences and needs. Know what techniques, inputs and tools either heighten or sooth them. For example, my son's Year 1 class had a body sock for stretching and movement - little did his poor teacher know, that was a one way track to hyper-town.