Training in the sensory approach in institutions for autistic individuals
Understanding and supporting sensory particularities to improve the quality of life for autistic residents in facilities
Sensory particularities are one of the most important and least understood characteristics of autism. Hypersensitivity to sounds, intolerance to certain textures, seeking visual stimulation: these specificities deeply affect the daily lives of autistic individuals. In institutions, where the environment is shared and stimuli are multiple, taking these particularities into account is crucial. Training teams in the sensory approach can significantly improve the well-being of residents and prevent many crisis situations.
Understanding sensory particularities in autism
Sensory particularities are now part of the diagnostic criteria for autism in the DSM-5. They concern almost all autistic individuals, although their manifestations vary considerably from person to person. Understanding these particularities is the first step towards appropriate support.
The sensory system of autistic individuals processes information differently. Some modalities may be hypersensitive (excessive reaction to normal stimuli) or hyposensitive (need for intense stimulation to perceive). These particularities can vary over time and depending on the context, making constant adaptation necessary.
of autistic individuals exhibit sensory particularities
potentially affected sensory systems
of challenging behaviors linked to sensory causes
The seven sensory systems
Beyond the five classic senses, two other sensory systems are particularly important in autism: the proprioceptive system (perception of the body's position in space) and the vestibular system (balance and movement). The seven systems can present particularities that add up and interact.
The auditory system
Auditory hypersensitivity is very common: ordinary sounds (vacuum cleaner, doorbell, multiple conversations) can be perceived as painful. Conversely, some individuals may seek specific sounds or seem not to hear when absorbed in an activity. In institutions, collective noises (cafeteria, hallways) often pose significant challenges.
The visual system
Sensitivity to light (neon lights, direct light), movement, bright colors, or complex patterns can generate discomfort. Some individuals avoid eye contact not due to social difficulty but because of sensory overload. Others may be fascinated by certain visual stimuli (reflections, moving objects).
The tactile system
Tactile hypersensitivity manifests as intolerance to certain clothing textures, foods, or light touch. Physical contact, even well-intentioned, can be poorly experienced. Hyposensitivity may be expressed as a search for deep pressure or apparent insensitivity to pain.
The olfactory and gustatory systems
Kitchen odors, cleaning products, perfumes can be perceived in an amplified way and trigger reactions of disgust or avoidance. Taste particularities often contribute to the food selectivity frequently seen in autism.
The proprioceptive and vestibular systems
Altered proprioception can affect motor coordination and body awareness. The search for proprioceptive stimulation explains certain behaviors such as rocking, jumping, or seeking deep pressure. The vestibular system influences balance and can generate either avoidance of movement or intense seeking of it.
The cumulative impact of stimuli
Different sensory stimuli add up and can lead to sensory overload. A person may tolerate moderate noise in a calm environment, but not the same noise if it is added to bright light, strong odors, and movement around them. Training should raise awareness of this cumulative dimension to understand varying tolerance thresholds.
Assessing the sensory profile
Before any intervention, an assessment of each person's sensory profile is essential. This assessment identifies hypersensitivities, hyposensitivities, and the individual's regulation strategies. It forms the basis for personalized support.
Assessment tools
Several standardized tools allow for the assessment of the sensory profile. The Dunn Sensory Profile, in its various versions (child, adult, abbreviated), is the most widely used. It evaluates sensory responses across different modalities and identifies behavioral patterns (seeking, avoidance, sensitivity, registration). Other tools like the Sensory Profile Checklist or observation grids can complement the assessment.
Clinical assessment by a trained occupational therapist or psychomotor therapist provides a more nuanced analysis, with observations in real situations. Daily observation by teams, guided by structured grids, enriches this assessment by capturing contextual and temporal variations.
| Sensory modality | Signs of hypersensitivity | Signs of hyposensitivity |
|---|---|---|
| Auditory | Covering ears, avoiding noisy places, reacting to distant sounds | Seeks loud sounds, does not react when called |
| Visual | Avoids bright light, squints, looks away | Stares at lights, seeks moving objects |
| Tactile | Refuses certain clothing, avoids touch, discomfort during washing | Seeks strong pressure, touches everything, appears insensitive |
| Proprioceptive | Rigid movements, postural discomfort | Rocks, jumps, seeks compression |
| Vestibular | Avoids movement, motion sickness | Spins, seeks intense movement |
Adapting the institutional environment
The environment of a medico-social establishment is generally not designed with sensory particularities in mind. Collective noises, standardized lighting, shared spaces: these characteristics can generate constant sensory stress for autistic residents. Adapting the environment is a major lever for improving well-being.
Sound environment adjustments
Reducing ambient noise involves several interventions: sound-absorbing coverings (carpets, acoustic panels), silent furniture (pads under chairs), organization limiting simultaneous noise sources. Quiet areas, shielded from collective noises, should be accessible to allow for recharging.
For hypersensitive individuals, providing hearing protection (headphones, earplugs) offers a complementary individual solution. These devices should be presented positively and their use facilitated so that residents can use them independently when they feel the need.
Visual environment adjustments
Lighting deserves special attention. Neon lights, particularly problematic (flickering, noise), can be replaced with quality LEDs. Dimmers allow for adjusting light intensity. The use of natural light, when possible, is generally better tolerated. Less brightly lit areas offer refuges for light-sensitive individuals.
The overall visual environment should avoid overload: calming colors rather than bright ones, sober and organized displays, closed storage to reduce visual clutter. Clear and stable signage aids navigation without visually overwhelming.
COCO: activities adapted to sensory profiles
The COCO PENSE and COCO BOUGE program by DYNSEO offers activities adaptable to sensory particularities. The clean interface, progressive difficulty levels, and absence of aggressive visual or auditory stimuli suit hypersensitive individuals. The alternation between calm cognitive activities and active breaks meets sensory regulation needs. Teams can adjust usage according to each resident's sensory profile.
Discover COCODedicated sensory spaces
More and more establishments are creating dedicated sensory spaces, sometimes called snoezelen rooms after the original Dutch concept. These spaces allow for either calming (calm and controlled environment) or stimulating (for hyposensitive individuals), depending on each person's needs.
Equipment for a sensory space
A sensory space can include various equipment depending on the objectives. For calming: dimmable and adjustable lighting, soft music, gentle visual elements (fiber optics, projections), comfortable mattresses, weighted blankets. For stimulation: vibrating objects, swings, trampolines, balls with varied textures. The important thing is that the space can be adapted to individual needs.
Access to the sensory space should be facilitated to allow for self-regulation. A resident who feels anxiety or overload should be able to go there independently or with assistance. The rules for use are defined with the teams and adapted to each person.
- Calm zone with adjustable lighting and soundproofing
- Varied comfortable seating (beanbag, hammock, armchair)
- Soothing visual elements (fiber optics, projector)
- Varied tactile materials (weighted blanket, sensory balls)
- Controllable sound equipment (music, nature sounds)
- Movement space if possible (swing, trampoline)
- Organized storage for materials
- Clear and visual usage rules
"Creating a sensory space in our home has been a revolution. Residents who use it regularly are much calmer during the day. We have observed a significant decrease in challenging behaviors. It has become an essential tool in our support, and training the teams has been crucial for its proper use."
Sensory regulation strategies
Beyond adapting the environment, trained professionals can propose sensory regulation strategies tailored to each resident. These strategies aim either to avoid overload or to provide the necessary stimulation for hyposensitive individuals.
The sensory diet
The concept of "sensory diet" refers to a personalized program of sensory activities integrated into the day to maintain an optimal level of regulation. Just as a food diet balances nutrients, a sensory diet balances sensory inputs. It is developed by an occupational therapist or psychomotor therapist and implemented by the entire team.
A sensory diet may include proprioceptive activities (wearing a weighted vest, pushing exercises), regular sensory breaks (access to the calm space), movement activities (walking, rocking), and available regulation tools (fidget, stress ball). Integrating these elements into the daily schedule prevents overload.
Individual regulation tools
Tools can be made available to residents for self-regulation. For hypersensitive individuals: noise-canceling headphones, tinted glasses, calm fidgets. For hyposensitive individuals: chewable objects, weighted balls, vibrating cushions. Team training includes knowledge of these tools and support for their use.
The long-term goal is to develop self-regulation: for the person to recognize their own sensory needs and use appropriate strategies independently. This learning occurs gradually, with the support of professionals.
DYNSEO Training: integrating the sensory approach
The training "Supporting a child with autism: keys and solutions for everyday life" from DYNSEO addresses sensory particularities and their consideration in support. It enables professionals to understand sensory manifestations, assess needs, and implement appropriate strategies. This training complements the specialized contributions of the occupational therapist or psychomotor therapist for a cohesive team.
Discover the trainingAdapting daily moments
Meals
Meal times often accumulate numerous sensory solicitations: noises from the dining room, kitchen odors, food textures, proximity to other diners. For sensitive residents, adjustments can facilitate this moment: placement in a quieter corner, the possibility of eating at staggered times or in a separate space if necessary, adapting food textures.
Food selectivity, common in autism, often has sensory components. Intolerances to certain textures, temperatures, or mixtures must be respected. Expanding the food repertoire, if desired, is done very gradually and without pressure.
Hygiene care
Hygiene care (showering, dressing, dental care) intensely engages the tactile system. Water on the skin, friction from clothing, tooth brushing can be experienced as unpleasant or even painful. Adjustments can reduce discomfort: adjusted water temperature and pressure, clothing with tolerated textures, soft toothbrushes.
Anticipation and ritual secure these moments. A predictable sequence, visual supports indicating the steps, calm and patient support reduce anxiety. Each resident's preferences are documented and respected by the entire team.
Activities and movements
Proposed activities must take sensory profiles into account. A highly stimulating activity (loud music, movement) will suit hyposensitive individuals but not hypersensitive ones. Offering alternatives or adaptations (noise-canceling headphones, placement away from speakers) allows for the inclusion of all.
Movements (within the establishment, outside) expose individuals to varied and sometimes unpredictable stimuli. Preparing them (information about the expected environment), equipping them (hearing protection for transport), and planning recovery times after outings help sensitive individuals manage these situations.
💡 Resources for teams and families
To deepen the understanding of sensory needs and their consideration, DYNSEO offers complementary resources. The guide for supporting autistic children and the guide for supporting autistic adults address sensory particularities and propose concrete strategies. These guides can be shared with families for a coherent approach.
Training the entire team
The sensory approach can only be effective if it is shared by the entire team. All professionals in contact with residents must understand sensory particularities and adapt their behavior. Training at multiple levels allows for this collective appropriation.
Awareness training for all
A basic training sensitizes all staff (educators, caregivers, general services) to the sensory particularities of autism. It helps understand residents' behaviors, adopt appropriate attitudes (speak softly, avoid strong perfumes, signal presence before touching), and contribute to a respectful environment.
In-depth training for referents
Referent professionals (educators, psychomotor therapists, occupational therapists) receive more in-depth training. They master assessment tools, know how to develop personalized sensory regulation plans, animate sensory spaces, and support their colleagues in implementing adaptations.
Supervision and practice analysis
Beyond initial training, regular times for supervision or practice analysis allow for addressing difficult situations, sharing observations, and refining strategies. An occupational therapist or psychomotor therapist can intervene for these collective reflection times.
The key role of the occupational therapist and psychomotor therapist
The occupational therapist and psychomotor therapist are the most specialized professionals in sensory assessment and support. Their expertise is valuable for training teams, assessing profiles, designing spaces, and regulation programs. If there is none in the establishment, a partnership with an external practitioner can be considered to benefit from this expertise.
Evaluating the impact of the sensory approach
Implementing a sensory approach represents an investment in training, equipment, and organization. Evaluating its impact allows for demonstrating its usefulness and adjusting actions. Several indicators can be monitored.
Well-being indicators
The well-being of residents is the primary objective. Assessment tools for well-being (observation of positive behaviors, adapted questionnaires) allow for measuring it. The reduction of signs of stress and sensory discomfort is a direct indicator of the effectiveness of adaptations.
Challenging behavior indicators
The decrease in challenging behaviors, in frequency and intensity, often reflects the effectiveness of the sensory approach. Monitoring incidents and analyzing them from a sensory perspective (did the behavior have a sensory trigger?) feeds into this evaluation.
Participation indicators
Improved participation in activities and autonomy in daily tasks reflects better sensory comfort. Residents who now accept participating in previously avoided activities, or who tolerate hygiene care better, show the benefits of adaptations.
Conclusion: an approach that transforms daily life
The sensory approach represents a paradigm shift in supporting autistic individuals in institutions. By moving from a behavior-centered view to an understanding of the underlying sensory causes, it opens up respectful and effective intervention pathways.
Training teams is the key to this transformation. Understanding each resident's sensory particularities, adapting the environment, proposing regulation strategies, creating dedicated spaces: all these actions significantly contribute to improving the quality of life for supported individuals.
Tools like DYNSEO's COCO program, with their adapted interface and activities respectful of sensory particularities, naturally integrate into this approach. By combining training, adjustments, and suitable tools, establishments can offer a truly welcoming environment for autistic individuals.
