Focus Grows on Creating Sensory-Safe Spaces
A recent discussion highlighted the importance of building sensory-safe environments to support executive function. The approach involves assessing sensory triggers like lighting and sound, collaborating with individuals to integrate supports like fidgets or flexible seating, and advocating for these accommodations in schools.
- In Chicago, a $1.3 million donation from Special Children's Charities is funding the installation of sensory rooms in 22 Chicago Public Schools, a project estimated to serve 1,500 students in the cluster program. - The cost of creating a sensory room can range from a few thousand dollars to over $100,000, depending on the size and technology included. However, some organizations, like The Perception Foundation, have developed cost-effective models that can be implemented for a fraction of the typical cost. - Twice-exceptional (2e) students, who are both gifted and have a disability such as ADHD or sensory processing challenges, often exhibit heightened sensitivities to their environment and can particularly benefit from sensory-safe spaces. - Research from Cardiff University's Wales Autism Research Centre has led to the development of the first evidence-based guide for using sensory rooms to support autistic children, based on studies involving 41 children in a purpose-built sensory room. - A pilot study on the effects of sensory rooms on healthy adults suggested that using a sensory room may increase vagal function, which is associated with relaxation, more than quiet seated activity. - Companies like SensoryOne, Summit Sensory Gym, and Sensory Nook specialize in designing and installing custom sensory environments for schools and other facilities, offering features like interactive projection systems and mobile sensory pods. - Funding for sensory rooms in schools can be sourced through various channels, including federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grants, local authority funding, and grants from corporate foundations such as the Walmart Foundation and The Home Depot Foundation. - At home, parents can create sensory-friendly zones by using calming colors, providing noise-canceling headphones, and incorporating items like weighted blankets, swings, and fidget toys to help children self-regulate.
