Homes are typically comfortable environments, filled with things that help us feel relaxed. However, for some, the home environment may not always provide this sense of calm. Many children and adults face challenges in processing the various sensations in the environment. Some individuals need more sensory input to feel relaxed, while others require less.
Unlike the external environment, which is often out of their control, the home can be adjusted to meet sensory needs. By making thoughtful changes to the home environment, we can create a space that promotes calmness, relaxation, and rest for everyone living there.
The following are ideas of how you can alter the home environment to support those in your household with sensory needs.
Sensory seeking activities/tools: Some children require more sensory input to feel calm and regulated. Kids who require more sensory input may look fidgety, unable to sit still and restless.
Activities
- Using couch, cushions and bean bags to create crash landings. Providing opportunities for big movement; running, jumping and crashing
- Making a sensory path with pillows/cushions and encourage the child to walk/crawl over.
- Crawling underneath blankets
- Tasks such as baking, arts and crafts and gardening for tactile input.
- Draw a loop on the driveway and encourage the child to ride their bike/scooter around repeatedly.
- Barefoot walk outside- walking on different surfaces like grass, stones, concrete.
- Burrito blanket: choosing a blanket and rolling the child up firmly in a blanket.
- Swiss ball roll: with the child lying flat on their tummy, roll a Swiss ball over the child using gentle pressure.
- Cushion sandwich: with the child lying flat on their tummy, play pillows on their back and gently push down, adding more pillows/blankets if needed.
Tools
- Hammocks and swings
- Bean bags
- Weighted or heavy blankets
- Rocking chairs or rocking horse
- Trampoline
- Diffusers with essential oils
- Fidget toys
Sensory sensitivity tools/modifications: Some children are more sensitive to certain sensory input than others, becoming more easily overwhelmed. These children may appear easily frustrated, low mood, withdrawn or may complain about the things in the environment that is upsetting them.
Tools
- Earmuffs
- Calming music
- Routine and visual schedules
- Sensory/compression sheets
- Weighted blankets
Home modifications to consider
- Lighting-natural, warm lighting or LED light bulbs
- Reducing clutter and mess where possible
- Making a calm corner- a small place in the house that can be made completely dark and quiet.
- Using clear organisation- labelled containers, having a designated spot for everything.
- Consider using soft colours like light blues, light green and lavender in décor.
Taking small steps to make the home a place where the child can reach their sensory needs will make a world of difference to the child. This will influence the home to be even more of a safe and comfortable space for the child to relax and rest.
Making small adjustments to create a home that meets your child’s sensory needs can significantly enhance their well-being. This is an important part of ensuring that the home is a safe and comfortable environment where the child can feel at ease and have fun!
Written by
Cassie Welsh, NZROT
Occupational Therapist
