When you are creating a sensory space, it may initially feel overwhelming to decide which pieces of equipment are going to suit your needs the best. While you can often put together your ideal space on your own there’s usually a benefit to enlisting the help of a professional.

There are many sensory room equipment service providers to be found online, however it can be difficult to choose which one will be the most helpful to you. With so many options for what to include in your space, choosing a company that can help walk you through the process and make some personalized suggestions will make everything feel so much easier.

Factors to consider when choosing a Sensory Room Equipment Service Provider

At SensoryOne, we’re more than a sensory room equipment company. We provide expert guidance for clients in all settings as part of our service. It’s not the right sensory environment for your setting if it’s not customized for you. Let’s plan together!

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a business to help you set up your sensory space. A sensory room equipment service provider will pride themselves on their ability to provide you with the tools to create a top-notch space that suits your needs. When you start the search for the best consultant for the task, these are the top factors to consider.

The range of equipment they have available

A sensory room service provider should have a wide variety of equipment available to choose from when designing your sensory space. A range of products that includes sensory and tactile walls, interactive panels, bubble tubes, fiber optic lighting systems, mobile units and technology-based activities can all help you create the perfect sensory space for your home.

Their ability to incorporate technology

It’s no secret that technology is an invaluable addition to a sensory space. An equipment provider should demonstrate comfort in recommending and explaining technological tools like an OM Interactive projection system and a Broomx virtual reality system. Including one or several of these features in your sensory space will have many positive effects for visitors to your sensory room.

Offers a good variety of tactile options

Some of the most common features in a sensory space are tactile ones. Equipment that offers a variety of different tactile opportunities is most likely to help calm, re-center and engage a visitor to a sensory room. Because of this, an equipment provider that offers a wide variety of options including tactile walls, panels, murals, tiles and toys is sure to be able to help you create the most useful and beneficial space possible.

Personal service is provided for project management

While you can certainly go through the steps to create a sensory space on your own, one mark of a top sensory equipment service provider is their ability to provide personal assistance. Having a representative to talk to about the different options and help you decide which pieces would work best for your needs will help ensure that everything you choose will go to good use.

Ability to stay within your budget

A significant part of any project is the budget that comes with it. A sensory equipment provider that can help you outfit your sensory space while sticking within your budget displays that they care about your experience and needs.

An interest in innovation

As the understanding of the kind of people who benefit from sensory spaces increases, so too does the innovation of what kind of equipment might be included. An equipment provider that expresses an interest in discovering the latest trends, technologies and innovations is a great resource for you. This interest in innovation shows that their offerings will be up to date and include a wide variety of equipment options.

Flexibility to work with the space you have available

A great sensory equipment provider will be able to work with you to create a useful sensory space in whatever kind of area you have available. Whether you are able to dedicate an entire room to the effort, are outfitting a small piece of a larger room or are looking for a mobile cart that can be moved to wherever it is needed, a sensory equipment provider will be able to assist in choosing the right items.

A great sensory space involves expert support

When you decide to create a sensory space, you are showing that you care about the individual or group of people who are going to be using the space. Therefore, it makes sense that you should choose a sensory room equipment service provider that is going to offer you the same care and support.

When you do find this equipment provider, you’ll be able to look to them for guidance in creating the best sensory space you possibly can, within the parameters you have available. Your budget, available space and the needs of your intended users will all play a role in how your sensory space will turn out. Whether you include technology like an interactive projector or virtual reality machine or opt for more tactile options, an equipment service provider will be happy to walk you through the options.

As we learn more about the struggles and characteristics involved with an autism spectrum diagnosis, a number of different related disorders are getting identified as well. One such category of disorders has been aptly named Sensory Processing Disorders. This grouping of symptoms can be quite a struggle for many people, both caregivers and those that have been diagnosed, especially when it isn’t all that clear what the disorder actually involves.

However, sensory processing disorders are extremely common, especially among those who have been diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum.

What is a sensory processing disorder?

A sensory processing disorder, or SPD, is a common condition that many kids and adults experience. It is characterized by the brain’s inability to process sensory inputs. In simple terms, this means that a person with SPD will struggle to receive and respond to senses like sight, sound and smell. In some cases, this means that someone might be oversensitive to sensory experiences in their world, while in other cases someone else may be insensitive to the same stimuli.

At SensoryOne, our sensory environment designs specialists help you determine the best sensory equipment and layout or users with sensory processing issues, frequently those with Autism. Let us help!

Although sensory processing disorders are mostly commonly identified in children, many adults also struggle with them. SPDs are often experienced by those who are on the autism spectrum, however these two disorders are not mutually exclusive. Like autism, SPDs are usually experienced on a spectrum so there is no obvious and direct point of diagnosis.

Some common characteristics of sensory processing disorder may include:

• Incoordination and lack of balance
• Difficulty in engaging the individual in conversation
• Over stimulation: sounds are too loud, rooms are too bright, clothes are irritating or too tight
• Under stimulation: can’t sit still, thrill seeking
• Issues with food textures
• Don’t respond well to sudden movements, sounds, touches or smells
• Increased behaviour concerns
• Poor motor skills
• Reduced muscle tone
• May exhibit language delays
• Doesn’t pick up on social cues

Many benefits to a sensory room or space

A sensory space has many benefits for people of all ages, especially for those who may be dealing with some level of a sensory processing disorder. The ability to spend time in a space that offers a wide variety of sensory opportunities can help make living with a sensory processing disorder more manageable.

It can help improve socialization

Some children with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, struggle with interacting with their peers and teachers. The ability to retreat into a safe space with controlled sounds, interactions and activities can provide a sense of safety and allow visitors to socialize on their own terms. This opportunity to control sensory input can help those with an SPD to evaluate their surroundings and learn how to accept more social opportunities, even outside of the room.

Can promote cognitive development

An important aspect of cognitive development is the ability to explore the principles of cause and effect through play. Hands on exploration and experimentation encourages both kids and adults to problem solve in order to learn about their world and how to interact with it.

Improve motor skills

It’s not uncommon for coordination skills such as those needed to hold a pencil, tie a shoe, button a shirt or walk and talk at the same time to develop more slowly in people with autism or sensory processing disorders. A sensory room can offer visitors an opportunity to work on many different kinds of motor skills without the pressures of a highly stimulating environment.

They encourage visitors to feel calm

For someone with a sensory processing disorder, the world we live in can be an intense, stressful and highly stimulating place. A sensory room or space can help them to combat this overstimulation in a way that gives them the stimulation that they need.

It encourages the development of underused senses

People with a sensory processing disorder tend to spend more time relying on selective senses and almost hiding others. A multi-sensory room can provide a safe space for them to explore and experiment with their less favoured senses.

Helps teach coping skills

When overwhelmed with sensory input, it can be difficult to respond and cope in the moment. A sensory room is the perfect testing space for someone with SPD to figure out what works for them in order to mitigate these feelings of overwhelm. A sensory space is also the perfect place to try out and experiment with new sensory experiences.

A sensory processing disorder is manageable, if you know what you’re dealing with

Before a person gets diagnosed with a sensory processing disorder their behaviour may seem puzzling and even frustrating. However, once you’ve taken the time to get a diagnosis and are able to attribute symptoms to their cause, it becomes easier to understand. The average person who doesn’t have any SPDs of their own may be tempted to showcase impatience when faced with the wide variety of symptoms, however that just makes things tough on everyone involved. Incorporating a sensory room or space into the lives of anyone diagnosed with autism or a sensory processing disorder can help visitors learn many skills that will help them in their day to day lives.

A sensory room is a therapeutic space for people of all ages to enjoy and use. These rooms and spaces incorporate a number of different tools or aspects that can help an individual to feel more calm, less distracted, better able to communicate and overall, less anxious and stressed. They can also help to mitigate negative behaviours that may be common with some people, often school-aged children.

The equipment used in a sensory room can vary quite a bit from one room to the next, depending on how much space is available for the sensory room and what the needs are of the primary person using it. Whether you are looking at creating a mobile sensory cart or station or are able to convert an entire room to the idea, the intentions behind the equipment will be similar.

Top equipment for creating a sensory room or space

At SensoryOne, we provide no-fee design consultation services so clients can build the sensory space that is best suited to them. Whether for autistic individuals, seniors or an elementary school setting, let’s think through the design and equipment right for you.

When creating a sensory space, one of the first steps you should take is to decide how much space you’ll have to work with. If you only have a small corner in a room or a mobile cart to deck out, the equipment you’ll look for will vary in comparison to if you have a whole room. Regardless of how much space you have, creating a sensory room will have significant benefits for both children and adults.

Tactile equipment

Having items that a person can touch is essential in a sensory space. Try to include a variety of different touch experiences such as soft sponges, prickly pinecones, gooey silly putty or slime, kinetic sand, finger paints and squishy balls. Any item that offers an unusual tactile experience can be perfect for a sensory room. If you have space to play with, consider installing a tactile wall mural or panel. These tools are often done for you so there’s no need to go searching for items that might fit the bill.

A tactile wall mural, tile or panel features a variety of textures, colours and styles and will double as fun artwork for the space. These pieces can be mounted on a wide variety of surfaces, allowing you to customize the sensory space you are creating.

Calming equipment

One of the most common uses of a sensory room is to help visitors calm down and relax. Equipment like dim lights, fiber optic lighting, and gentle music are all soothing for those in the sensory room.

Fiber optic lights are a common choice for anyone creating a sensory room. These lights are often included in string form to offer both tactile and visual stimulation, allowing anyone in the room to benefit from their inclusion in multiple ways. Handling these lights is safe and visitors will often feel calmer and more relaxed after being exposed to them.

Bubble tubes and walls are another great way to provide calming visuals along with a relaxing vibration.

Auditory and visual equipment

A sensory room that allows users to focus on certain senses while reducing the stimulation from others will help them to relax and calm down. Sensory room equipment like a projector or a speaker playing their chosen video, music or sounds can significantly benefit a visitor, particularly those who struggle with processing disorders.

Mobile sensory carts

If space is a concern or you have an individual that would benefit from the ability to bring their sensory space with them, a mobile sensory cart is the perfect option. Whether you’re interested in a ready-made kit or want to design your own, a mobile sensory cart has everything that a sensory room could have, but in a compact and portable cart. This cart can be moved from one space to another allowing the sensory space to move with the user.

Interactive technology is worth the investment

With a very interactive space like a sensory room, it’s no surprise that there are some pieces of technology that will be beneficial. Immersive experiences like virtual reality and interactive projectors are an excellent way to customize the sensory room experience for anyone interested in using them. These interactive and portable technologies are very effective tools for creating both stimulating and calming effects in a wide variety of settings and spaces. A sensory room that includes one or both of these tools will benefit anyone who uses them in a number of different ways.

Sensory room equipment can vary greatly

The best thing about creating a sensory room is that there is no single right way to do it. The best sensory room spaces are created with your client audience in mind. With a wide variety of potential users, completely unique space options and an endless list of equipment choices, no two sensory rooms will ever be alike. After you’ve taken some time to evaluate the needs of those who will be using the space and consider what kind of area you’ll be making use of, you can then narrow down exactly what kind of equipment you want to include in your sensory room.

Sensory rooms are becoming much more commonplace in schools and homes. However, sensory spaces are not just for children. In fact, they are equally in demand in adult service settings.

These sensory-focused spaces offer significant benefits to a range of neurologically atypical people. Spaces often include a variety of sensory-stimulating objects such as lights, colorful items, things that make sounds, carefully chosen aromas and other different objects.

Which individuals will benefit from a sensory room?

Although it could be argued that everyone could benefit from a sensory room experience, there are people with a number of different conditions that will find these spaces especially helpful. They include:

• Anyone with a cognitive impairment, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The world can be a very intimidating place for someone going through the changes that dementia can bring. A sensory room can help ease those struggles by providing a calm and kind space to relax in.
• In acute or long-term-care homes and units. Sensory rooms in these settings can be helpful during a crisis situation that needs de-escalation or prevention.
• In mental health clinics. Spaces where patients can immerse in a therapeutic and stimulantfree environment can be beneficial to the therapy.
• Those with vision, hearing or other sensory impairments. A dark room can be soothing for someone who struggles with vision loss or impairment while interactive activities can help deaf people hone their other senses.  
• Those with developmental disabilities, A well-designed sensory room will provide many opportunities for those with developmental disabilities.
• People with learning difficulties. Offering adults a space where they can take a break from their required activities and focus on learning in a manner that makes sense to them and doesn’t stress them out can help improve learning in their day-to-day lives

Benefits of a sensory room to adults

There are a number of benefits that adults will find when they get the opportunity to experience a sensory space:

Stimulation of the senses

A sensory room is designed to help users focus on and engage with their senses. Spending time in a quiet space that offers activities that they can engage with and explore can help an individual to better understand and interact with their environment outside of the sensory room.

The world is a very stimulating place and allowing an adult to control how much stimulation they get while in the sensory room can carry over some skills in how to manage those moments in the outside world.

Improve and develop communication skills

Some adults have a difficult time communicating both verbally and non-verbally. This is especially true for those with autism. A sensory room that provides interactive activities can help these individuals learn skills that will help them engage and communicate with their peers.

Reduce stress

The world can be quite overwhelming, stressful and unpredictable for an average person. Add to that a neurodivergent disorder and they could easily end up extremely stressed out and unsure of how to deal with it. The ability to spend time in a sensory room can allow the individual to immerse in a very low-stress, safe and controlled space, making the rest of the world easier to deal with when they rejoin it.

Improve ability to focus

Disorders like ADHD can make it difficult for some people to focus on tasks they are working on during the day. A sensory room that has various activities can help an individual to learn concentration skills that will help them to focus on tasks and improve those skills outside of the sensory room.

 Encourage socialization

While a person might struggle to reach out and find common ground with some of the people around them each day, a sensory room can help encourage them to socialize on their terms. Many activities in sensory rooms can be enjoyed both alone and in groups. Allowing visitors to enjoy activities in a safe and stress-free environment can make it easier for them to interact with their peers.

Provide mental and physical relaxation 

Even for individuals without a diagnosed issue, a sensory room can provide them a needed space in which to relax. Whether they’re in the midst of a hard work day, are dealing with a difficult situation in their personal life or are experiencing some sort of physical ailment, the calming effects of a sensory room can provide a necessary break.

Improve creativity

The opportunity to immerse in a space that has no expectations can encourage an individual’s creativity to flourish. Providing activities that will allow the user to engage, explore and have fun can stimulate areas of the brain that spark its creativity.

Sensory rooms in adult-care settings are vital

Although sensory rooms are often thought to be for children, adults who struggle in any aspect of their lives can experience the benefit of sensory rooms. For adults with diagnosed disorders, a sensory room can provide a therapeutic environment in which to work on some specific goals, while others may simply enjoy the ability to disconnect from the pressures of life in a safe and calm space.

The benefits of engaging with a dedicated sensory space don’t go away as most people age. Quite the opposite, in fact! Many seniors find that as they age, they are more likely to benefit from and enjoy spending time in a sensory room. Whether they are experiencing cognitive shifts or physical ones, there are many benefits to spending time in a sensory room.

Can sensory rooms benefit adults?

While the use of sensory rooms is common for children both at home and in school settings, they are invaluable tools serving disabled adults and seniors groups. Sensory environments are very beneficial for the elderly, particularly those challenged with dementia or other special needs.

The needs of adults will vary from those of children using a sensory room, but the benefits are quite similar. Sensory rooms and sensory stimulation can help adults:

• Feel safe and comfortable in the space they are in
• Have a comfortable space in which to experience therapy, either one on one or with a group
• Participate in social groups and combat isolation
• Engage in activities that improve cognition and functionality
• Facilitate communication both with peers and their support system
• Explore avenues for increased concentration, focus and alertness
• Maintain physical abilities and dexterity
• Learn skills related to problem solving, self-care, and crisis prevention and de-escalation

Sensory environments support neurodegenerative diseases

As people age there is a natural decrease in autonomy that can limit a person’s ability to maintain freedom and mobility. As this is often gradual, a person is usually able to get used to the restrictions as time goes on. However, when a neurodegenerative disease like dementia or Alzheimer’s takes hold deterioration in autonomy can become significant quickly, which leads mental struggle for the sufferer.

Sensory rooms are quite beneficial in these situations. When a person is frustrated with their newfound struggles, the ability to step into a sensory room and leave those frustrations at the door will offer a significant mental health break.

Spending time in a no-pressure zone with the opportunity to immerse in things that make them happy will leave a visitor better equipped to handle their changing lives outside the room. Therapy interventions for these individuals can also be easier to approach in a space where they are calmer and more relaxed.

How does technology improve sensory rooms?

Although a sensory room can be created using non-technological items, there are some extraordinary new tools on the market that can help improve a user’s experience.

Virtual reality is a great way to entertain and engage sensory room users. With the BroomX MK360 offering a completely immersive experience with no headsets, visitors can feel the calming effects of the tool just by stepping into the room. The images can be changed and customized to the user, allowing for a completely unique and targeted therapeutic experience. Virtual reality helps to engage a viewer emotionally, socially and cognitively, resulting in significant benefits especially in those with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, autism spectrum disorder and other special needs.

A projection system is another excellent piece of modern technology that can offer sensory room users a significant benefit. An Omi motion-activated projection system will display chosen images, sounds and music onto any flat surface for the enjoyment of the user. With a customizable display, users can experience cognitive, social, physical and emotional stimulation, resulting in a more calm and positive mood. This is especially helpful for those experiencing dementia, as the system allows the user to experience places and things that invoke happy and calming thoughts and memories.

Elderly people often experience a loss of senses

Often as people age, they start to experience a reduction or loss of some of their senses. A gradual loss of mobility, loss of hearing, loss of sight, and even loss of the sense of touch can all affect the mindset of a person. A sensory room offers a person the ability to retreat into a space where they are able to both focus on the senses they do still have full control over, and spend time gently stimulating the senses that are reducing. This focused and non-pressured attention can help users to feel more confident and comfortable in their everyday lives.

Sensory rooms are helpful for all ages

Although sensory rooms are commonly found in schools, there is significant benefit to exploring the opportunity to create them in long-term care and hospital settings as well. When a senior is offered the opportunity to take a pause from all the stressors in their life for a limited time frame, they are likely to return to the original scenario better equipped to handle it.

Elderly people and those dealing with varied needs and abilities are most likely to benefit from the variety of sensory stimulation found in sensory rooms. Technology like virtual reality and projection systems can help facilitators to provide a customized and focused therapy plan in order to assist the individual in their day to day life.