Four Ways to Make Your Space Sensory-Friendly

Have you ever had a migraine while you were at the office? Or perhaps you had to sit next to someone with a strong perfume that irritated your allergies? If you’ve experienced these situations, or similar ones, then you know how difficult it can be to work in a space when you’re experiencing sensory overload.

In many cases, neurodivergent individuals can often struggle with sensory stimuli that’s out of their control, making every day at the office feel like a day with a migraine (or worse). When that stimuli becomes too much (or even too little), it can negatively impact an employee’s productivity, focus, and emotional well-being.

So, what are some ways that employers can create sensory-friendly environments without breaking the bank?

Sensory-Friendly Lighting

Lighting is one of the many stimuli that can trigger sensory overload, which is when the nervous system is thrown out of balance by a “surplus of sensory information.” That overload can throw an individual into emotional dysregulation, which presents in many forms – including outbursts, social withdrawal, cognitive depletion, and more.

To combat this, organizations can leverage any natural lighting they have at their disposal to avoid harsh lights like fluorescents or LEDs. The option to have natural lighting with blinds or curtains to manage the strength of the light is ideal.

If natural light isn’t readily available, consider providing adjustable lighting options, such as dimmable bulbs or desk lamps. You can also consider lighting diffusers to reduce the harshness of lightbulbs if you’re unable to move away from fluorescents or LEDs. In the end, the more ambient, the better.

Reducing Noise Disruptions

Noise is one of the most inherent – and the most challenging – features of an office. It’s easy to see how collaboration and conversation can naturally create distraction, even when people don’t mean to! Between meetings, phone calls, or easy conversations around the water cooler, noise is simply a part of being in the office.

To help neurodivergent individuals navigate a noisy landscape, consider solutions such as noise-cancelling headphones to help the individual block out the sound around them. Another option is to provide clear quiet spaces or offices where the doors can shut to allow someone the opportunity to step away and regulate with limited stimuli.

If anything, implementing soft furnishings, such as rugs, curtains, or even acoustic panels on the walls/ceilings, can help dampen the natural noise that the office produces, cushioning the impact on a neurodivergent person’s system.

Offer Flexible Workspaces

If there’s one thing the COVID-19 pandemic taught the professional world, it’s that we could find ways to be productive in nontraditional environments. Employers can learn from this, leveraging that knowledge and their employees’ preferences to create spaces that make the most sense for them, such as quiet spaces and collaborative spaces. By breaking the office environment into separate areas, employers can help employees navigate the varying levels of sound and activity as appropriate.

Another way to allow employees’ preferences to shine is by allowing them to personalize their space with the tools that they need to stay focused. That might look like fidget tools, sensory tools, or privacy screens to give them a sense of an enclosed space. If your employees don’t already have these tools at home to bring in, many of them can be found online for a nominal value.

Finally, for those employees who require low-stimulation environments, considering remote or hybrid work schedules can allow employees the ability to customize their home space in a way that allows for focus, productivity, and comfort.

Be Mindful of Scents and Textures

The impact of scents and textures in the workplace might surprise you. Small choices, such as the decision to wear perfume or the fabric to use on a chair, can drive a neurodivergent individual to distraction and anxiety if they find the stimuli overwhelms their senses.

For example, the strong scent of cleaning products might trigger headaches, dizziness, or an upset stomach. Those reactions alone can distract an employee from focusing on the task at hand, negatively impacting both productivity and their mental state.

Consider utilizing fragrance-free cleaning products and eliminating the use of air fresheners. You may need to go as far as to ask employees to refrain from using perfumes or strong colognes. If that’s not an option, you can provide a mask or essential oils – in general, a scent that can be soothing and not overwhelming – to allow for the sensory-sensitive employees to regulate.

When it comes to textures, it goes without saying that it’s near impossible to have every employee’s input on office furnishings. It’s helpful to keep in mind the potential for rough or abrasive textures to be distracting, so avoiding such textures when choosing furnishings is important. If that’s not a possibility, allowing employees to utilize blankets, covers, or carpet squares that they prefer for their chairs or flooring can help mitigate the distraction and discomfort certain textures produce.

But There’s Some Nuance Here…

It’s important to keep in mind that neurodivergent individuals, specifically but not limited to those who are autistic, may be sensory-seeking (i.e., specifically needing to engage in sensory-stimulating activity like vibrant colors, bright lights, extra movement, etc.) or sensory-avoiding (i.e., actively pulling away from overwhelming stimuli). This means that no one solution will work for every person – neurodivergent or neurotypical – in your work environment. It’s important to ask questions and seek to understand what works best for each individual, allowing them to have autonomy and input into their work environment.

In Conclusion

At the end of the day, creating sensory-friendly environments allows employees to do their best work. Without the distraction, anxiety, and frustration that comes with sensory overload, employees can focus better, be more productive, and lead happier careers in a workplace that cares about them.

Looking for additional ways to create a sensory-friendly workplace? Check out the BBC’s “Sensory Environment Checklist” for a guide to navigate creating an environment that works for minds of all kinds.

If you're on the path towards making your work environment more neuro-inclusive, Beyond Neurodiversity can help. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you create a workplace where everyone can thrive!

The information contained herein is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice.