How to Make a Sensory-Friendly Environment
Sensory-friendly environments help make experiences more accessible and enjoyable for people with neurodivergent* brains. For example, during a symphony orchestra performance, you might expect the lights to be dimmed, unexpected cymbal crashes or dramatic volume changes, and everyone to stay quiet and seated. A sensory-friendly performance re-evaluates these norms, considering how they may prevent some people from feeling welcome and able to participate.
As we prepare this month to support a sensory-friendly concert with the Portland Columbia Symphony, we have created this list of 5 tips to make any environment more sensory-friendly.
1. Foster an Affirming, Supportive Environment
You can make it clear that people can be themselves and tend to their needs from the start. You might encourage people to take breaks, stand up and move, or ask for help in the opening announcement. Another option is hanging signs like “Need a break? This way!” or “Ask for help if you need anything.” Consider how traditional customs in the particular environment (e.g. staying seated during a symphony orchestra) may be limiting and create a space that encourages people to make themselves comfortable in whatever way they need to.
2. Offer Soft Lighting
Fluorescent lights have a constant flicker that can be overstimulating to someone who is light-sensitive. Open windows and utilize natural lighting when possible instead. You may also consider adding lamps with “warm” or “soft” bulbs, dimmer switches, or buying light covers. Ideally, design the space with multiple lighting options to easily make adjustments as needed.
3. Reduce Noise Stimulation
Take a moment in the room to close your eyes and listen, noticing what environmental noises you hear. Is there any way to reduce these noises? If there is an echo, you might add more rugs and wall hangings to reduce it. Ticking wall clocks are an example of a somewhat quiet environmental sound that can be unnoticed by some but agitating to others. Try to eliminate or reduce these noise sources.
Additionally, create options for people to reduce noise on their own by offering earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. Having a separate quiet space to retreat to is also an excellent idea when extra rooms are available.
4. Reduce Visual Stimulation
Remove clutter and keep the space tidy to help improve focus and engagement. Consider that if there’s a lot of images/text in someone’s visual field, they may become distracted or overwhelmed by intensely focusing on that information.
5. Offer Tactile Sensory Regulation Items
Having something to do with our hands can be incredibly helpful to help people calm and focus with tactile sensory input. There are endless types of fidget toys available for purchase, including spinners, stress balls, chewy fidgets, and putty. Consider creating a sensory box with some of these items! Additionally, items like weighted blankets, sensory sacks, and compression vests can provide sensory input to help people to regulate in the moment.
*Neurodivergent: Someone whose brain works differently from what is considered the “norm.” This includes autistic people and people with ADHD or learning disabilities. Some definitions expand the term to also include people with mental illness, brain injuries, or dementia. Please see Walker, 2014 for more on Neurodiversity and the Neurodiversity Movement.