Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support
Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support 

School and Classroom Accommodations for Sensory Differences

Children with sensory differences ... painting the world beautiful. 

School and Classroom Accommodations for Sensory Differences

Jeanette Loftus

Sensory Processing Disorder School and Classroom Accommodations for Sensory Differences

Sensory processing disorder affects how we process the sensory input around us in our environment. It can be so overwhelming  for a child who struggles with sensory processing differences to go to school. This is why it is so important for teachers and parents to implement school and classroom accommodations.

These classroom and school accommodations create a supportive learning environment where neurodivergent children can be successful. This is a helpful guide covering different types of accommodations that can be made in a school settings or for their classroom to support their sensory differences. 

Creating a sensory friendly work environment is so important for children who have sensory differences. There are many different desk accommodations that could help a child while they are attending school. Some children will do better when they are offered flexible seating options such as bean bag chairs, stools, yoga balls or stand-up desks. 

Many children who struggle with sensory differences could be sensitive to noises and sounds and may require noise-cancelling headphones in their class to reduce sensory auditory input in their classrooms. Sensory fidgets can provide sensory input for children while in their classroom that are not disruptive. Fidgets will help them stay focused and regulated throughout the day. 

Here is a helpful list of some accommodations that could help children who have sensory differences while they are at their desk during the day at school. 

Desk Accommodations For Students
Desk close to teacher
TheraBand around chair legs
Provide wobble cushion
Allow standing
Avoid bright lights
Visual schedule
Distance between desks
Regulate desk clean outs
Illuminate clutter
Frequent sensory breaks
Weighted lap pad
Encourage organization
Fidget use at desk
Allow chewing gum/chewelry
Adjust desk to student’s height
Flexible seating (stool, yoga ball)

Desk Accommodations For Students Desk close to teacher  TheraBand around chair legs  Provide wobble cushion  Allow standing  Avoid bright lights  Visual schedule  Distance between desks  Regulate desk clean outs Illuminate clutter  Frequent sensory breaks  Weighted lap pad  Encourage organization  Fidget use at desk  Allow chewing gum/chewelry  Adjust desk to student’s height  Flexible seating (stool, yoga ball)

Writing can be very challenging for children who struggle with sensory differences and dysgraphia. There are a lot of different writing accommodations that teachers and parents can include in a child's school day to help them improve their writing skills or allowing children to use technology to type their assignments and class notes. 

Providing a child with different writing tools can be very beneficial for them. Using different writing tools can help a child work on their writing skills. Extended times given to a child to complete their writing assignments can ease their anxiety and improve their writing skills. 

Writing Accommodations for School
Use clay or dough before writing
Provide copy of class notes
Dictation/Scribe
Movement breaks
Assistive technology
Specialized pencils
Break down bigger tasks
Allow spellchecker
Allow typing/laptop
Give extra time
Pencil grips
Visual instructions
Angled writing desk
Lined paper
Lists of correct spelled words
Allow options to finish at home

Writing Accommodations for School Use clay or dough before writing Provide copy of class notes Dictation/Scribe  Movement breaks  Assistive technology  Specialized pencils Break down bigger tasks Allow spellchecker  Allow typing/laptop   Give extra time  Pencil grips  Visual instructions Angled writing desk  Lined paper  Lists of correct spelled words Allow options to finish at home

Reading can be very challenging for children who have sensory differences. There are some accommodations for teachers and parents to consider. Providing a designated quiet area or corner to read can cut down on distractions.

Allowing children to use audiobooks can be very beneficial.  Offering smaller reading groups in the classroom can provide a quiet setting and be beneficial for individualized support.

Accommodations For Reading At School
Dry erase markers/whiteboard
Use bookmark to keep place
Multiple choice worksheets
Allow reading out loud
Sensory breaks
Large graph paper
Use large fonts
Verbally ask questions
Allow text-to-speech
Read instructions out loud
Provide audio books
Minimize distractions
Offer class notes
Recording device for notes
Fill in the blank worksheets

Accommodations For Reading At School Dry erase markers/whiteboard Use bookmark to keep place  Multiple choice worksheets   Allow reading out loud  Sensory breaks Large graph paper  Use large fonts Verbally ask questions Allow text-to-speech  Read instructions out loud  Provide audio books Minimize distractions  Offer class notes Recording device for notes Fill in the blank worksheets

There are many ways we can support children with sensory processing disorder when they are struggling with their homework.  They need clear written or visual instructions with a structured homework schedule. Establishing a consistent homework routine at home can help children manage their time effectively and complete their homework. 

Breaking down homework tasks into smaller tasks can be very helpful. Dividing a child's assignments into smaller, manageable parts can reduce overwhelm and anxiety. Using checklists can help children see their progress, ease anxieties and feel more organized. 

Accommodations For Home Work
Less work than what is required
Extra time for assignments
Allow work to be scribed
Simplified instructions
Optional flexible seating
Sensory tools
Provide choices
Quiet work space
Special pencil/paper
Allow work to be typed
Don’t overwhelm child
Flexible due dates
One-on-one extra help
Communicate with parents
Assignments with less reading
Worksheets with less writing

Accommodations For Home Work Less work than what is required  Extra time for assignments  Allow work to be scribed Simplified instructions Optional flexible seating  Sensory tools  Provide choices Quiet work space  Special pencil/paper  Allow work to be typed   Don’t overwhelm child  Flexible due dates  One-on-one extra help Communicate with parents Assignments with less reading Worksheets with less writing

Transitions between activities at school can be particularly challenging for children who have sensory difficulties. There are several ways to make transitions at school easier for children to cope.

Using visual timers can provide clear indications of how much time is left before a transition happens. Remind children before transitioning to a new activity can help prepare them for what is next. Gradually transitioning can be very beneficial for children and giving them extra time to transition. This can  ease their anxieties. 

Some children may have a preferred route to take within the school. Let students choose the path they take during their transitions, this can avoid overstimulating spaces and let them go the way they feel more comfortable. 

Transition accommodations At School

Sensory friendly environment

Countdowns

Clear expectations

Use visual timers/clocks

Role playing

Sensory strategies

Give choices

Visual schedule

Be consistent

Transition comfort items

Offer reassurance

Prepare students ahead of time 

Transition accommodations At School Sensory friendly environment  Countdowns Clear expectations  Use visual timers/clocks  Role playing Sensory strategies  Give choices  Visual schedule  Be consistent  Transition comfort items  Offer reassurance  Prepare students ahead of time

Recess is very important for all students but it can be overwhelming for children who have sensory processing disorder. There are a lot of different accommodations that teachers can consider. 

There should be quiet zones that are designated sensory friendly spaces for children who need a sensory break during recess. Schools should consider having a sensory friendly outdoor space too for children to explore their senses and fill their sensory diet while attending school. 

Some children prefer to have structured activities and games because they crave sensory input and need movement breaks. 

Providing a schools buddy system can be very helpful for children. Pairing children with their peers can encourage an inclusive environment that supports social interactions at school. 

Accommodations For Recess At School

Expand social opportunities

Don’t take recess away

Offer sensory activities

Encourage inclusion

Use of sensory tools

Buddy system

Access to sensory room

Fill sensory diet

Take a break from school work

Accommodations For Recess At School  Expand social opportunities  Don’t take recess away Offer sensory activities  Encourage inclusion  Use of sensory tools  Buddy system  Access to sensory room Fill sensory diet  Take a break from school work

Including sensory movement breaks during the day at school can really benefit children with sensory difficulties. Scheduled sensory breaks throughout the day so children can stretch and move. Providing sensory calming activities can teach children different calming strategies such as deep breathing or mindfulness.

Children need movement in their daily schedule to be successful. Setting up different movement stations within the classroom like yoga mats for yoga or yoga balls to sit on can really help children focus and concentrate on school work. 

Sensory Movement Breaks at School
Ask child to pass out worksheets
Frequent bathroom breaks
Provide sensory tools
Playground for recess
Wobble seat cushions
Yoga or mindful activities
Physical education
Resistance bands on chair
Flexible seating options
Assign child as class messenger
Using sensory fidgets
Encourage class stretching
Allow drink breaks when needed
Singing songs about movement

Sensory Movement Breaks at School Ask child to pass out worksheets Frequent bathroom breaks Provide sensory tools  Playground for recess  Wobble seat cushions  Yoga or mindful activities  Physical education  Resistance bands on chair  Flexible seating options  Assign child as class messenger  Using sensory fidgets  Encourage class stretching  Allow drink breaks when needed Singing songs about movement

Creating a sensory friendly school can support all children, including children who have sensory differences. Sensory success while at school means having an inclusive environment where all children feel supported. 

All teachers, staff and peers should be provided with training about sensory differences to encourage understanding and compassion.  Children need positive reinforcement and recognizing their small achievements can encourage and motivate a child to engage more while they are at school.  

There should be collaborative planning that involves parents, teachers and the child's occupational therapist to develop a plan that is tailored to each child's needs. Having a flexible curriculum with adapted lesson plans can benefit all children. 

Sensory Success At School
Sensory breaks during the day
Notice of fire drills
Sensory friendly classroom
Communicate with parents
Homework supports
Allow use of technology
Providing IEP or 504 plan
Allow sensory fidgets
Noise cancelling headphones
Consistent routine
Allow comfortable clothing
Be mindful of sensory triggers
Encourage movement breaks
Visual supports in classroom
Allow gum and chewelry

Sensory Success At School Sensory breaks during the day  Notice of fire drills  Sensory friendly classroom Communicate with parents  Homework supports Allow use of technology  Providing IEP or 504 plan  Allow sensory fidgets Noise cancelling headphones Consistent routine  Allow comfortable clothing  Be mindful of sensory triggers Encourage movement breaks  Visual supports in classroom Allow gum and chewelry

It is important to include sensory strategies in a child's school day such as desk, writing, recess, reading and homework throughout the day.

Teachers can make a big difference in the life of a child with sensory differences while they attend school. Between teachers, parents and their therapists, students can feel supported and empowered while being at school. School can be a comfortable and inclusive environment for all children. 

Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support 

Sensory Processing Disorder Resources  

Supporting, learning, sharing and growing together.
Neurodiversity, Neurodivergent & Embracing Differences
Sensory Diet Auditory Therapy Toys For Children
Sensory Processing Disorder Supporting Neurodivergent Children at School
Bean's Sensory Recipes Sensory Processing Disorder Sensory Play Play doh play-doh
DISCLAIMER: I have learned a lot over the years but I am still learning. Always do your own research and exercise sound judgment. I am not an occupational therapist or a physician. I am an adult who has sensory processing disorder, a sensory parent and a Grandma. The information on this website is not medical advice and does not replace the information that your child's therapists or medical professionals give you. These are just ideas that I have learned myself over the years of being a parent and an adult living with SPD. If you are concerned for your child, please always seek medical attention through a family doctor, pediatrician or therapist. This website is for awareness and support purposes only. Each child is different and what works for one child may not for another because all children have different sensory needs. Please always consult with a professional. 
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