6 Benefits of Sensory Rooms in Schools for Kids with Autism

What are the benefits of sensory rooms in schools? A sensory room is a designated space created to support students’ individual sensory preferences and sensory needs. They have several benefits including helping with self-regulation, providing rest, reducing sensory overload and more. The use of a sensory room is one of my favorite calm down strategies to use with children with autism at school. It is the perfect space for sensory activities for kids with autism.

6 Benefits of Sensory Rooms in Schools

Reduce sensory overload

Avoid sensory overload by taking time for sensory experiences during the day. Many autistic children have issues with sensory processing, meaning their senses become overstimulated throughout the day.

Provide sensory stimulation

Sensory rooms in schools provide sensory stimulation for children on the autism spectrum.

For little learners who tend to chew on everything, it can help to have autism chew toys on hand for use in the sensory room.

Create space for rest

The school day can present a variety of challenges for autistic learners that can result in sensory overload, frustration and exhaustion.

Having a dedicated sensory space provides a place for your students to rest and relax can help students with autism feel happier, better rested and more relaxed at school.

Promote self-regulation

Self-regulation is an individual’s ability to manage emotions, energy levels, attention and behaviors. This can be a challenge for children on the autism spectrum, especially if they don’t have adequate time to interpret and manage the sensory stimulation in their environments.

Having access to a sensory room at school makes it easier for autistic students to self-regulate throughout the school day. This will result in better attention and increased readiness to learn at school.

Provide sensory breaks

Sensory breaks are the perfect time to move around, let out energy and refocus before going back into deep classroom work. By having a sensory room at school, you will be able to provide regular sensory breaks for your students.

Choose one of these sensory break ideas.

Teach new skills

Sensory rooms in schools can be the perfect place to teach new skills.

If your little learners are motivated by sensory experiences, why not use time in a sensory space as an opportunity to teach new skills?

Build vocabulary skills, teach independent play skills or use my printable autism workbooks in your school sensory space.

Materials I love to add to sensory spaces in classrooms

(We have included affiliate links for your convenience. You can read our disclosures here.)

Lava Lamps
Music (& headphones)
Noise-cancelling headphones (I also LOVE these mini noise-cancelling headphones for a doll or stuffed animal! So cute!)
Pillows and blankets
Bean bags
Sensory table (& a variety of sensory materials)
DIY fidgets
Sensory bottles (I love this DIY ocean in a bottle)
Sensory boxes (these are my 25+ favorite sensory box ideas)
Best Sensory Toys for Kids with Autism

More Autism Resources

The Successful Interaction with a Child with Autism Course – learn to better understand your autistic child or students with this complete course.
Autism Activities Workbook Bundle – build communication skills, fine motor skills, sensory play skills and daily living skills, while helping your child or students to successfully manage any difficult behaviors, with these fun, educational, printable activities.
Autism Activities Vault – your collection of 420+ autism activities for the entire school year.
Sensory Communication Workbook – Build communication skills with simple sensory activities.
How to Make a Communication Binder Guide & Workbook – Learn how to create a Communication Binder for your child or student with autism using real photos. Follow my expert guide to learn how to use it to increase communication skills.
Autism Adapted Books Bundle – build communication skills with my collection of printable adapted books for autistic learners.
Autism Social Stories Bundle – a collection of printable social stories to help your little learners work on their social skills.
Zoo Animals Play Dough Mats Bundle – use these printable play dough mat to work on the names of the animals, build language skills, and increase fine motor strength and precision in a fun, sensory way!

Benefits of Sensory Rooms in Schools

There are many benefits of sensory rooms in schools for kids with autism. Have you had success using a sensory room at school with your little learners? Let us know!