Many of our children have heightened senses.  This means that they can become upset by the environment.  Most commonly, sight and sound pose challenging in the classroom. If their line of vision is busy it could distract them and overstimulate them. Calm backing paper and a less ‘busy’ wall in close proximity can help. A tidy, uncluttered classroom would assist. Ear defenders could be used for those children who are distressed by noise.

Schools are by default noisy busy places and some children find the environment difficult to cope with and even become stressed and anxious. That can lead to further behaviour we might not want to see. So, incorporating a quiet time in the lesson or a place to go at break can really help to alleviate over stimulation.

Some lunchtime activities such as a chess club or a reading club are a perfect opportunity to learn something in a quieter environment which can be more easily enforced.

There’s a natural space each person feels comfortable with and it’s the same with pupils and teachers. Enter that space without invitation and it can spark anxiety, emotional shutdown, fear or aggression. Similarly, everyone has a different response to sound, smell, light, texture, temperature and touch.

Some of our class really don’t like change. They get accustomed to the seating arrangement, the order of things and how things are done. That means we have to consider introducing change carefully and with advance warning so that there are no surprises and we can manage anxiety.