What is it?
Sensory regulation supports are strategies, tools, and environmental adjustments that help learners respond to sensory input and maintain a level of regulation that supports comfort, participation, and learning. Supports might include opportunities for movement, quieter spaces, changes to lighting or noise, flexible seating, sensory tools, predictable routines, or access to breaks. Sensory needs vary from person to person and may also change depending on the activity, environment, or day.
How to use it?
Observe and listen to the learner to identify sensory experiences that may be supportive, distracting, uncomfortable, or overwhelming. Offer multiple options for accessing movement, reducing sensory input, taking breaks, or adjusting the environment, and support learners in recognizing and communicating what they need. Whenever possible, make regulation supports naturally available throughout the day rather than waiting until a learner becomes overwhelmed. Occupational therapists and other team members can help identify individualized supports when needed.
Why use it?
Sensory differences can affect comfort, regulation, attention, communication, and participation in classroom activities. Proactively addressing sensory barriers can reduce the amount of energy learners spend managing an inaccessible environment and increase their availability for learning and connection. Providing flexible regulation supports also recognizes that successful participation does not require everyone to sit, move, listen, or respond to sensory input in the same way.
