World Autism Awareness Day celebrated every year in April, is meant to spread awareness, reduce stigma, and provide information and support for people with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disability that affects 1 in 36 children and 1 in 44 adults in the U.S. Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder (by almost 4x) than girls. Regardless of where you live in the U.S., nearly every individual either has a personal connection with someone affected by autism or has been directly impacted by the disorder themselves.
Children with autism may exhibit symptoms such as delayed language or cognitive skills, struggles with communication and social interaction, repetitive or restrictive behaviors, sensory issues, and, in some cases, unusual or obsessive interests. Autism can be diagnosed as early as the age of 2. However, the average age in the U.S. for an autism diagnosis is 5. Early intervention is critical to treating autism, and services such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, ABA therapy, and other therapies can go a long way toward improving outcomes and, in many cases, changing the trajectory for people with autism.
As individuals with autism spectrum disorder progress developmentally, their symptoms may present additional challenges, including behavioral dysregulation, impaired social functioning, comorbid psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety, and sensory processing issues.
Understanding Autism and Anxiety
For people with autism, the world can seem like a strange and frightening place. While anxiety is not an inherent symptom of autism, difficulty in reading the facial expressions of others, lacking “instinctive” knowledge of social cues, trouble with language and social communication with others, and sensory overload can cause extreme anxiety in people with ASD. Here are a few examples of how autism and anxiety can present itself:
Phobias
People with autism can develop phobias of a variety of things, both typical (dark places, heights, spiders, etc.) and atypical (e.g., a specific color, sensory phobias such as a loud sound like fire alarms or fireworks, a particular song such as the “Happy Birthday” song, etc.). These phobias can significantly impact their life. For instance, a child may be unable to attend a public school because they cannot tolerate state-mandated fire drills or may be unable to participate in birthday parties with their friends.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Exhibiting unwanted and compulsive behaviors such as checking and rechecking items, repeated hand washing, checking on a pet repeatedly (e.g., “Did you feed Charlie?” “Is Charlie OK?”), and other repetitive behaviors.
Social Anxiety
Avoiding social situations (e.g., places with crowds, parties, situations requiring social interaction such as introductions, shaking hands, answering a teacher’s question in class, being “front and center,” etc.)
Separation Anxiety
Fear of being separated from a parent or loved one, e.g., unable to sleep in their bed, unable to spend the night away from home, or fear of going to college.
How Sensory Overload Contributes to Anxiety
There are many “triggers” for anxiety in a person with ASD; one of them is sensory overload. Sensory overload is more than just bright lights and loud noises. Sensory overload is overstimulating one or more of the body’s five senses. The brain receives more input and information than it can process, leading to feelings of discomfort and anxiety. For most of us, we unconsciously move away from sensory overload; we stop reading when we’re tired, and we walk away from situations that annoy us. But people with ASD aren’t always aware of the cause of their discomfort; they simply know they don’t feel good.
These feelings manifest themselves in a myriad of ways, including irritability, agitation, focusing issues, fear, stress, and, in some cases, nausea and insomnia. In children, sensory overload is often mistaken for bad behavior. The ASD child in the grocery store who is screaming and holding their hands over their ears is not misbehaving; they are indicating that the environment is too much for them. In a classroom, a child with autism who kicks over another child’s blocks is not necessarily “mean” but instead might be expressing their agitation and annoyance at the number of students in the room or frustration at not understanding the lesson or what is expected of them.
Benefits of Sensory Spaces
When individuals with ASD experience sensory overload, it impedes their ability to function effectively, making it particularly challenging for children to engage in learning activities. Parents and teachers can help to combat sensory overload by creating a sensory-friendly space both in the classroom and at home. Sensory spaces can provide children with autism with a place to self-soothe, reduce anxiety, reflect, relax, and prepare for a transition, such as moving to another topic or classroom.
Here are some Dos and Don’ts for teachers and parents/caregivers to follow when creating sensory-friendly spaces to provide their ASD child or student with the best learning environment.
TEACHERS
COLOR
DO use muted, monochromatic colors to calm and engage your students wherever possible. Think gray, pale blue, and yellow for your bulletin boards, posters, floor mats, or carpets. While soft grays, blues, and yellow might seem “boring”, these muted tones provide a calming atmosphere for children to learn. Interior designers often recommend muted blue tones in bedrooms as they lend themselves to relaxation and sleep. The same holds for the classroom.
DON’T overly use the popular primary blue, red, and green for decor. While it may seem counterintuitive, “Apples are RED” etc.…there are other ways to incorporate primary colors into the classroom without necessarily hanging it on the wall.
LIGHTING
DO use soft lighting wherever possible. Consider choosing warm or incandescent LED bulbs for lamps and other lighting fixtures. Natural light is always great. Use adjustable blinds to keep out the glare on particularly sunny days.
DON’T use “flickering,” “sparkly,” or neon lights of any kind (except for a lava lamp or soft, twinkly lights, which are calming for children with ASD) which can contribute to sensory overload in students.
TEXTILES
DO use soft, textured fabrics, like pillows with fuzzy or nubby fabrics. Providing sequined sensory pillows and other tactile materials, such as weighted lap blankets, kinetic sand, fidgets, and pop toys, can provide needed sensory stimulation and help with focus.
DON’T use uncomfortable, stiff items such as non-squishy pillows or rough, scratchy fabrics on the floor or for early learners, during circle or story time. Children with ASD may exhibit tactile defensiveness, leading them to resist fabrics that are not soft (such as wool or certain non-organic, polyester materials), hindering their ability to focus if the fabrics are too uncomfortable.
SOUND
DO encourage a quiet environment. Provide noise canceling headphones in your classroom. Keep a small water fountain in the room to encourage students to listen quietly. Provide “quiet” musical instruments such as chimes.
DON’T encourage loud instruments such as drums or a tambourine. Or if you do use drums or a tambourine, offer a quieter spot for your sensory-sensitive students to go to during that time.
By creating a calming and sensory-friendly space, teachers can support children with ASD and other developmental disabilities to facilitate learning and provide the best possible outcome for their students.
PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS
Teachers aren’t the only ones who can provide a sensory-friendly environment for a child with ASD. Parents and caregivers can create calming spaces in their child’s room and shared spaces at home to create a more sensory-friendly home. Here are some Dos and Don’ts for parents and caregivers:
CLUTTER
DO clear the clutter! There is a widely acknowledged correlation between clutter and anxiety. Today’s on-the-go parenting takes a toll on the organization of homes with school-age children. However, a clutter-free zone can help an autistic (potentially distracted) child to focus. A designated spot for toys, a laundry hamper, and waste baskets can help decrease this challenge.
DON’T let your child’s room become a war zone. It’s easier said than done, we know, but a clutter-free room can help calm your child and make them feel safe. If that’s impossible, designate one clutter-free zone in your house (such as the dining room table) where your child can do homework every day or complete a quiet activity.
FURNITURE
DO ensure your child has a comfortable bed and sensory-friendly furniture, such as a beanbag chair, rocker, or swivel chair. Providing your child with a sensory-friendly space in their room can help them associate home as a calming environment rather than a place to act out.
DON’T use furniture in their room that is stiff and uncomfortable. What might look great to you could be your child’s worst nightmare in terms of comfortability. If your child is older, they might enjoy picking out their furniture.
SOUND
DO consider providing your child with a white noise machine, fountain, or access to calming sounds and music, e.g., a CD player. For children with autism, soothing sounds can be a fantastic tool to unwind, calm down, and, in many cases, help them self-soothe.
DON’T use an iPhone to play music or sounds at bedtime. While there are many wonderful calming and sound apps, using a phone for this purpose invariably leads to general screen time usage, such as watching videos, etc. Research shows that blue lights from screens can interfere with children’s sleep patterns, which contradicts providing soothing music or white noise for relaxation.
LIGHTING
DO use soft, calm lighting in your child’s room. A lamp with a warm LED bulb in lieu of overhead lighting is best. Some children with autism enjoy a lava lamp, bubble lamp, or light projector, e.g., stars on the ceiling, to help them relax.
DON’T use strobe lights or fluorescent lights of any kind. One study found that fluorescent lighting can increase repetitive behaviors in children with autism.
Creating a sensory-friendly environment is one of the best ways to support your autistic loved one. Many national hotel chains and restaurants in the hospitality industry are beginning to understand the importance of providing “cool down” spaces in their lobbies and guest rooms. “Sensory inclusivity” spaces are becoming more and more common, not only for people on the autism spectrum but for people with sensory disorders of all types. The more we understand and accept people with autism, the more we can literally “make space” for them and provide the understanding and acceptance that everyone, not just people with autism deserves.
