How to Design the Perfect Sensory Room at Home for Your Child
Are you a parent of a child with sensory processing difficulties who would like to design the perfect sensory room at home for their child? If so, this post is for you.
Maybe you’ve seem the benefits of engaging in play in a sensory gym with an occupational therapist cam have on your child’s emotional regulation and behavior.
Aas parents, we want to do everything for our children. Believe me, I get it. This post will help you bring those benefits home through the design of their very own sensory room.
This post was created by Marra Robert, OTD, OTRL and contains affiliate links.
If you’re a parent of a child with sensory processing difficulties, you understand the unique challenges they face in processing and responding to sensory stimuli. Creating a sensory-friendly environment at home can make a world of difference in your child’s comfort and development.
Hi! My name is Marra and I’m a mama and a pediatric occupational therapist who has years of experience working with children with sensory processing challenged and helping their parents navigate the ups and downs of child development.
I loved supporting parents learning about autism, sensory processing, and their child’s individual needs.
I would often recommend toys or sensory equipment to families to help improve their child’s sensory processing and developmental skills. I’d like to share the most common recommendations with you.
A sensory room, also known as a sensory space or sensory haven, can be a game-changer. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how to create an amazing sensory room at home for your child with sensory processing difficulties.
We’ll discuss the key principles, recommended products, and design considerations to help you start this exciting journey or create a sensory room at home for your child..
UNDERSTANDING SENSORY PROCESSING AND SENSORY PROCESSING DIFFICULTIES
Before delving into the advantages of designing the perfect sensory room for your child, it’s crucial to establish a fundamental understanding of what these issues entail.
Sensory processing pertains to the manner in which our nervous system receives, arranges, and comprehends sensory input originating from our surroundings. This process involves the assimilation of data from eight distinct sensory systems, which may then inform our choice of an appropriate response. Indeed, there are eight sensory systems at play.
The first five sensory systems are the ones with which most of us are intimately familiar: those related to sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. In addition to these, there exist three additional sensory systems that are relatively less recognized: the vestibular, proprioception, and interoception sensory systems.
The vestibular sense is responsible for our perception of movement and our response to gravitational forces, essentially enabling us to maintain our balance. The proprioceptive sensory system, on the other hand, encompasses our capacity to sense deep pressure and our awareness of our body’s positioning. Lastly, interoception refers to our ability to gauge how our body is feeling.
For a more comprehensive understanding of sensory processing or for an in-depth exploration of our eight sensory systems, you can refer to the linked post.
Processing the constant stream of incoming sensory information can prove to be a challenge for certain children, resulting in sensory processing difficulties.
These difficulties can manifest in various forms, including hypersensitivity, which involves an exaggerated response to sensory stimuli, or hyposensitivity, which relates to an underreactive response to such stimuli.
The consequences of these sensory processing difficulties can encompass emotional dysregulation, stress, and even meltdowns. It’s essential to recognize that these challenges exist on a spectrum, with each child having a unique experience.
While some children may exhibit mild sensitivities, others may grapple with more pronounced difficulties. In cases where you suspect your child may be dealing with sensory processing issues, seeking guidance from healthcare professionals and occupational therapists for a comprehensive evaluation is of utmost importance.
CREATING A SENSORY ROOM KEY PRINCIPLES
Creating a sensory room is not about filling a space with random sensory products but ensuring that it serves your child’s specific sensory needs. Here are some key principles to consider when designing a sensory room:
1. Individualized Approach: Every child with sensory processing difficulties is unique. Customize the sensory room to cater to your child’s specific sensory preferences and sensitivities.
2. Safety First: Prioritize safety by ensuring that all items and equipment in the sensory room are age-appropriate and securely anchored. Eliminate any potential hazards.
3. Comfort and Calm: The room should be a safe and comfortable space for your child to relax and unwind. Use soft, calming colors, and consider adding comfortable seating options.
4. Accessibility: Make sure your child can access and use the sensory room independently, as this empowers them to self-regulate when needed.
5. Multisensory Experience Offer a variety of sensory experiences to cater to your child’s needs. This may include tactile, auditory, visual, olfactory, and vestibular experiences.
6. Structured Routine: Create a routine for using the sensory room, helping your child understand when and how to use it. Consistency can provide a sense of security.
7. Gradual Introduction: Introduce sensory items and experiences gradually to prevent sensory overload.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS FOR A SENSORY ROOM.
Now that you have a better understanding of sensory processing difficulties and the key principles behind creating a sensory room, let’s explore some recommended products to include in your home sensory space. These products can be tailored to your child’s specific sensory needs and preferences.
LED Lights
Install LED light strips along the room’s perimeter. These can provide soft, customizable lighting options in different colors.
FIBER OPTIC LIGHTS
Fiber optic lights create mesmerizing visual effects. They’re great for visual stimulation and relaxation.
LAVA LAMP
Lave lamps can provide soothing, rhythmic movement and gentle light for your sensory room.
SENSORY MATS
Textured mats with different surfaces (bumps, ridges, soft fur) can provide tactile stimulation in your sensory room
Balance Board
Balance boards are a great way to provide movement sensory input for your child while strengthening their core and balance. This is another great sensory equipment for your sensory room
Sensory Swing
Every sensory room needs a sensory swing! This is a great way for your child to receive structured movement sensory input while at the same time they are receiving deep pressure sensory input to help calm and regulate their nervous system.
Tunnels
Tunnels are a great way to provide movement input for your child and it works on strengthening their body awareness. It’s also perfect to build into an obstacle course.
SENSORY BALLS
Bumpy, spiky, or squishy sensory balls offer a variety of tactile experiences. They are so much fun to play with in the sensory room.
Fidgets
Consider fidget spinners, stress balls, or textured fidget toys to keep little hands occupied. These are perfect to use in the sensory room when your child needs a break from the big movement sensory play.
SENSORY KITS
These sensory kits are amazing for tactile play in your child’s sensory room. So many different textures to explore here.
Sensory table
I love this table an will be perfect for the sensory room. It can be used as a sensory from for a tactile play, however, it can also be a table for writing and you can flip over the table and it is a chalk board.
Weighted Blankets: Deep pressure input
Weighted blankets can provide deep pressure stimulation and a sense of security. Kiddos often feel safe and calm after using them.
Stepping Seston
Sensory stepping stones are a great way to target balance and postural control while providing children with structured movement sensory input. They are also a great addition to obstacle courses.
Balance Beam
Balance beams are another great way to strengthen your child’s balance and are another great option for the obstacle course.
ball pit
Ball pits are so much fun and a great addition to any sensory room. They provide deep pressure proprioceptive sensory input to help calm the nervous system, improve regulation, and increase body awareness.
crash pad
Crash pads are a great place in your sensory room where your child can get big movement and deep pressure input to help improve their regulation.
Creating an amazing sensory room at home for your child with sensory processing difficulties can be a transformative experience. By understanding your child’s unique sensory needs and preferences and incorporating the recommended products and design considerations, you can provide them with a safe and comforting space to explore, self-regulate, and thrive.
Remember that the key to success is individualization, consistency, and maintaining a sensory routine that meets your child’s specific needs. Your efforts in creating this sensory haven can have a profound impact on your child’s well-being and development, making it a worthwhile investment in their future.