Autistic children can have significant sensitivities to their sensory surroundings. All humans need their surroundings to be comfortable: that’s why we have central heating, glazed windows, indoor lighting and soundproofing.
Autistic people’s sensory calibration is just a bit more sensitive, but it isn’t usually catered for. As a result, autistic people spend much of their time feeling very uncomfortable and stressed – imagine if the central heating broke in winter, or every light in your house was twice as bright, and you’ll have an idea of what it can be like!
The Need for Both Stimulation and Sanctuary
This sensitivity can go in both directions, with oversensitivity causing both distress but also enjoyment. Imagine being very sensitive to sound – you might feel that some noises are very unpleasant and distracting, so you may wear ear defenders. However, on the other hand you may love music, being highly sensitive to the joys and emotions of melodies and instruments.
This contrast of experience means that autistic children (and adults, such as myself) benefit from having access to at least two different types of space: a sensory seeking zone, filled with colours and shapes, sounds and textures, and also a quiet room, darker, quieter – a space to decompress and find peace and even solitude.
Nature-Inspired Sensory Rooms
Historically designers of sensory rooms have tended to focus on the former, creating beautiful – but busy – rooms and environments that are excellent at providing sensory stimulation, but which are too overwhelming for many autistic children. Tigerplay are dedicated to considering both aspects of autistic sensory life and provide quiet spaces alongside these more traditional sensory rooms.
The soothing materials and natural designs of Tigerplay’s products is also perfect for autistic people, whose sensory needs tend to be very focused on the natural. Artificial smells, harsh chemicals and bright unnatural colours may be too much, whereas natural woods and soothing gentle colours and designs tap into autistic people’s love of the natural world.
