How to Create a Sensory Room for Your Child on the Autism Spectrum in Nigeria
Providing a sensory room can be a game-changer for Nigerian parents with children on the autism spectrum. In our society, where professional therapy may be unavailable or expensive, a home-based sensory room offers a handy and useful solution for optimizing your child's behavior, attention, emotional regulation, and daily functioning.
In this guide, we’ll take you through everything necessary to design an autism-friendly sensory room in Nigeria — even on a budget.
What Is a Sensory Room?
A sensory room is a specially designed safe space that offers a variety of sensory experiences to help children regulate their sensory input. For children with autism, these experiences can be soothing, stimulating, or organizing depending on their individual sensory needs.
Benefits of a Sensory Room
Improves focus and attention
Reduces sensory overload
Encourages communication and interaction
Promotes calmness and emotional regulation
Supports gross motor skills and coordination
Understanding Sensory Needs in Autism
Autistic children may be hypersensitive or hyposensitive to sensory input such as sound, light, touch, taste, and movement.
Common Sensory Challenges:
Covering ears in noisy places
Avoiding certain textures or foods
Constantly spinning or jumping
Difficulty with balance or coordination
Understanding your child’s unique sensory profile will help you design a space that caters to their specific needs.
Planning Your Sensory Room: Nigerian Context
To achieve this, you don't need a fancy room or huge budget. Even a small corner of your living room under the staircase or your child's bedroom can become a sensory space.
Step 1: Identify Your Space
Choose a quiet, low-traffic area with minimal distractions. It could be:
A spare room
A part of your child's bedroom
A part of your sitting room with a curtain divider
Step 2: Determine Your Budget
Start with what you have already. You can build a sensory room with as low as N10,000 if you get creative with local materials. Focus on items that meet your child’s needs for sensory regulation.
Step 3: Choose Your Sensory Elements
Tactile (Touch) Items
Local alternatives: Soft Ankara fabrics, mats, or foam pieces
DIY ideas: Texture boards using sponge, garri, beans, sand bags or rice glued to cardboard
Visual Stimuli
Fairy lights or LED strips (available in local markets)
Glow-in-the-dark stickers or painted murals
Lava lamps (optional, can be expensive)
Auditory Tools
Noise-cancelling headphones or ear muffs (locally available or online)
Calming playlists with African lullabies or nature sounds
Homemade shakers using recycled plastic bottles ( such as bottled water cans, pepsi containers)with beans or beads. Make it age appropriate
Vestibular (Movement) Equipment
Hammock or swing hung from ceiling beams or door beams (be careful with this)
Exercise ball /therapy ball(available at Nigerian sports shops)
Mattress for jumping or soft play ( a trampoline can also serve depending on your budget)
Proprioceptive Input
Heavy blankets (DIY with old clothes or rice-filled cloths)
Push-and-pull games with tug ropes or rubber bands
Climbing pillows or local foam blocks
Budget-Friendly Sensory Items Available in Nigeria
Safety Tips for Sensory Rooms
Ensure all hanging items are securely fastened.
Avoid choking hazards, especially for toddlers.
Supervise your child during sensory play.
Keep electrical items out of reach or covered.
Personalize the Experience
Every child is different in a unique way. Experiment to know what calms, excites, or overwhelms your child. Rotate toys or play elements weekly or twice weekly to keep the room engaging.
Daily Sensory Room Schedule (Sample)
Morning: 10 mins of swinging, followed by a calming song
Afternoon: Tactile play and proprioceptive exercises
Evening: Dim lights, calming music, and visual stimuli
Incorporating Faith and Culture
For Nigerian Christian families, you can integrate scripture-based affirmations, soothing gospel instrumentals, or visual displays of Bible verses to create a calming, faith-filled environment.
Real-Life Stories: Nigerian Parents Share
> “My son used to scream when returning from school. We created a small sensory corner with fairy lights and fabric textures. Now, he calms down within minutes.” – Mrs. Ijeoma, Enugu
> “I couldn’t afford therapy at the time. The homemade swing and bean bags worked wonders for my daughter’s tantrums.” – Mr. Udo, Uyo
Conclusion: You Too Can Do This!
Creating a sensory room for your child in Nigeria is not only possible — it's a powerful tool for improving their quality of life. With basic resources, creativity, and love, you can transform your home into a haven of peace, learning, and joy.
Let your child lead the way, and don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what works best. Also read how to create a sensory friendly home for more context
Ready to start your sensory room journey? Share your setup with us and inspire other parents across Nigeria!
Written by Dr. Pascaline for Autism Parenting in Nigeria Blog