1. for Creating Sensory Friendly Spaces
Checklist
for Creating Sensory Friendly Spaces

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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!

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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