Therapeutic Sensory Boards for Adults With Special Needs - Easy DIY Guide

Sensory Boards for Adults: A Therapeutic Aid for Individuals with Special Needs

A sensory board, also known as a busy board, is a therapeutic tool often used for individuals with special needs, such as those with autism, ADHD or Alzheimer's disease. Sensory boards provide stimulating activities that can help engage the senses, promote focus, and manage stress or anxiety. With a wide variety of textures, colors, and manipulatives, sensory boards allow the user to stay occupied with positive and engaging tasks. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore what sensory boards are, their many benefits, who they can help, and how to make your own customized sensory board at home.

What is a Sensory Board?

A sensory board is a board or panel mounted with various objects and manipulatives that provide different sensory experiences through sight, touch, sound, and even smell. Some common items attached to a sensory board include:

• Textures like sandpaper, felt, or rubber
• Buttons or switches to turn on lights or music
• Items with different colors and shapes
• Noisemakers like bells, squeakers, or jingle bells
• Items with scents like flowers, spices, or extracts
• Fidget toys like gears, sliding beads, spinning tops
• Fabrics to touch like silk, burlap, or fleece

These multisensory components provide stimulation and occupy the user's hands, eyes, ears, and nose. Sensory boards allow the individual to manipulate the items on the board which can increase focus, relieve anxiety, and encourage the use of fine motor skills. They provide a positive outlet for curiosity, interaction, and sensory input.

The Therapeutic Benefits of Sensory Boards

There are many therapeutic benefits that sensory boards can provide:

• Cognitive stimulation - The engaging multisensory components help stimulate the mind and senses to increase alertness, attention span, and memory.
• Stress relief - Fidgeting with the items can help relieve anxiety, agitation, and restlessness in a healthy way.
• Focus - The hands-on activities can help improve concentration skills and duration of focus.
• Fine motor skills - Manipulating the items helps strengthen hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
• Self-regulation - Exploring the different textures and sounds can help calm the nervous system and manage sensory processing disorders.
• Communication skills - They provide opportunities for nonverbal communication, self-expression, and choice-making.
• Independence - Being able to manipulate and interact with the board promotes a sense of control and independence.

In addition to the therapeutic benefits, sensory boards are also an easy and low-cost tool to help keep individuals engaged and occupied during downtime. They can be used in homes, schools, therapies, and care facilities to support special needs populations.

Individuals Who Can Benefit from Sensory Boards

Here are some of the key groups of people who may find sensory boards particularly helpful:

• Individuals with autism or sensory processing disorders - The multisensory input can help regulate the nervous system and manage sensory sensitivities.
• People with Alzheimer's or dementia - The cognitive stimulation and fine motor activities help engage the mind and delay progression of the disease.
• Those with ADHD - The manipulatives provide positive outlets to expend energy and encourage sustained focus.
• Adults with anxiety or stress - Fidgeting with the items can relieve nervous energy and agitation.
• Those recovering from traumatic brain injuries - The activities help rebuild cognitive skills, fine motor control, and focus.
• Individuals with intellectual disabilities - They provide opportunities for sensory exploration, sensory processing, and cognitive development in a fun way.

Sensory boards are very versatile and can be tailored to suit the needs of the user. The stimulating multisensory experiences are beneficial for a wide spectrum of individuals, from children to seniors. They can help support special needs, manage behaviors, encourage communication, and improve quality of life.

Creating Your Own Sensory Board

Making your own sensory board at home is easy, affordable, and fun! Follow these steps:

1. Choose a Base

First, select a sturdy board to mount your sensory materials on. Good options include:

• A wooden board or plaque
• Foam core board
• Corrugated plastic sheet
• Cork board

Make sure the base is lightweight enough for the user to hold but large enough to mount several sensory items. For adults, aim for 12'' x 18'' or larger.

2. Select Your Materials

Next, gather an assortment of sensory items to attach to the board. Try to stimulate all five senses with different:

• Textures - felt, silicone beads, burlap, fake fur, sandpaper
• Visuals - photos, colorful images, mirrors, beads, mini lights
• Sounds - bells, rain stick, mini drum, musical toys
• Smells - essential oils, flowers, extracts, scented stickers
• Tastes - flavored lip balms, lollipops, mints

Also incorporate fidget items like wires, gears, slider beads, spinners, and pop tubes. Rotate materials out periodically to keep it fresh and interesting.

3. Arrange and Attach Items

Adhere your selected sensory materials to your base board in any arrangement you prefer. Space items out enough for easy interaction. Use hot glue, industrial strength velcro, screws, or sticky back velcro squares to firmly attach items.

Grouping similar items together works well, such as a "Textures" corner or "Smells" section. You can also attach smaller sensory boards to the base board for removable modules.

4. Add Borders and Decorations

To finish it off, consider adding:

• Borders around the edges made of textured tape, pom poms, or foam beads
• Acrylic paint designs or color blocks
• Trim around the sides
• Meaningful decorations like family photos or personal mementos

Add touches to make it visually pleasing and meaningful for the user. The options are endless!

5. Use and Maintain It

Set up the sensory board in an easily accessible place for the user. Demonstrate how to use and interact with all the components to get the full sensory experience. Schedule time for regular use daily to promote engagement and build a routine.

Check components regularly and replace or update items as needed. Wipe down surfaces periodically to keep sanitary. Modify and expand the board as abilities evolve.

Inspirational Sensory Board Ideas

Need some inspiration for your own sensory board? Here are a few creative ideas:

Texture Board

This tactile board focuses solely on texture. Attach diverse fabric scraps like burlap, fleece, silk, rubber, and sandpaper. Add knots, pompoms, or textured wallpaper for more variety.

Fidget Board

Stimulate fine motor skills with movable parts like abacus beads, sliding bolts, spinning tops, interlocking gears, snap beads, and pop tubes. Use high contrast colors.

Aromatherapy Board

Incorporate scents with an aromatherapy board. Use essential oils, flowers, potpourri, perfume samples, scented soaps, or flavored lip balms. Refresh scents regularly.

Visual Stimulation Board

Catch the eye with mirrors, photos, mini lights, stained glass, glitters, beads, color blocks, and interesting visual patterns. Use captivating colors and shapes.

Memory Board

Craft a nostalgic memory board using old family photos, event tickets, nature finds, ribbons from gifts, and other sentimental memorabilia. Arrange creatively.

Safety Tips for Sensory Boards

When designing your sensory board, keep these safety guidelines in mind:

• Attach items very securely so they cannot be pulled off and choke or injure user
• Only use nontoxic craft materials
• Select large pieces that cannot be swallowed
• Avoid sharp, pointy, or fragile objects
• Use rounded corners and edges
• Check for lead and phthalates if using vintage items
• Use child-safe scents and flavors

Properly supervise use of the board and do not leave the individual unattended with small or removable pieces. Sensory boards encourage interaction but be sure to maintain a safe environment.

Benefits of Making Your Own Sensory Board

While premade sensory boards are available for purchase, making your own has many advantages:

• Customizable to the individual's unique needs and preferences
• More cost-effective than buying one
• Refreshable by easily changing out materials
• Promotes engagement through hands-on creation
• Can involve the individual in designing process
• Allows for personalized touches
• Materials can be found around the home

A homemade sensory board lets you tailor it specifically to what will be most stimulating and beneficial. Plus, the process of creating it together can be rewarding!

In Summary

Sensory boards are an excellent therapeutic tool to help engage the senses, encourage focus, develop fine motor skills, and manage anxiety or unwanted behaviors. The interactive and multisensory nature provides cognitive and physical stimulation and a positive outlet for many individuals with special needs.

Creating a customized sensory board at home is easy and affordable. Allow your creativity to run wild and select items with unique colors, textures, sounds, scents, and tastes meaningful to the individual. Arrange components securely on a base board and add fun decorations to finish. Use it regularly for therapeutic benefits now while maintaining safety. Refresh and modify it as needed.

A homemade sensory board can be an invaluable resource for adults and seniors with autism, dementia, ADHD, anxiety, or sensory processing challenges. Provide a positive diversion, sensory input, and a means for nonverbal communication through the simple power of touch.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.