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Creating a sensory-friendly home can ease stress, reduce overwhelm, and promote calm for autistic children. This guide shares four core principles, with room-by-room suggestions, to help you make practical changes that truly support your child’s sensory needs.
Sensory-Friendly Homes for Autistic People
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A note on language: the use of person-first (e.g., person with autism) versus identity-first (e.g., Autistic person) language has been a topic of much discussion in the field of autism. The author has chosen to write this article using identity-first language, as this is the strong preference of most of the Autistic community. This article contains quotes from an Autistic adult remembering her childhood experiences at home. |
In previous issues of Parenting Special Needs, we talked about the importance of the environment in promoting positive behavior and supporting families experiencing challenging situations in their homes. Autistic people can experience the sensory world very vividly.
This can bring great joy and happiness as well as distraction, stress, and overwhelm anyone in poorly designed environments. Sensory overwhelm is a common cause of and trigger for challenging behavior, so adapting a home can bring increased calm.
Many elements go towards making a home autism friendly; one key component is managing the sensory environment. This can be an ongoing process of trial and error, and it is OK to do what you can, when you can, depending on family finances.
It is helpful for families to think about four principles that guide developing sensory-friendly homes: adapt what you can; prepare for everything else; support coping at home; and create opportunities for sensory joy.
It’s encouraged to include your child when making decisions about changes to the home to give them a sense of control over their environment.
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“It really helped me to be able to choose the colour of my bedroom wall. We moved when I was young, and I was able to choose my bedroom colour, which was a warm, soft blue. I was also able to touch materials and identify what worked. Nothing then came as a shock.” |
Principle 1. Adapt What You Can
Think about all the senses and aim for a sensory calm house. Here are some suggestions that you can consider.
Light: Try to reduce artificial light, especially moving away from flickering fluorescent lights, to warmer LED bulbs. Try to use lower lighting (like lamps) and lights hidden from eye view (e.g., up-lights on a kitchen cabinet rather than overhead lights).
Prioritize natural light and provide as much controllability as possible with dimmer switches and curtains. Be aware of many glass and reflective surfaces, as reflection can be distracting and confusing.
Space: Cluttered houses or rooms can be difficult for many people to function in. Well-organized spaces with items stored and labeled help focus on what is important each day. Additionally, some Autistic children prefer an area, desk, or corner that is their personal space where items such as toys and other materials are not touched by others.
Noise: Reduce sudden loud noises (e.g., by adding bumper pads to cabinet doors). Try to schedule noisy activities (e.g., vacuuming, mowing) when children are out of the house, or close doors to reduce noise from one room to another. Carpets, curtains, and soft furnishings all make for good soundproofing.
Some Autistic people struggle to tune out background noise, and even gentle sounds (like an air conditioner) can be distracting and irritating.
Touch: Some fabrics can be uncomfortable. Try to have various fabrics for furniture, rugs, mats, cushions, etc., and take time to match bedding to your child’s sensory preferences. Sometimes, Autistic people can experience gentle touch as being uncomfortable.
Try to minimize times with busy families and guests where someone might be touched or bumped accidentally.
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“I remember that I wasn’t allowed to wear shoes inside. The minimizet textures on the floor under my bare feet were quite jarring. We settled on thick socks, but inside shoes would also have been nice. I couldn’t sit on the sofa as it is made from velvet, which I find really uncomfortable. We made a corner from a safe material just for me.” |
Smells: Consider non-scented cleaning products for kitchens, bathrooms, and clothes. If able, open windows to help fresh air circulate, especially if cooking.
Temperature: Consider both heat and cold, and options to support kids in managing their bodies. For instance, a cooling weighted blanket may result in better sleep for some of us!
Principle 2. Make Everything Else Predictable
There are always some things we can’t change in a home. That’s OK! What we have to do is try to make sure you let kids know ahead of time if there are going to be any unusual sensations or loud noises that might cause upset. This might just be a 5-minute timer warning that the vacuuming is going to happen.
This allows kids time to prepare for whatever is going to happen and to use strategies to avoid the event or cope.
Principle 3. Support Coping at Home
There will always be times when children must cope with sensory stressors – an alarm or siren, for example. It is helpful to ensure that children learn to use coping strategies such as noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses, hoodies (to protect from bright lights), and fidget tools that promote sensory self-regulation. Tools like squish balls, fidget spinners, putty, or stretchy tubes can help.
Having a quiet room or a quieter space is helpful too. Even a quiet tent in a room can be a place of solace if children are overstimulated. Children can be taught that these are helpful places to go if they want to, when they feel overwhelmed. Quiet rooms are also increasingly common in public spaces for children and adults.
Principle 4. Provide Opportunities for Sensory Joy
Children get lots of joy from their sensory world, and some actively seek different sensations. It’s helpful to understand what kids love and make sure these opportunities are available as choices throughout the day.
This might be jumping on a trampoline, a swing, playing with sand or shaving foam, getting a squish from mum or dad, exploring a sensory garden, or showering. Remember, ‘one person’s yuck is another person’s yum’! So, all your activities need to be based on what your child loves. Occupational Therapists and other professionals can help families develop this understanding.
“I was given a hard time for wanting to keep soft stuffed toys in my room because it was deemed not age-appropriate. These were safe, comfortable, and sensory-friendly, making me feel relaxed.”
In previous issues of Parenting Special Needs, we discussed the importance of communication , especially as a replacement for challenging behavior.
For parents, the best way to learn about what works for your children is to teach them to communicate about the environment and, as much as is achievable, to understand that they can advocate to change it if they want to. Speech pathologists can often help children develop these essential skills.
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