Buffalo Elementary School
Daniel Prince
Special room meets the sensory needs of their students
When we think of a diet, it often revolves around what we eat, but Buffalo Elementary School sent out a reminder that some students need a diet based on their other senses, such as touch, hearing, and vision. The school supports these students’ sensory needs by providing a sensory room at the school.
The first sensory room was created in the 1970s in the Netherlands and began showing up in the US in the 1990s. Buffalo has had a sensory room at the school for many years, and it was upgraded in 2019. They note that the room isn’t just for students with disabilities but for everyone with a sensory need that could benefit from the tools there. They have several different tools in the room, including a squeezer, bubble light, mirror wall, scented balls, fiber optic lamps, a light cube, kinetic sand table, a swing, and a trampoline. There are tools available for use in the classroom, as well, such as a sensory cushion or a wobble chair for those with “the wiggles” or who need to change their seating position constantly. For those who have trouble fidgeting a pencil, manufacturers make fidget toppers that fit on the tops of pencils.
At home, the school suggests Play-Doh for those with sensory needs. Pop-it tools are also good for them. For younger students, they suggest trying whipped cream spread on a table or aluminum foil and have them write or draw different things on it. For more help, contact your student’s teacher or a special education professional.