Sensory Room Provides Focus for Autistic Students

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 05/22/18
The room features a swing structure with multiple swings, a touch wall for tactile input, a squishy corner, multiple sensory bins, light-up bubble tubes and an outdoor garden area.

An elementary school in California has opened a new "sensory room" with the help of Fullerton Cares, a local non-profit that advocates for people with autism. Fullerton School District's Sunset Lane Elementary will make the space available to all people with disabilities in the school system.

The room features a swing structure with multiple swings, a touch wall for tactile input, a squishy corner, multiple sensory bins, light-up bubble tubes and an outdoor garden area. The idea is to provide equipment that will help the children calm themselves and gain focus preparatory to their learning and interactions with others. A unique feature of the room is the setting. It's located in a general education school to provide inclusion opportunities for all students.

The project was sparked by Amy Jahn, a teacher in grades 1-3. It received financial support from a number of local organizations, including Disney VoluntEars, Woman's Club of Fullerton and the district itself.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism is a developmental disability that can create social, communication and behavioral challenges. A 2014 study of 11 communities in just as many states found that one in 59 children aged 8 were identified with autism spectrum disorder.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • a cloud, an AI chip, and a padlock interconnected by circuit-like lines

    CrowdStrike Report: Attackers Increasingly Targeting Cloud, AI Systems

    According to the 2025 Threat Hunting Report from CrowdStrike, adversaries are not just using AI to supercharge attacks — they are actively targeting the AI systems organizations deploy in production. Combined with a surge in cloud exploitation, this shift marks a significant change in the threat landscape for enterprises.

  • mathematical formulas

    McGraw Hill Launches AI-Powered ALEKS for Calculus

    McGraw Hill has added ALEKS for Calculus to its lineup of ALEKS digital learning products, bringing AI-powered personalized learning support to the calculus classroom.

  • teenager’s study desk with a laptop displaying an AI symbol, surrounded by books, headphones, a notebook, and a cup of colorful pencils

    Student AI Use on the Rise, Survey Finds

    Ninety-three percent of students across the United States have used AI at least once or twice for school-related purposes, according to the latest AI in Education report from Microsoft.

  • open laptop with various educational materials like charts, quizzes, and documents emerging from the screen

    Pear Deck Learning Debuts New AI Features

    GoGuardian recently introduced new artificial intelligence features within its Pear Deck Learning curriculum and instruction platform, designed to aid educators throughout their teaching journey — from lesson planning to assessment.