Sensory room for a 6 year old with autism
by
Ton7636847
+16
My son has huge meltdowns being on the spectrum. Closet sliding doors got hauled out after he cracked one. I need help finding SAFE and STURDY ways to utilize the closet space, and some how, I need to do some kind of storage in here. The big blue thing, is an egg for spinning, tent for small place,... Basically.. It's not just mess everything has a sensory reason, so the need to be available if he asks for sensory breaks. I have ZERO ideas here, but I need some way to close off closet, and put things "where they belong" at the end of the day. I just need strange stuff, and the three layer one his brother has is packed to full.
And boring. I'm sure I can find stuff, there's a shoe thing posted that was a cabinet.
Any ideas on how to "close" off the closets?
And boring. I'm sure I can find stuff, there's a shoe thing posted that was a cabinet.
Any ideas on how to "close" off the closets?
Closet doors were removed for safety. He head butts and cracked the one sliding door, so both got removed
Blinds got destroyed during meltdown.
17 answers
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You don't mention how old your son is. Have you thought of getting a kick boxing unit. If you go to any marshal arts place or a sporting store they should Have one or know where you might find one. Once he has some thing he can take his melt downs out on he may feel better about himself. Oh buy the way you might put it in the closet because they can get hit hard enough to make a dent in the sheet rock. My grandson had anger issues and it worked well for him without getting into to much trouble. Marshall arts might even help him channel his melt downs.
Jdv1547976
on Jul 03, 2016
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Oh I wish I could give you a HUGE HUG right now, it can't be easy. Just reading between the lines I think you are doing an amazing job. I have very little experience with autism, so I'm not sure that what I'm suggesting will help. Looking at the pics it seems your son likes bright primary colors, is it feasible to hang curtains in a fabric that soothes him as a cover for the closet instead of a door and add clearly marked container on the shelf that's already there? You can hang the curtains on a super strength tension bar? A co-worker of mine, who's son is autistic, put some stick-on frosted film on their son's bedroom window to create some privacy for his melt down moments. Lots of luck and hugs.
Michelle Leslie
on Jul 03, 2016
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Crazy ideas. Most of mine are. Make or buy tall, medium and large heavy cardboard boxes moving boxes and cover with thick, green type foam, soft but sturdy. Cover the foam with material for decor. Soft, cheap, destroyable and holds stuff. Back of box can face room, maybe a special picture or design on back, so you don't have to close off bottom portion of closet. Probably not really great as stackable units with foam. These can hold soft stuff at least. Or decorate styrofoam boxes, stacks better. That way you can trim and glue the lid and use as shelf inside styrofoam container. I am thinking of the box opening towards the closet wall or facing room as opposed to the box opening facing the ceiling. Wood shelving as you have now keep on top, out of reach. Close off top portion of closet with short doors or shutters. Do the disability non profit organizations have ideas?
Cass
on Jul 03, 2016
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What about a curtain across the closet door? Or do you need something sturdier?
Mary
on Jul 03, 2016
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My son, now grown has autism. He needed absolute consistency in meals and routines. Also I took everything from his room but bed and chest with his clothes. He still can not tolerate clutter or anything new. So take everything from room but bed, clean out closet and put dresser in closet for his clothes. Allow only 1 toy at a time in room. And keep him to schedule military style. He will feel and act better and you will be happier. Also eliminate all dyes and junk food from his diet. No sugar, no cereal. lots of whole foods can be fixed quickly and this will improve his behavior. It is worth it, believe me.
Nancy
on Jul 03, 2016
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https://www.pinterest.com/explore/sensory-room-autism/
William
on Jul 03, 2016
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Carpet the closet walls with different textured carpets. Hang beads? Utilize plastic dollar tree storage bins. Maybe put a velcro wall up with characters and letters so he can express himself.
Susan
on Jul 03, 2016
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I'm a special ed teacher and find many things you could buy or recreate on educational supply websites. Good luck with him! Does his teacher have any ideas?
Hanneke Bennett
on Jul 03, 2016
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Just a thought...move the dresser in front of the window to block access to the blinds and the dresser would hide the lamp cord for safety sake. Or as Nancy suggested move the dresser into the closet to one side and beside it hang an Ikea storage unit with divided compartments. The unit hangs off the closet rod and can provide you with storage room. These hanging units are not hard. Use a short, plain coloured curtain at the top of the closet to hide stored items and reduce visual distraction.
Faye Campbell
on Jul 04, 2016
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Would a wall unit attached to the closet wall to prevent tipping, with various sizes of cubby holes work? That could eliminate searching causing frustration
Sheila D
on Jul 04, 2016
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He has an ABA (behaviorist) that meets with him at my house M-W-F, but his sensory room usually gets passed over because his goals need to be worked on instant. By Kohl's I mean pooping in the potty, headbutting, eloping etc. etc. I want him to be able to have a set up like classrooms to. But to be honest, my ex-husband took my caregiver two years ago and Dakotas money from SSI and I am just trying to make ends meet. I can barely pay three bills much less rent! LOL The stuff I have for Dakota has been given to me or bought at low income from garage sales etc. knowing what I need coming from the signs of autism. The blue egg he needs, he needs to spin. The trampoline he uses almost daily. His toys and stuff that he lines that are for brakes and histamine toys need to be together as well. I need Waze to elevates things out of his reach so that he cannt see or get to them easily. I am hoping someone has some storage ideas that I can use from items I already have. I've got two boxes made of wood that I bought from Michael's right after Christmas, and I have almost the entire alphabet To go on his wall with all of the numbers. I plan to put those on stickies a to go on his wall with all of the numbers. I plan to put those on stickies/ velcro and turn that into a play game so to speak. But he still has a lot of stuff! None of which I want to get rid of because when I get rid of things he turns around and once in a month down the road. The closet right now is pictured in one of the pictures. It's holding stuff simply out of his way. I'm hoping someone has an idea to
Ton7636847
on Jul 05, 2016
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Mc the closet because of redwood up with something this still "cute "and instead of having all of his toys get left behind because he has nothing but laundry baskets, find places that he can put them away according to pictures or now with words.
Ton7636847
on Jul 05, 2016
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I have no experience with children on the Autism spectrum, but, would curtains, slightly weighted along the bottom (to keep them hanging straight) and hung across the storage closet be worth looking into. He could access the sensory stuff but couldn't injure himself. May be you could paint a calming design on the windows with glass paint. I think some glass paint is easily removable. Blessings on your journey with your little man. You have my heart and admiration for the difficult road you both must walk
WILLOW
on Jul 05, 2016
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Can you possibly ask her to take a picture and post it to me? Or is there a way to send my emails to you? I have got an Idea, finally, that I think will just might work.
Ton7636847
on Jul 05, 2016
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When you decide what will work, let us know or send pictures. Even though you are dealing with a lot, sounds like you are a strong Mom. Just remember to breathe!
Sheila D
on Jul 06, 2016
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For the closet, half doors padded with batting or matts so he can't hurt himself, but still be able to use the closet. You can use cubby holes for his toys and things. Trim with fiber optic flex lights for safety and sensory. Also a hammock chair (made with netting) is good for a sensory effect with the fiber optic lights. Anything that has a texture of any sort. Hopefully, eventually you'll figure out the textures that he likes. Bean bag chairs are always good and serve a double purpose. If he ever gets aggressive you can use it as a barrier between the two of you .
Jo
on Jul 10, 2016
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I took the chairs for outside someone painted bright colors, and letters of all letters with Velcro on them and in a framed board board from a mirror, one of two, he'll put letters to velcro, or write words. Corner will have tons of stuffies n n pillows for calming down. In his tent. In the old mirror it'll be puzzles he can do with help. He's all ready got kindergarten sit words down. And a truck area, for race track area/ racing trucks or lining them up. I also met a teacher who is going something for numbers, I'm going to in use 18inch poles to hang of pole rode so toys he stems with on "breaks" he can CHOSE to put down. Room isn't organized as I want it. HE NEEDS.. I am also using an iPad in the room with a little speaker to play ENYA, which both boys hear growing up until 2. Oldest is 12, n uses now to calm down. This is the BEST of sights!!!! But I can't figure out how to put a icon on my home screen to get easier. I've no idea how to get there minus "you" emailing me. Thanks!!! I'll sent pictures when it's all done.
Ton7636847
on Jul 11, 2016
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