School OTs: Help your students with sensory processing disorders by creating a sensory-friendly classroom. Here’s how.

<p>
 <strong>5%-16% of U.S. children have sensory processing disorders</strong> 
 (<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnint.2020.00022/full" target="_blank">Crasta et al</a>). This means, 
 if you’re a school-based occupational therapist, at any single point in time, 
 you probably serve several students who struggle with sensory processing disorders. 
</p>
</br>
<p> Whether your students are hypersensitive, hyposensitive or a combination of both, 
  one way you can help them feel safer and more comfortable in the school environment 
  is to create sensory-friendly spaces. If you have your own room, you can transform 
  it to meet your students’ needs. You can also work closely with teachers to help them 
  implement designs and modifications in their classrooms. 

</p>
<h2>What are the most common types of sensory issues or sensory processing disorders?</h2>
<p>Individuals with <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/sensory-issue-or-behavior-disorder?" target="_blank">sensory processing issues</a> 
may be hypersensitive, hyposensitive or a combination of both. 
</p>
</br>
<p> Students with <strong>hypersensitivity</strong> are overly sensitive to stimuli. They may 
  find the following stimuli to be overwhelming (<a href="https://instrc.indiana.edu/tips-tools/_tips/sensory-sensitivity-in-the-classroom.html" target="_blank">Indiana University</a>):
</p>
<ul>
    <li>Fluorescent lights </li>
    <li>Flashing lights </li>
    <li>Clutter </li>
    <li>Busy patterns </li>
    <li>Fire alarms </li>
    <li>School bells </li>
    <li>Loudspeaker announcements </li>
    <li>New or intense flavors or tastes </li>
    <li>Perfumes </li>
    <li>	Unfamiliar odors </li>
    <li>Rough clothing </li>
    <li>Rain or wind </li>
    <li>Sudden contact </li>
    <li>Swinging </li>
    <li>Jumping </li>
    <li>Hunger </li>
    <li>Thirst </li>
    <li>Urge to use the restroom </li>
    <li>Temperature changes </li>
</ul>
</br>
<p>On the other hand, students with hyposensitivity tend to underreact to stimuli. 
  These students may seek out stimuli and may 
  (<a href="https://www.autismspecialtygroup.com/blog/autism-sensory-issues" target="_blank">Autism Specialty Group</a>):

</p>
<ul>
    <li> Turn volumes up excessively loudly </li>
    <li> Bore easily </li>
    <li> Tire of reading </li>
    <li> Have difficulty finding objects </li>
    <li> Lick or chew inedible objects </li>
    <li> Intensely hug others </li>
    <li> Lack a sense of personal space </li>
    <li> Run into others </li>
    <li> Crash into objects </li>
    <li> Drop things </li>
    <li> Stumble </li>
    <li> Swing or spin </li>
    <li> 	Struggle to balance </li>
    <li> Not experience pain or temperature like average children </li>
    <li> Injure themselves more easily </li>
    <li> Be unaware of the pain they may cause others </li>
</ul>

<h2>What other issues are commonly associated with sensory processing problems?</h2>
<p>Students with sensory issues may also have (<a href="https://www.spdstar.org/sites/default/files/file-attachments/Sensory_Over-Responsivity_in_Elementary_School_Prevalence_and_Social_Emotional_Correlates_2009.pdf" target="_blank">Ben-Sasson et al.</a>):
</p>
<ul>
    <li> Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder </li>
    <li> Autism spectrum disorder </li>
    <li> Anxiety </li>
    <li> Obsessive-compulsive disorder </li>
    <li> Developmental delays </li>
</ul>

<h2>What is a sensory-friendly classroom?</h2>
<p>A sensory-friendly classroom is a space designed to accommodate the various sensory 
  experiences and needs of all students who visit the room. Sensory-friendly classrooms 
  are inclusive and supportive learning spaces. Occupational therapists, teachers and 
  other educators in charge of these spaces must continually consider changes that 
  will need to occur to meet the needs of the individual students who visit the 
  classroom. These classrooms should be designed to prevent overwhelm for students 
  who are hyperactive and also offer sensory activities to stimulate those who are 
  hypoactive.
</p>

<h2>How can school OTs and teachers create sensory-friendly classrooms?</h2>
<p>To design a sensory-friendly classroom, you’ll want to consider the classroom layout, 
  including seating and furniture, the lighting and color palette, and materials and 
  supplies. You’ll also want to work with your students’ support teams and observe 
  and keep data to continually adapt and improve the classroom. Here are tips to 
  get started:
</p>
<ul>
    <li> Reduce clutter like unused books, excessive posters, etc. </li>
    <li> Use muted colors </li>
    <li> Let natural light in </li>
    <li> Use lamps </li>
    <li> Bring in a large rug or carpet </li>
    <li> Turn desks away from windows </li>
    <li> Arrange seating for classroom flow </li>
    <li> Have bean bag chairs, cushions and exercise balls available </li>
    <li> Create a quiet area  </li>
    <li> Depending on students’ needs, play background music or have silence </li>
    <li> Create centers with various activities </li>
    <li> Put chair glides or tennis balls on chair legs </li>
    <li> Label objects to help students find things </li>
    <li> 	Label areas of the classroom </li>
    <li> Use visual timers </li>
    <li> 	Use songs or rhymes for transitions </li>
    <li> Avoid using markers that smell </li>
    <li> Make your classroom a perfume-free space </li>
    <li> Offer chewing tools or “chewelry” </li>
    <li> 	Provide special interest books </li>
    <li> Use emotion cards  </li>
    <li> Provide sensory-friendly toys like puzzles, spinners, etc. </li>
    <li> Provide ear muffs to dampen sound </li>
    <li> 	Incorporate movement breaks </li>
    <li> Implement routines </li>
    <li> 	Post the routines and daily schedule in a visible place </li>
    <li> Prepare students in advance and warn them of upcoming fire drills </li>
    <li> Collaborate with parents and students’ team </li>
    <li> Observe students in the classroom </li>
    <li> Recommend classroom modifications </li>
    <li> Keep data </li>
    <li> Continually adjust as needed </li>
</ul>
</br>
<p>Additional sensory-friendly classroom resources: <a href="https://www.sensoryfriendly.net/how-to-create-a-sensory-friendly-classroom/" target="_blank">sensoryfriendly.net</a>, 
<a href="https://www.continentalpress.com/blog/sensory-friendly-classroom/" target="_blank">continentalpress.com</a>, 
<a href="https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/autism-spectrum-disorder/articles/make-classroom-sensory-friendly-today" target="_blank">reading rockets.com</a>, 
<a href="https://thesensorysloth.com/en-us/blogs/news/sensory-friendly-classrooms" target="_blank">thesensorysloth.com</a>
</p>

<h2>What sensory strategies and activities can OTs and teachers use in the classroom?</h2>
<p> OTs and teachers can use sensory integration therapy (SIT) to help students with 
  sensory processing issues. SIT activities are designed to help students self-regulate, 
  focus and build sensory skills. If you’d like to learn more about auditory, gustatory, 
  olfactory, tactile, and visual sensory activities to use with your students, visit 
  our post, 
  <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/sensory-strategies-for-the-classroom-teacher?" target="_blank">Sensory Strategies 
  for the Classroom Teacher</a>.

</p>
</br>
<p><strong>Ready to embark on your next great career adventure?</strong> Check out our 
  <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/education" target="_blank">school occupational 
  therapist jobs now!</a>

</p>

How to Create a Sensory-Friendly Classroom