Creating a home sensory room doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. You can design a space that meets your needs with thoughtful planning and creativity. In this article, we’ll explore home sensory room ideas, tips for designing one, and the benefits of having a sensory space in your home.

What is a Sensory Room?

A sensory room is a safe, controlled environment where individuals can explore their senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and even movement—in a way that feels comfortable and engaging. These rooms can:

• Calm overstimulation

• Encourage focus and concentration

• Promote relaxation

• Stimulate sensory exploration

It is best to design sensory rooms to suit different needs, whether creating a calming space for relaxation or an active area for sensory exploration.

Where Can I Put a Sensory Room in My House?

When creating a sensory space in the home, choose a quiet, comfortable, and free from distractions location. A spare bedroom, office, corner of a living room or bedroom, or even a walk-in closet can be transformed into a sensory room.

Ideally, the space should be away from high-traffic areas to minimize noise and interruptions. Use natural lighting and soft, soothing colors to enhance the environment. For those with limited space, a designated nook with a small tent, bean bag chair, or weighted blankets can create a cozy, effective sensory retreat.

Tips for Designing a Home Sensory Room

• Assess Your Space: Choose a quiet, low-traffic area in your home. Even a small corner can be transformed into a sensory space.

• Consider Individual Needs: Tailor the room to the person’s specific sensory preferences. Some individuals may need calming elements, while others may need more stimulation.

• Keep Safety in Mind: Ensure all equipment and materials are safe and age-appropriate. Secure heavy items and avoid sharp edges.

• Start Small: You don’t need to invest in expensive equipment immediately. Start with a few key items and expand over time.

• Get Everyone Involved: If possible, involve the person who will use the room in the planning process to make sure it meets their needs and preferences.

Key Elements of a Sensory Room

1. Lighting

Lighting plays an important role in setting the mood of a sensory room. Opt for soft, adjustable lighting to create a calming atmosphere.

• Visual Lamps: Jellyfish lamps and tornado lamps create soothing visual effects.

• Projectors: Small projector toys can transform your sensory room into an engaging visual retreat. Our favorite is the Tranquil Turtle.

• Dimming Options: A light dimmer switch can adjust brightness to meet different needs.

2. Textures and Tactile Stimulation

Incorporate a variety of textures to engage the sense of touch.

• Soft Rugs and Cushions: A cocoon-style beanbag chair and a weighted blanket provide comfort and coziness.

• Tactile Toys: Sequin snakes, sensory discs, and touch-and-match boards allow tactile exploration without making a mess.

• Fidget Toys: Stress balls and fidgets provide an appropriate outlet for fidgeting. Our fidget set has a collection of quiet and durable fidgets that are perfect for your sensory room.

3. Sound

Sound can either calm or stimulate, depending on the individual’s needs.

• White Noise Machines: Mask distracting sounds.

• Calming Music: Playlists with nature sounds or soft instrumental music.

• Noise-Canceling Headphones: Help individuals calm down and regulate their sensory input.

4. Movement and Balance

For those who benefit from physical activity, include elements that encourage movement.

• Swing Chairs: Provide gentle rocking motion for relaxation.

• Balance Boards: Improve coordination and focus.

• Crash Mats: Offer a safe space for jumping or rolling.

5. Aromatherapy

Scents can have a powerful impact on mood and relaxation.

• Essential Oil Diffusers: Use calming scents like lavender, chamomile, or eucalyptus.

• Scented Playdough: Combines tactile and olfactory stimulation.

Create an Outdoor Sensory Space

If you have outdoor space, consider creating a sensory-friendly garden or retreat that engages the senses in a natural setting. Outdoor sensory spaces can offer fresh air, movement opportunities, and natural textures beneficial for relaxation and sensory exploration.

Elements to Include:

• Soft & Varied Ground Textures: Grass, sand, smooth stones, or a small patch of artificial turf for safe barefoot walking.

• Sound Elements: Wind chimes, a small water fountain, or rustling plants like bamboo add soothing auditory stimulation.

• Aromatherapy with Nature: Lavender, mint, rosemary, or chamomile plants provide gentle, calming scents.

• Movement & Balance Features: A simple swing, a hammock, or stepping stones can support proprioceptive and vestibular input.

Outdoor sensory spaces encourage both relaxation and physical movement, making them a great extension of an indoor sensory room.

Sensory Rooms for Different Needs

Sensory rooms can support a variety of individuals, from those with ADHD, sensory challenges, or autism to adults managing stress, PTSD, or dementia.

• For Autism & Sensory Processing Disorders: Dimmable lighting, weighted blankets, and quiet spaces for self-regulation.

• For ADHD: Balance between calming and stimulating elements, such as resistance bands and noise-canceling headphones.

• For PTSD & Anxiety: A calming environment with soothing sounds, aromatherapy, and deep-pressure tools.

• For Dementia & Seniors: Nostalgic sensory items, soft music from their era, and simple fidget objects.

Maintenance & Cleaning Tips for Sensory Rooms

• Washable Soft Furnishings: Use machine-washable covers for cushions and weighted blankets.

• Easy-to-Clean Sensory Toys: Choose stress balls, or sensory discs that are easy to wipe down.

• Check for Wear & Tear: Inspect weighted blankets for tears and ensure that swings are securely installed and inspected regularly.

Home Sensory Room FAQs

How can I create a home sensory room on a budget?

• DIY sensory boards using household items like fabric scraps and buttons.

• Repurpose existing furniture with sensory-friendly accessories.

• Find affordable lighting, decor, and toys at thrift stores.

What are the benefits of having a sensory room in my home?

• Supports sensory processing needs and reduces overwhelm.

• Promotes relaxation and stress relief.

• Improves focus and behavior.

• Accessible for all ages.

How much does it cost to create a sensory room?

A basic setup with DIY elements can cost under $100, while a fully equipped sensory space may range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

What colors should I use in a sensory room?

• Calming spaces: Soft blues, greens, and pastels.

• Stimulating spaces: Bright colors like orange and yellow.

Do I need a large space to create a sensory room?

No, you can transform even a small corner, closet, or section of a larger room into an effective sensory space.

What are some calming sensory room ideas?

• Soft, dimmable lighting.

• Weighted blankets or lap pads.

• White noise machines or calming music.

• Aromatherapy diffusers with lavender or chamomile.

What are some stimulating sensory room ideas?

• Bright, colorful toys with flashing lights.

• Interactive light-up balls or musical instruments.

• Swings or balance boards for movement.

• Sensory bins with rice, beans, or sand for tactile play.

Final Thoughts

A home sensory room can be a transformative addition to your living space, providing a safe and supportive environment for relaxation, exploration, and sensory regulation. Start small, get creative, and enjoy the process of designing a sensory room that brings joy and comfort to your home.

Background Knowledge: the Key to Amplifying Reading Comprehension

You’ve spent the entire morning teaching inferencing skills, and you’ve just read a story about the amazing sites seen by Flick, a beautiful animal that has finally taken flight after metamorphosis. You ask a student who is very engaged with the story to make an inference by sharing two things that might have taken place right before the animal took flight. Your student says the animal probably made a nest and ate a worm. It’s not that your student doesn’t comprehend what the story is saying; they just don’t have the background knowledge needed to make a logical inference! 

You can teach inferences all day long, but if your students don’t possess relevant knowledge related to what you are talking or reading about, it quickly becomes a tough uphill climb. We’re talking about background knowledge - the information someone already has about a topic. Background knowledge is gathered and stored in our long-term memory through real-life experiences, reading, watching, and listening. We bring our own personal bundles of background knowledge to every situation we encounter, including reading.

Here’s what we know - reading comprehension is an outcome, and it’s the overall goal: it’s a result of a combination of skills that weave together somewhat behind the scenes to help us understand what we read. Scarborough’s famous Reading Rope identifies background knowledge as a vital part of the language comprehension strand of reading comprehension. In Building Background Knowledge for Academic Achievement, Robert J. Marzano explains how crucial it is to overcome a lack of background knowledge that impedes the achievement of many students. 

As teachers, we’ve heard about the importance of background knowledge for decades. But in our quest to build stronger reading comprehension skills as measured by student scores on standardized tests, we often skip or skim over it as we try to help students focus on isolated state standards like finding the main idea, predicting, and making inferences. Building background knowledge, and using that knowledge to link new vocabulary and envision a relevant schema, is HUGE! It’s the firm foundation on which we build and practice the more readily measured comprehension skills. For example, when you make an inference, you use two things: information from the text AND your prior knowledge. Background knowledge actually helps minimize the impact of weaknesses in other reading skills. It’s also a foundation for building essential life skills. Students who have background knowledge and can infer will be able to pick up implied information in everyday conversations. The benefits of investing time in building background knowledge are significant and long-lasting!

One challenge with today’s culture and technology is that it’s easy for students to collect fragments of knowledge that are loosely or not connected, partial in meaning, or shallow; students often do not slow down to think about information long enough and deeply enough to let it become a meaningful part of their fund of knowledge or their schema. Consequently, they don’t develop the “hooks” where they can firmly attach relevant information, grow neural networks, and think critically in order to predict, infer, and understand. Our students on the spectrum are often disadvantaged because they may be very good at focusing on details yet struggle to create mental images from words, categorize, generalize, or see the big picture. This makes it especially hard for them to identify relevant prior knowledge, relate new information to that knowledge, link details together, classify, infer, and draw conclusions. 

It’s our job to help students build context and background knowledge so that they can more fully engage with what they hear and read. We have to think, plan, and teach strategically because there are always some pieces of prior knowledge on which to build, even if those pieces are very basic. Finding creative ways to promote curiosity and help our students connect with new knowledge is fun.

As a teacher and a parent, I constantly look for ways to build background knowledge and link new knowledge. Field trips and virtual field trips are concrete places to start. Many online videos are readily available, and the visuals and action are great for establishing and maintaining engagement. It’s helpful to frontload video clips by posing a question or suggesting what students can look for as they watch. Think-Pair-Share is an active learning strategy that can be followed by the teacher asking a question, giving students time to think about it, visiting with a person next to them, and finally sharing with the class. Think-Pair-Share is a positive way to help timid or resistant students begin to communicate with one other person and eventually grow into being able to share with the class.

Another powerful, evidence-based activity that engages students with prior knowledge is to use K-W-L charts (Donna Ogle, 1986). K-W-L has been around for decades and is still an effective tool for all ages. When teachers use the K-W-L graphic organizer, they coach students to activate prior knowledge (K: What I Know), identify their purpose for reading (W: What I Want to Know), and sum up what they’ve read (L: What I’ve Learned). This strategy is valuable because it can be used in many different academic settings, and it provides a concrete structure for students to organize information before, during, and after reading or listening. K-W-L is also powerful because it encourages growth in social communication skills as students brainstorm together, share their own experiences, and take time to reflect. 

While we always want to encourage sustained reading, many struggling readers need short, informative reading passages to build background knowledge, provide reading practice, and develop targeted reading comprehension strategies simultaneously. We want the biggest bang for our buck. Rather than rushing from one skill standard to another, we need to be willing to sit patiently with our students, model curiosity, and think deeply about what we are reading and exploring. When we frontload passages meaningfully, we clarify the purpose of reading and link new reading to prior knowledge. Using multiple modalities, we help build layers of background knowledge that form strong networks in long-term memory.  One of my students’ favorite reading activities a couple of years ago was when we studied the history and current interest in yo-yos using historical records, engaging videos, and several high-interest texts. The kids loved experimenting with different types of yo-yos, learning yo-yo tricks, and watching related videos. They read how and when yo-yos became popular, as well as about potential and kinetic energy, gravitational pull, and momentum. They discovered the differences that make some yo-yos great and some yo-yos duds. Several students tracked me down the following year to show me a new yo-yo trick they had learned over the summer. They told me they had investigated to find the best quality yo-yo, why people liked it, where it could be purchased, the price, and who won with it in national competitions. These kids were independently continuing to build background knowledge and life skills beyond the confines of a worksheet or a classroom. It is time well spent when we use our students’ interests to boost their motivation to read, build their fund of knowledge, and strengthen life skills. 

When we harness the power of interesting nonfiction passages, we can promote a culture of knowledge-building while increasing our students’ internal motivation to read and strengthening specific reading strategies. Some of my favorites include the following series, which can be used in various settings. 

• Hi/Lo Reading stories are very basic, yet they can provide a simple, motivating springboard for knowledge building that utilizes high-interest reading passages with a low reading level. 

• High-interest nonfiction Comprehension Quickies is another user-friendly resource that is great for students with short attention spans and reluctant readers of all ages. Because the passages are brief, they can easily be used as bell ringers or exit tickets. Although the passages are interesting for all ages through high school, they are written on 1st through 5th-grade reading levels. The reading levels are discretely identified with symbols on each passage, and the passages are arranged in the binder according to difficulty. 

• The Daily Comprehension Series provides a high-interest nonfiction story every day, chosen for its significance on that particular date. Students look forward to finding out something interesting related to each day. The research has already been done, so passages are ready to use without extra prep time. It’s like providing students a daily “fund of knowledge” vitamin! 

• The captivating real-world science and history short stories in the High-Interest Nonfiction binder are fascinating and content-rich; they build students’ fund of knowledge, develop vocabulary, and pose comprehension questions that require students to implement reading strategy skills. They also prompt further research to build even more knowledge. The stories are ideal for pairing with science and history units throughout the year.  

• I love mysteries, so one of my favorite collections is our High-Interest Mini Mysteries Binder, which pairs nonfiction and informational text about real locations with fun mini-mysteries. Virtual field trips can help introduce locations and engage students in learning. Students participate in “before you read" activities that provide background information, map skills, new vocabulary, and discussion of what they already know and predictions. Students then read a nonfiction passage and answer related comprehension questions. The following passage is the fictional mini-mystery that takes place in the location just studied. As students think about clues, they are motivated to think deeply. Finally, students practice reading strategies as they complete comprehension questions that promote critical thinking. They answer questions about the main idea, drawing conclusions, analogy, inference, cause and effect, vocabulary, fact/opinion, and prediction.

Pair some of these great nonfiction resources with creativity and evidence-based methods to invest in your student’s fund of knowledge! When you create a culture of providing more and more background information for your students, even in bite-size pieces, you will see growth in their critical thinking skills. Best of all, your student’s curiosity and internal motivation for reading, listening, and learning grow - and that’s a lifetime win!

References:

The Reading League. (2023). The reading rope: Key ideas behind the metaphor. Retrieved from https://www.thereadingleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/TRLC-Educators-and-Specialists-The-Reading-Rope-Key-Ideas-Behind-the-Metaphor.pdf

González, N., Moll, L. C., & Amanti, C. (Eds.). (2005). Funds of knowledge: Theorizing practices in households, communities, and classrooms. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Retrieved from https://fundsofknowledge.org/the-funds-of-knowledge-approach/

McGraw Hill Education. (n.d.). Knowledge building and the science of literacy. Retrieved from https://www.mheducation.com/prek-12/explore/science-of-literacy/knowledge-building.html#:~:text=Why%20is%20building%20knowledge%20important,the%20more%20you%20can%20learn.

Reading Resource. (n.d.). Teaching reading comprehension. Retrieved from https://www.readingresource.net/teachingreadingcomprehension.html#google_vignette

Smith, R., Snow, P., Serry, T., & Hammond, L. (2021). The Role of Background Knowledge in Reading Comprehension: A Critical Review. Reading Psychology, 42(3), 214–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/02702711.2021.1888348

Finding effective calming strategies for autism can make a world of difference for children and adults with sensory processing challenges. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, meltdowns, or overstimulation, this guide shares 10 proven calming techniques and top-rated sensory tools to help your loved one feel safe, secure, and in control. From deep pressure therapy to visual calming tools, discover practical solutions you can use at home, school, or on the go.

What Are Calming Strategies for Autism?

Calming strategies are techniques and tools designed to help individuals with autism regulate their emotions, reduce anxiety, and manage sensory overload. These strategies are especially helpful during times of stress, transition, or overstimulation. Calming strategies can prevent meltdowns and promote a sense of security by providing sensory input or creating a predictable environment.

Top 10 Calming Strategies for Autism

1. Deep Pressure Therapy

Deep pressure therapy involves applying gentle, firm pressure to the body to promote relaxation. This can be achieved through:

• Weighted blankets: Perfect for bedtime or quiet time.
• Weighted vests: Ideal for use during the day.
• Compression clothing: Provides constant, calming pressure.

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2. Sensory Bottles or Sensory Sticks

Sensory bottles are visually stimulating tools filled with glitter, beads, or liquid that can help calm an overstimulated mind. They’re great for:

• Redirecting focus.
• Providing a calming visual distraction.

Shop Sensory Sticks

3. Calming Visual Tools

Visual supports like calming lighting can create a soothing environment. These tools are beneficial for:

• Reducing anxiety.
• Creating a calm environment.

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4. Breathing Exercises

Teach simple breathing techniques to help your child self-regulate. For example:

• Balloon breathing: Inhale deeply, imagining filling a balloon, then exhale slowly.
• Use breathing visual aids to guide the process.

5. Fidget Toys

Fidget toys provide tactile stimulation, helping to channel restless energy and improve focus. Popular options include:

• Stress balls.
• Tangle toys.

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6. Noise-Canceling Headphones

Loud or unexpected noises can be overwhelming for individuals with autism. Noise-canceling headphones can:

• Reduce auditory overstimulation.
• Create a quieter, more comfortable environment.

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7. Safe Spaces

Create a calm-down corner or safe space where your child can retreat when feeling overwhelmed. Include:

• Soft seating or bean bags.
• Calming sensory tools.
• Visual schedules to guide the process.

8. Social Stories

Social stories are short, descriptive narratives that explain social situations and appropriate responses. They can help:

• Reduce anxiety about new experiences.
• Teach coping strategies for challenging situations.

9. Routine and Predictability

Maintaining a consistent routine can provide a sense of security. Use visual schedules to:

• Outline daily activities.
• Prepare for transitions.

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10. Calming Music or White Noise

Soft, calming music or white noise can help drown out distracting sounds and create a relaxing atmosphere. Try:

• White noise machines.
• Calming playlists designed for relaxation.

Best Calming Tools for Autism

In addition to the strategies above, here are some of the best calming tools for autism available at National Autism Resources:

• Weighted Lap Pads: Perfect for on-the-go calming.
• Chewable Pendants: Provide oral sensory input.
• Calming Light Projectors: Create a soothing visual environment.

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FAQs About Calming Strategies for Autism

Q: What are the best calming strategies for autism meltdowns?

A: Deep pressure therapy, weighted blankets, and calming visual tools effectively reduce meltdowns and promote relaxation.

Q: How can I calm an autistic child at school?

A: Use fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones, and visual schedules to support understanding and help your student stay calm and focused in the classroom.

Q: Are sensory tools effective for calming autism?

A: Yes! Plenty of research now shows that providing sensory input can help regulate emotions and reduce anxiety.

Conclusion

Calming strategies for autism are essential for helping individuals manage anxiety, sensory overload, and meltdowns. You can create a calming environment that promotes emotional regulation and well-being by incorporating tools like weighted blankets, fidget toys, and visual supports. Explore our collection of autism-friendly calming tools at National Autism Resources and discover the perfect solutions for your loved one’s needs.

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Finding a calming gift for someone on the spectrum is a thoughtful way to show you care. If possible, choose durable, well-made products that can withstand frequent use. Also try to make sure that gifts are age-appropriate and safe for the individual. Finally, keep in mind the developmental age of your loved one as you look for a gift.

Calming Deep Pressure

Deep pressure can create a calming effect by stimulating the body's proprioceptive system, which helps individuals understand their body’s position in space. The sensation of deep pressure can also provide a feeling of security and grounding, which is particularly comforting for individuals who may feel overwhelmed. This type of pressure triggers the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. Studies have shown that deep pressure helps to lower heart rates, facilitating an overall sense of calm and well-being.

• Weighted Blankets: A popular choice for bedtime, weighted blankets can help improve sleep quality.
• Weighted Lap Pads: Ideal for use at home or school, weighted lap pads can provide comfort and focus during seated activities.
• Weighted Stuffed Animals: These combine the comfort of a plush toy with the calming effect of weight.

Swings: an Instant Calming Place

Swings provide soothing vestibular stimulation through their rhythmic motion, helping to regulate sensory input and promote relaxation. They also create a safe, predictable space, allowing autistic individuals to feel grounded and secure. As an added benefit some swings also provide soothing deep pressure. These factors combine to make swings a popular choice for providing comfort and relaxation.

Visually Calming Gifts

Visually calming items can foster a peaceful environment, support sensory regulation, and make great gifts for individuals on the spectrum. Items such as liquid timers, specialized lamps, and sensory light projectors engage the visual senses and can help reduce anxiety and overstimulation. The soft colors and gentle movements of these visuals can draw attention, providing a focal point that promotes relaxation and distraction from overwhelming stimuli.

Fidget Toys

Fidget toys can help provide sensory input and focus. The repetitive motion and tactile experiences involved in using fidget toys can provide a calming distraction, reduce restlessness, and promote a sense of control. By engaging the hands, these toys can help redirect attention away from overwhelming thoughts or environments, allowing for greater emotional regulation. There are a wide variety of fidgets designed for all ages, with different textures and movements to choose from.

Two More Items to Consider:

Noise-Canceling Headphones For those sensitive to sound, noise-canceling headphones can create a peaceful environment, whether at home or in public. Look for options that are comfortable and adjustable.

Chewable Jewelry: The act of chewing is very calming. There are many safe and durable options for those who seek oral sensory input.

Choosing a calming gift involves understanding an individual’s unique sensory preferences and emotional needs. By considering the various options outlined in this guide, you can find a thoughtful gift that promotes relaxation, comfort, and joy.

* Bestbier L, Williams TI. The Immediate Effects of Deep Pressure on Young People with Autism and Severe Intellectual Difficulties: Demonstrating Individual Differences. Occup Ther Int. 2017;2017:7534972. Published 2017 Jan 9. doi:10.1155/2017/7534972

Choosing sensory toys and gifts can provide the ones you love with a range of therapeutic benefits, from promoting relaxation to enhancing focus. Finding the right sensory toys can significantly enhance the well-being and development of children, especially those with sensory processing challenges including autism. This expanded gift guide offers additional options from National Autism Resources to cater to diverse sensory needs.

Visual Sensory Toys

Visual sensory toys can captivate attention, become a soothing distraction, and provide a calming effect. The color-changing Tornado Lamp and Tranquil Turtle provide both visual and calming benefits. Their soft, changing hues create a soothing ambiance that can help kids and adults unwind. These items make an excellent addition to home sensory spaces and work well as a nightlight, providing comfort during bedtime routines.

Bubble Tubes are a fantastic option for creating a soothing environment. These colorful, light-filled tubes feature bubbling water and floating shapes, providing visual stimulation that can help children relax. We also offer a smaller bubble tube that includes jellyfish. It’s perfect for use at home, in sensory rooms, or as a calming visual focal point for a classroom.

For a more interactive visual experience, consider the Lunar Light Show or Diamond Lamp. These items come with a small controller that allows you to customize colors and the way the light transitions.

Some fun smaller interactive visual gifts include the Liquid Timer and Light Up Bubble Blaster. The liquid timer features colorful liquid bubbles that move and flow as you turn it over, capturing attention and promoting relaxation. The bubble blaster lights up and shoots out a cascade of bubbles with a press of a button and is a lot of fun for highly visual kids.

Tactile Play

Engaging children in tactile play can help them develop essential sensory processing skills. The Super Sensory Kit includes a variety of hands-on sensory experiences. This set encourages creativity and fine motor skill development, making it an ideal gift for encouraging imaginative play.

Fidget toys are a fantastic way to provide tactile play that’s not messy. They can also help with focus and anxiety. Here are a few of our favorites:

• The Tangle Jr. Fidget Toy is a classic choice, designed with interconnected, flexible segments that encourage twisting and turning. Its tactile nature keeps hands busy while providing a calming effect, making it perfect for classrooms or home use.
• Sensory Discs offer a variety of tactile experiences, from colorful beads to intriguing textures, providing tons of sensory feedback to explore. Each sensory disc features a unique sensation to touch, squeeze, and observe, making them a great choice for creating soothing and interactive play opportunities.
• Our spinner rings have an outer band that spins around the actual ring. These quiet rings fit comfortably on your finger and provide endless hours of quiet movement that won't distract others.
• The playableART Ball is a mesmerizing fidget that is perfect for all ages– the colorful wooden balls glide smoothly in your hands, letting you manipulate this 3-D sculpture into an endless number of creative configurations.

Not sure which fidget to pick? Then try our fidget set. It includes a variety of our most popular fidgets and makes a great gift.

Auditory Sensory Toys

For children who seek auditory input, sound-based toys can be both entertaining and soothing. The Voice Changer is an interactive option that allows kids to explore vocalization with buttons that change the sound of their voice and lights. Another excellent auditory choice is the Klickity, which creates a clicking sound as a child moves each colorful lever.

A current customer favorite are Pop Tubes. These tubes make a fun popping sound as you move them and are a great pick for stocking stuffers. The Flip & Clack is another popular choice– this tactile fidget provides a satisfying series of clicks and clacks as you turn it in your hands.

The Vestibular Sense: Toys to Help Balance & Coordination

One sense we rarely talk about is the vestibular sense. The vestibular sense is the body's ability to perceive its orientation and movement in space, helping to maintain balance and spatial awareness through the detection of changes in head position and motion. Swings are an excellent addition to any play space, providing a safe space for children to get vestibular input and experience the calming effects of swinging.

Some more options that help are the Bouncy Board, Carousel Spinning Chair, Dizzy Disc, and the Rotator. Each of these items build balance and spatial awareness.

For more items that stimulate the vestibular sense, check out our Gross Motor & Balance selection.

Calming Sensory Weighted Gifts -

Sensory weighted gifts can provide comfort and grounding through gentle deep pressure. These gifts can include weighted blankets, lap pads, or stuffed animals, all of which deliver a calming effect that can help reduce anxiety and improve focus. The weight mimics the feeling of a gentle hug, promoting relaxation and security. By incorporating soothing textures and calming colors, sensory weighted gifts can provide an interesting tactile experience and create a cozy environment.

Chewable Jewelry

For children who need oral sensory input, chewable jewelry can be both fashionable and functional. The Brick Stick Necklace is a popular choice that provides a safe chewing option, is discreet, and provides interesting textures. Made in the USA from non-toxic materials, it’s ideal for older children who want a discreet way to satisfy their sensory needs without drawing attention. The Dino Bite and Krypto Bite are also very durable, nontoxic, and made in the USA.

Conclusion

When selecting sensory toys, consider the unique preferences and needs of the person. Whether it’s fidgeting, chewing, or exploring textures, the right sensory toy can provide comfort, focus, and joy. We have lots of options available at National Autism Resources to help you find the perfect gift that promotes sensory exploration and supports development. Our toys are not only a source of fun, but also a way to build skills and provide comfort.

Try to Incorporate Everyday Routines

Children on the spectrum often respond best to change when it feels like there is no change. Try to adapt your travel plans so that you can stick to some of your everyday routines. Bring along familiar items such as toys, books, pillows or their favorite blanket. It’ll make everyone on the trip feel more comfortable.

Prepare for Delays

Plan ahead for down time because you never know – you may be stuck with some delays in traveling and you’ll need to entertain your child. Think about small toys or activities you can enjoy with your child should you get caught with a lot of down time.

Practice New Skills Ahead of Time

Work with your child on practicing different activities that he or she may encounter during traveling. Things like waiting in lines, showing tickets, or getting on and off a bus or plane are just some of the things you can consider. Remember, preparation and practice can help make the transition easier for both you and your child.

Plan for Some Down Time

Traveling can be challenging for everyone, so if possible plan some down time. Try to manage how much time you spend in crowded, busy, or noisy places throughout your travel plans. Pace yourself and don’t rush. If you find yourself or your child becoming over-stimulated, take the time to settle yourselves before continuing on the next part of your travel plan.

Several years ago at an ABAI conference we had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Bridget Taylor talk about helping people on the spectrum become independent. Often it’s easier, or more efficient for a parent, teacher or therapist to do something for a person rather than teaching them to do things for themselves. 

If we don’t take the extra time to teach skills we will have people who are not independent. No one wants to see a forty year old person who can’t prepare his own meal! 

With this in mind you may want to ask yourself: 

• Do you still open containers? 
• Unpack backpacks? 
• Cut food? 
• Help with toileting? 
• Open doors? 
• Brush teeth? 
• Do they sleep in their own bed? 
• Do they shower independently? 

Learning self help skills increases self esteem – and can give individuals a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. Increased independence leads to increased vocational, social, residential, and community opportunities. 

It's never is too early to evaluate what you are teaching. Are you teaching the skills someone needs to live independently at the age of 50? If a person can add numbers but can’t balance a checkbook or figure out how to buy lunch how helpful is the skill? 

Think about it this way – can the people you are working with point to 50 pictures but can’t get a spoon from the kitchen? Can they add and subtract but not zipper a coat? 

To help you identify skills you may need to teach, take a piece of paper and for one day write down everything you do for an individual. From this create a list of skills you need to teach. 

Remember slow and steady wins the race. Start with a few skills first, the one’s you feel are most essential. If you are not sure how to teach a skill, ask a Behaviorist or an Occupational Therapist. 

For more life skills resources check out our Life Skills workbooks and curriculum.

By: Don D’Amore M.A., CCC-SLP Speech Language Pathologist 

Do you know a child who hears an idiom phrases such as “That’s a piece of cake” and they start to ask you: “Where is the cake?” Or maybe they are wondering how a person could possibly fit in a jar when they hear someone say the idiom: “She’s in a pickle”. If they are asking about it, that is usually a good thing! Asking about things means your child wants to learn more! Let’s talk about fun ways to teach the real meanings of idioms to your child by linking silly idioms to their literal answers using pictures! 

Idiom phrases can sometimes be confusing that they might be difficult for any of us to wrap our brain around! Imagine what it might feel like if you put yourself in the shoes of a child (or someone else who’s starting from scratch to learn our language). Idioms don’t come up just once in a blue moon. In fact idioms are here, there, and everywhere! Sometimes idioms are right under our nose, and we don’t even notice! Don’t get all bent out of shape if you are missing the boat, and you can’t always notice when people are using idioms. While idioms are a dime a dozen, it is not always a piece of cake to spot them! However if you keep an eye out for idioms, you may start to notice they are in almost everyone’s everyday conversations! (By the way: there were at least 11 idioms in this paragraph! Did you catch them all?)

UNDERSTANDING IDIOMS:

Idioms are a type of expression or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is not the same as the words that are being used. Usually they do not sound anything like their true meaning. That makes them confusing! Especially when your child is already trying to learn what all the other new words in their life mean. The words someone says to them are usually understood to mean exactly what they heard. For example, if someone says to your child: “I feel sick,” most children know they are telling them that they do not feel well. But an idiom is different. An idiom does not mean exactly what the words sound like they might mean. For example if someone said the idiom: “I am feeling under the weather,” a child (who is not familiar with that idiom) would have a hard time figuring out what the “under the weather” phrase means. Instead of realizing that the person was meaning to say that they are “feeling sick,” a child (or anyone who does not know that “under the weather” idiom) might think the person is really telling them they are feeling “…like they are literally under the ‘rain’ or ‘snow’ or maybe ‘a weather chart’” even!

Imagine if you saw a basic math problem where the numbers did not add up to the actual answer (such as 2 + 2 = 5). This is sort of how an idiom may sound to a child. Your child hears the words of the idiom, and they think they know what those words really mean, but the idiom expression can represent a totally different idea entirely! It is natural that there would be some confusion when it comes to idioms.

Idioms can disrupt attention. Whenever someone uses an idiom that is new to you, it may interrupt your listening experience. Suddenly instead of paying attention to whatever else they are saying, you could become distracted as you try to figure out the meaning of the strange new idiom phrase they just used. Or you might misinterpret their idiom phrase, and you could think of a totally different thing from what they intended. The same experiences can happen with a child who hears people using idioms that they do not know yet. Instead of paying close attention to what a person is saying, they may now be thinking about the “silly idea” of the new idiom they just heard.

So if they can be so confusing, why do people even use idioms? There are several possible reasons: Some idioms have been used for generations, and so they are passed down just like all the language that we speak has been passed on to us by all of the people who used the language before us. Idioms are such a common part of our language that many people might not even realize they are using them! 

Idioms can serve an important purpose in our language. Sometimes people like to use an idiom to make what they are saying sound a little more interesting or colorful. A person might feel an idiom helps them to emphasize or further explain what they were trying to say even better than the literal words themselves in certain situations. 

Whatever the reason, idioms are always going to be a part of the way people communicate, so learning the meaning behind common idioms may help your child to better understand what people are trying to say when they hear that idiom used later by someone else. Your child may also start to learn when they could use an idiom themselves while talking to people. Practicing new idioms with your child can be a fun way to expand their knowledge and broaden their overall language skills!

So how can I teach my child to learn Idioms? Try to use visuals to “Show what the idiom words mean”!

Understanding the actual words of an idiom may be tricky. Spoken words alone can seem abstract to many children, but using visual pictures allow those confusing new words they hear to look like something real! To quote one famous idiom: “A picture is worth a 1000 words!” This can also be true with helping to learn idioms! If hearing the words by themselves are difficult for your child, seeing matching pictures may help to give them much more information and assist them to better understand the meanings. When there is a picture to look at, a child can now see it and not just hear it! This can be especially powerful if your child is stronger at understanding with visual learning supports for other learning areas.

Try to also show illustrations of the idiom’s real “meanings” as well!

I like to recommend that when teaching about idioms, try focusing on teaching the idioms literal meanings! Giving the child a visual image of the actual literal answer to what that confusing idiom phrase really means may be able to help the child to finally see what they could not visualize on their own! 

While matching illustrations that represent the idiom words can be fun, the idiom picture alone may be just as confusing to a child as the words themselves were! In some ways it could lead to the child still misunderstanding the idiom’s true meaning. If the child only saw the illustration of the silly idiom, and that is what they already thought it meant, how do they move past that silly idea to understand the true literal meaning of the idiom? A picture of a “person inside of an actual pickle” is funny, but it does not really help to explain what that idiom really means. To teach the real meaning of those silly idioms, try to match each idiom with an additional picture which illustrates the real meaning of the idiom! This way the child can use the addition of these visual representations to strengthen their overall learning experience of the meanings beyond the (often confusing idiom) words that they hear! Now the last image that the child is looking at is actually explaining the meaning of the funny idiom!

Preparation:

Start by gathering lots of illustrations! You should try to find illustrations of both the idioms as well as illustrations of their meanings so you can pair them together as you teach. Here is a list of some common idioms and their meanings to get you started:

IDIOM: I’m in a pickle. MEANING: I have to make a difficult decision. 

IDIOM: We’re not out of the woods yet. MEANING: We still have some problems. 

IDIOM: He is all thumbs. MEANING: He is very clumsy at doing things. 

IDIOM: He’s finally off the hook. MEANING: He’s no longer responsible or being blamed. 

IDIOM: Hold your horses. MEANING: Wait or slow down. 

IDIOM: She has butterflies in my stomach. MEANING: She feels nervous. 

IDIOM: This is a real can of worms. MEANING: This is really complicated. 

IDIOM: Let’s get the ball rolling. MEANING: Let’s get started.

After you have gathered your illustrations, you could start by saying something like this to your child:

“You know how sometimes people say silly things like “I am in a pickle” or “That was a piece of cake”? Those sort of silly words that meaning something else are called “Idioms”. Idioms are phrases or words that do not mean exactly what they sound like. Instead idioms usually mean something else! They can sound fun and funny! There are many different idioms. Pretty much everyone uses idioms as another way of telling us something. We are going to have some fun practicing and learning idioms! 

Here is an example: If a person has a tough decision to make and they do not know what to do, they might say the idiom: ‘I am in a pickle.’ Now we know that person is not really inside of a real pickle, like the pickle we take out of a jar. That would be really silly. ‘I am in a pickle’ is an idiom phrase that people sometimes use when they are trying to say they ‘have to make a difficult decision’. Many idioms sound funny just like the ‘I am in a pickle’ idiom. Here is another example: When someone wants to tell you that something is simple to do, they might say “That is a piece of cake” There is no real cake around, but the idiom “That is a piece of cake” just means something is easy or simple to do.”

When you have illustrations ready you may say to your child:

“These materials we use today will each be a pair of pictures. We will see both a picture of the fun idiom as well as another picture of what they really mean! We can look at these pictures and talk about the idiom and also we see a picture that shows what each one means. So let’s have fun learning about idioms and their meaning!”

Then proceed one at a time to talk about the idiom phrase and idiom picture and what it sounds like. Next talk about what it could really mean, and show the picture of the literal meaning as well. Try to have fun with it! Idioms are fun and funny! Having fun is a good motivator for you child to want to continue to learn things like this. Remember this theme: “Let’s have fun and enjoy our time together as we learn new things!”

Other general ideas for helping your child with learning Idioms and their meanings:

• It is OK to have differences in the meanings for an idiom. Language is filled with varieties! Language is always changing and growing! What we think an idiom means right now may actually gradually change over time. 

• Idioms are just another way people communicate what they mean. Help your child to understand how these idioms are said all the time, and how they might be fun to use themselves sometimes. 

• Always stay encouraging! Children (and everyone) like it when people around them are happy and cheerful! It can allow your child to feel more comfortable learning things with you. The less frustrated a child is with learning the things we are trying to teach, the more likely they will want to continue to keep working with us. Try to keep in mind that teaching these types of materials should not be like giving the child a quiz or test. It should not just be about right answers being good and wrong answers being bad. It is about your child learning new things, and also about your child wanting to keep learning more and more!

• You are like a Super Hero to your child! Let your child know when they do good! It means a lot to them, and it can help to motivate them to participate now and the next learning time as well. This is especially helpful if the topic is something the child was struggling with while working on trying to improve. Some words of encouragement that you could say to your child are: “I like how you tried so hard! Way to go!” and “You did a great job trying to figure out these idioms.” This type of positive reinforcement can help to encourage your child to keep trying to learn and improve, as they realize their good efforts are important and appreciated by you and by others. 

• Making a game of the learning time can help with increasing the motivation to participate in the learning time. A game could be as simple as drawing a smile face on paper after each turn until that page has lots of smile on it! Try to encourage children to be cooperative with the materials and not be competitive. Competition can be discouraging if one child feels they are ‘losing’. Often children will just give up, and quit even wanting to try.

CARRYOVER IDEA: Carrying over learning idioms into everyday life is an important way for your child to understand that what they are learning with you now is also a part of their world all of the time. You may do this by having some fun idiom practice during everyday activities. For example: if you are trying to decide which of two books to read with them at night, you could show them the two books and say something to them like: “I am on the fence about which of these two books we should read. Which one do you like best?” Then after they pick a book, you could say something like: “Did you notice the idiom I used?” If they did not, you could say: “I said I was ‘on the fence’ but I wasn’t really standing on a fence was I? No, that would be silly. I was using one the idioms we were learning. ‘On the fence’ is an idiom that means I was trying to decide something. You just helped me decide something, because I was ‘on the fence’ about it and I needed help making a choice.” Remember the theme: “Let’s have fun and enjoy our time together as we learn new things!”

If you are interested in lots of illustrations of idioms paired with illustrations of their meaning, NAR offers a colorful and interactive Idioms & their Meanings Learning Binder Kit! Everything in this kit is personally designed and illustrated by Don D’Amore M.A., CCC-SLP Speech Language Pathologist.

Interactive Illustrated Idioms And Their Meanings Binder Bundle Kit

This binder has 108 different illustrated idioms paired with illustrations of their real meaning! (There are total of 216 different illustrations in this binder combo!) This kit contains 48 Different colorful laminated illustrated idiom cards attached with hook and loop to the pages. Fun and easy to use-- just pull off the idiom card and reveal the illustrated meaning of the idioms beneath them! Plus, this kit also contains 15 more laminated pages each packed with different colorful illustrated idioms paired to Illustrations of the idiom’s real meaning. Use these pages with the attached ‘reveal cards’! Handy helper pages with detailed suggestions for use are also included in this binder kit.

NOTE: Possible and limited usage suggestion only. Actual usage will vary dependent on a user’s abilities & goals. These suggestions are designed only as a possible additional helpful tool to assist in teaching the topic of Idioms using visuals and question prompts. More than one answer to these types of materials is possible. Limiting choices may be helpful if needed. These suggestions are not to be considered a comprehensive treatment plan. These suggestions may not be suitable for use with some individuals. Some individuals may still have difficulty with understanding these types of topics. Use of any learning plans should be decided upon by teams including qualified professionals based on goals and abilities appropriate to the specific child. Please consult with qualified professionals regarding the use of any materials, and for further information or assistance. © 2023 Don DʼAmore MA CCC-SLP SpeechPage Publishing Co. All rights reserved.

What is the Yippee/TBH creature?

If you’ve browsed the internet, you may or may not be aware of a new symbol that is gaining popularity in the autism community. The image, which began circulating in 2021, is known as the TBH Creature. It has also been referred to as “Yippee,” referring to a popular video featuring the character being blasted with confetti as a happy voice shouts “Yippee!” This video has grown to become the dominant association with the character.

As it has gained popularity, the TBH creature has resonated with many on the spectrum. Thousands online have expressed fondness for the creature and what they see reflected in it. Over time, the creature has gained an association with neurodiversity.

What is it about this simple drawing that connects so strongly with parts of the autism Community?

The creature’s face is neutral– without the audio, its emotions are unclear– but with the audio, it becomes a symbol of internal positivity even without strong external expression. Many on the spectrum struggle with their natural facial expressions coming across as unreadable to others, or lack the inclination to emote strongly. This “Flat Affect” can alienate them from their neurotypical peers, making others think the individual is apathetic, sad, or upset, when they are simply expressing themselves in a way that feels natural. The juxtaposition of the creature’s blank face and wide eyes with joyful confetti and happy audio encapsulates how those on the spectrum enjoy rich inner lives with great emotional depth, but may show it in a way that neurotypical folks are not used to.

The creature’s original name– “TBH” or “to be honest,” reflects the idea of letting down one’s guard, unmasking, and expressing the genuine self even if that self may be difficult for some to understand. While masking (trying to act neurotypical) can be a valuable tool for navigating the world, many on the spectrum benefit from finding communities of understanding individuals who can appreciate, relate to, and share in their unique way of being.

The unique strengths of Yippee

The memes and jokes made with the TBH creature may be silly, flippant, and fun. However, they also can reflect genuine experiences of individuals on the spectrum. They can also help neurotypical peers and family members gain valuable empathy, insight, and understanding. Yippee has been used to express feelings about hyperfixation, social anxiety, stimming, and more. Because the TBH creature exists as a blank template, it is accessible for anyone to create and share a variation that reflects their specific experiences.

Autism, in real life and in media, is often associated with difficulties and negative feelings such as meltdowns, social issues, and sensory sensitivity. These are challenges that should not be minimized, but many only see the negative aspects of autism represented. Unlike many other images associated with autism, the TBH Creature did not originate as an explicit symbol, but emerged organically from individuals finding it relatable in a positive way. The TBH creature is, to many, a celebration of the feeling of autistic joy and the unique ways it can be expressed. Even when it is depicting difficult aspects of the condition, the creature is generally portrayed in a humorous but empathetic light, distinct from the often-clinical lenses typically used in media to depict autism.

Not Everyone Likes Yippee

Some dislike the creature and can’t relate to it. The experience of autism is unique to each individual, so it is unsurprising that one image cannot effectively resonate with all who have the condition. It is important to remember that the TBH creature does not represent autism as a whole, and while many find joy in seeing their experience reflected, others may dislike the association or find it disrespectful.

Final Thoughts

The emergence of Yippee as a symbol has undeniably brought joy, understanding, and community to many. By understanding why the love for this creature exists and creating an open dialogue about what it represents, neurotypicals have a valuable avenue for building understanding with those on the autism spectrum, and those on the spectrum have a tool for connecting with one another. Whether the creature will become as ubiquitous as the puzzle piece or the infinity symbol remains to be seen, but for many, particularly those frequenting social media, it is already quite beloved.

More information on the history of the TBH Creature:

What Is the Autism Creature (TBH Creature or Yippee)?

Why Does Tbh Say "YIPPEE!!"?

Grace Arnwine is a professional animator and illustrator who has worked extensively on communication icons and other visual support materials for National Autism Resources.

Sensory toys, my family loves them and so do I. I love sensory based play because it is beneficial for all children and it's lots of fun.

What is a sensory toy?

Sensory toys come in many different forms, from soft textured balls and fidget toys to musical instruments and sensory bins filled with different types of materials. They are enjoyable for all children, as they provide a fun and engaging way to explore and learn about the world.

What are the benefits of sensory toys?

Along with sensory development sensory toys can help with cognitive development. These toys are excellent for teaching cause-and-effect relationships, problem-solving skills, and how to process information. For example, a child playing with a noise making item, like a Klickity, can learn that their actions can effect their environment- when they move the toy they make sound. When they stop moving the toy it is quiet.

Sensory toys can also help with social and language development. You can use them to teach descriptive words such as soft, hard, bumpy, squishy, colors, loud, bright, blink, and more. These types of toys can also teach taking turns (first I use the bubble gun, now it’s your turn), sharing (playing together in a sand and water table), and cooperation (let’s pull the toys out of the putty together).

Many sensory toys also help develop fine motor skills, which involve the use of small muscles in the hands and fingers. For example, a child playing with a toy that requires squeezing, grasping, or manipulating small objects can help to improve their hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and strength. This kind of play is important for writing, drawing, and using utensils.

Things to Consider Before Introducing a Sensory Toy

There are several things to consider when choosing a sensory toy. Different sensory toys may be appropriate for different age ranges. While older students may enjoy toys designed for toddlers, if at all possible try to find age appropriate options. Fortunately, today there are many developmentally appropriate fidgets and other sensory toys for older kids and adults.

Individuals with sensory processing difficulties may have specific preferences for certain types of sensory input, such as visual, auditory, tactile, or proprioceptive stimulation. It can be helpful to observe the child's behavior and interests to identify their preferred sensory experiences. For example, a child who enjoys playing with sand may benefit from a sensory bin filled with different types of sensory materials. Conversely, a child who is sound sensitive may have difficulty with a sound toy that does not have the option to modulate the sound level.

Sensory toys that provide multiple sensory experiences can be particularly beneficial, as they can help to support overall sensory integration and processing skills. For example, a musical instrument can provide both auditory and tactile stimulation. Be careful with multisensory toys- too much stimulation can overwhelm a child’s senses. Finally, also, consider the durability of the toy, as sensory toys may be subjected to heavy use and wear.

Children learn through play. While introducing sensory toys remember to be patient with the sensory sensitive supportive, keep it interesting, and don't forget to have lots of fun.

Bonnie Arnwine is on the advisory board for National Autism Resources and the author of Starting Sensory Therapy: Fun Activities for Your Home and Classroom.

References:

Abidin, Anis Sofia Zainal, et al. "Significance of Sensory Activities among Toddlers for Sensory Skills Development." Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal 7.SI7 (2022): 15-27.

Dunbar, Sandra Barker, et al. "A pilot study comparison of sensory integration treatment and integrated preschool activities for children with autism." Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice 10.3 (2012): 6.

Maynard, Christine N., et al. "An examination of the effects of teacher intervention during sensory play on the emotional development of preschoolers." Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal 38.1 (2009): 26-35.

Miller, Lucy Jane. Sensational kids: Hope and help for children with sensory processing disorder (SPD). Penguin, 2014.

Schoen, Sarah A., et al. "A systematic review of Ayres sensory integration intervention for children with autism." Autism Research 12.1 (2019): 6-19.