Building a sensory room in your community or school is a good way to support students with different sensory needs. But to really make it actually be helpful to those who need it, there are a few important things to think about.

Accessibility

This space has to be easy for everyone to use. That means wide, open paths so people in wheelchairs can move around without any hassle, and making sure that materials and tools are placed within reach. 

Variety

Not everybody will use a sensory room the same way. Some kids might come in looking for a quiet space to calm down, while others might need more stimulation. To be a good sensory room, you have to have options to support all kinds of students. Include cozy spots to chill out, but also include places where people can move around, and equipment that supports that movement, like exercise balls and rocking chairs. Make sure you include different textures to touch. Things like a textile board are easy and cheap to make at home and can be a huge improvement

Routine

One of the biggest things that makes a sensory room successful is how it’s used. If it’s only brought up when a person is overwhelmed or upset, it can start to feel like a “last resort.” and feel more like a negative experience than a positive one (like putting a kid in time out) But when staff suggest it more often, and invite students to use it when they feel like it, It becomes a better space. The more it’s talked about and used, the more comfortable and useful it becomes.

Flexibility

The truth is, no one knows what works in the sensory room better than the people using it. Some things just might not work. That’s why it’s so important to check in regularly, watch how the space is being used, and ask for feedback. Some things might need to be changed. And that’s okay. The best sensory rooms are the ones that are never finished, and instead grow to become better.

In the end, a sensory room should be created with them in mind. Listen to the people who use it, and be open to change it as time goes on.