DIY Sensory Room on a Budget

A child obsessively spinning objects is one of the first signs of autism. Raelyn is so obsessed with spinning things, I knew she would love these magnetic spinning gears. Click here to puchase magnetic gears on Amazon. I bought an oil drip pan at Walmart in the auto section for $11, attached it to the wall with command strips, and had an instant magnet board. The pinwheels to the right of the board were actually garden stakes at Hobby Lobby that I just sawed the stake off of. I then drilled a small hole into the wall and inserted the back of the pinwheel

A furry rug provides that sensory stimulation that kids on the spectrum crave. It is also the perfect little space for them to calm down when they feel overstimulated.Click here to purchase on Amazon.

I bought this swing on Amazon for $79 but they are also available at IKEA. Spinning and swinging is very focusing for autistic people. We use this swing multiple time during therapy sessions to help regain her attention. Intense movement such as swinging is also thought to stimulate more areas of the brain, which enhances language comprehension. Click here to purchase on Amazon

Having your child sit on a yoga ball while doing a brain stimulating activity, such as doing a puzzle, forces more parts of the brain to work. Her occupational therapist frequently uses the ball during sessions. If you don’t have someone to help your child sit on the ball, you can put them in a doorway jumper that has been raised high enough for them to sit on the ball.

A simple slide provides many benefits to kids on the spectrum. Climbing up the slide provides very intense sensory input because it requires strength and focus. It is very soothing and focusing for Raelyn. During a therapy session, she has to go climb up the slide a few times every 15 minutes or so to regain focus. The other benefit of the slide is the vestibular input it provides by sliding down. Think of the rush you get on a roller coaster… This is the same effect.

This play-doh bin was given to me by a coworker, but any big plastic container would work. The middle section is filled with dry rice, beans, pasta, and oatmeal. On the top left you will see the different tools for scooping, mixing, and playing with the rice mixture. The bottom left picture is a variety of balloons, socks, and nylons filled with rice and beans. Each one provides a unique sensory experience. There are also a couple of vibrating toys as well as a spinning toy. The top right image shows a variety of objects that are different textures, shapes, and colors. We use all of these items for sensory integration, so I keep them all together in this single bin. This adorable little boy Raelyn is playing with is a fellow blogger’s son. Click here to read about her journey on raising a child with Down Syndrome.

These calm down bottles are really simple and fun to make. Just fill an empty water bottle about 2/3 full with water. Fill the rest of the bottle with clear glue. Then add in glitter, beads, sequins, whatever you think would be soothing to your little one. Raelyn knows how to open any sorts of container so I have to hot glue the lids on and sometimes follow with duct tape! The light in the picture on the left is just a $5 fiber optic lamp from Amazon. The pink globe on the top right is a projection light. It projects stars onto the ceiling, rotates, and changes colors. This was also an Amazon purchase (of course)

You have probably noticed that autistic kids tend to do a lot of rocking back and forth and spinning. This is because it is a way for them to self regulate. This awesome $30 toy provides a fun way for those kids to get the sensory input they crave. Her therapist uses a similar toy, called a turtle, but it costs about $500! So $30 is a really good deal! It is called a Moluk Bilibo and can be purchased here on Amazon

Kids on the spectrum have LOTS of energy, and they need nondestructive methods of burning off this energy. Jumping on a trampoline is a fun and effective way to help them focus that never ending energy! This foldable trampoline can easily be folded up when not in use and holds up to 77 pounds. Click here to purchase on Amazon.