for Creating Sensory Friendly Spaces Checklist for Creating Sensory Friendly Spaces

Checklist: The Visual Environment Structured classroom layout, with clearly defined areas Toys and tools are stored in labeled containers Classroom is free of clutter Problematic shelves are covered Art and decorations are limited to specific locations Some spaces on the walls are free of decorations Plenty of natural light A work desk and/or partitions available

Checklist: The Auditory Environment Room has soft furnishing to absorb reverberation Quieter work spaces available Quiet relaxation space available Access to music with headphones, ear plugs/ear defenders Expectations about appropriate noise levels for the activity are communicated clearly Level of noise is monitored periodically Opportunities for quiet activities are built into the day (DEAR time, individual work, mindfulness)

Checklist: The Sensory Area A pop-up tent A beanbag chair Music player and headphones Blanket to wrap a child in Heavy cushions Lava lamp, glitter bottles Stress-reducing squeeze toys Eye masks A therapy ball for bouncing IKEA egg chair Teeter-totter Scented markers and stickers Kinetic sand or rice table And more… be creative!

Checklist: Sensory Tools Therapy ball Inflated disc cushions Theraband Fidgets Chewystixx, chewy gems Chewing gum Visual timers Ear plugs/Ear defenders Pop-up partitions/privacy boards Soft pencil grips and weighted pencils

Checklist: You Your tone of voice Your actions, your movements Proximity, eye contact Smells, perfumes, after-shave Dazzling, sparkly jewelry Patterned clothes Texture of clothes Make-up, bright lipstick

Checklist: Management Clear rules around the use of the sensory area and sensory tools Access to the sensory area and tools is carefully planned and scheduled The sensory area is never used as a time-out or to remove a student from the group Appropriate use of the area and tools is acknowledged/reinforce d Teacher models how to think about and respond to students’ sensory behaviour