Sensotec: Sensory Support for Students with ADHD
- Education Australia
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Inattention. Hyperactivity. Impulsivity.
For some students, these behaviours are not a choice or lack of discipline, they’re the result of a brain that processes the world differently. And if a brain with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has a unique approach, why shouldn’t our environments?
Sensory spaces can transform how students with ADHD learn, focus, and interact with peers. With engaging and purposeful sensory input, sensory spaces help to:
Reduce sensory overload and anxiety
Improve focus and attention
Support self-regulation and emotional intelligence
Encourage movement for hyperactivity and restlessness
Prevent overstimulation
Psychologist Ashleigh Warner aptly describes the importance of meeting underlying needs rather than simply reacting to behaviour:
Although there are three main types of ADHD, there is no one way ADHD presents- every student is different. And that means their sensory needs will be different too.
Some students may feel constantly ‘on’, needing movement and stimulation to stay focused. Other students with ADHD may need a quiet, low-stimulation space to block out distractions. That’s why creating a flexible sensory space is so important- it gives students the tools they need to self-regulate, in a way that works for them.
HOW TO CREATE AN ADHD-FRIENDLY SENSORY SPACE
When designing a sensory space for students with ADHD, here are five key things to consider:
Dynamic furniture – Give restless bodies the movement they crave with active seating, swings, and soft play. Whether wobbling, swinging, bouncing, or balancing, dynamic sensory equipment helps students focus while providing an outlet for hyperactivity.
Tools for fidgety fingers – Keep restless hands busy with interactive items like tactile walls to reduce impulsive behaviour and improve focus and concentration.
Opportunities to relax, retreat and recharge – Help students self-soothe and reset while preventing sensory overload, with soft lighting, quiet nooks and deep pressure input from items like weighted blankets.
Vary sensory input – Offer a mix of sensory experiences and flexible equipment to accommodate sensory seekers and sensory avoiders. Adjustable sound, brightness, speed, and volume keep sensory experiences engaging and effective, and prevent overstimulation.
Zone it out – Create distinct areas (e.g. calming, interactive, and movement zones) so that students can easily choose the right equipment to meet their needs at the right moment.
When we design our learning environments with intention, we give every student the chance to succeed- and on their terms.
At Sensotec, we work with you to maximise available funding and create custom sensory solutions to meet your space, budget, and goals. We can guide you through the entire process, from a discovery session to design, delivery, and installation.
Learn more about how to set up a sensory space, and our top sensory recommendations for ADHD at sensotec.com.au
1300 622 180
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