Creating a Sensory-Based Thinking Environment

If you are a sensory thinker, create an environment to sooth your nervous system’s processing needs while stimulating your focus.

A neurodivergent thinker’s perceptive-pace differs from a neurotypical thinker's. I saw this often during my teaching years.

Since many neurodivergent individuals are more reliant upon physical senses to understand and operate in the world around them, they have to envision the words they hear. Verbal information that is presented too quickly can scramble their thinking and slow them down.

At the same time, these sensory processors are able to understand patterns and systems much more quickly than their neurotypical peers, and they see multiple possibilities for problem-solving. They can swiftly manipulate objects in their mind, catch nuances in color, or point out less obvious overlapping information.

I was fortunate to meet sensory thinker, Temple Grandin, and her mother, Eustacia Cutler, when they spoke at one of my former schools. Their explanation of sensory thinkers was enlightening and changed the way I taught! 

In Grandin’s book, Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions, I not only had dog-eared, but heavily annotated pages. Grandin wrote:  

Imagine a world with no artists, industrial designers, or inventors. No electricians, mechanics, architects, plumbers, or builders. These are our visual thinkers, many hiding in plain sight, and we have failed to understand, encourage, or appreciate their specific contributions. 

If you are a sensory thinker, create an environment to sooth your nervous system’s processing needs while stimulating your focus. Try some of these techniques.

• Find your clutter limit - know what items will distract you and remove them from work areas. Keep those items that are needed to maintain focus.

• Find your fidget - use sensory tools to distract the part of your brain that over processes so you zero in on what needs to be done. 

• Use your comfort colors - decorate your area with the colors you find soothing and energizing.

• Adjust the scents around you - rid yourself of aromas that are too powerful and use lighter scents, or just go fragrance free. 

• Look to the light - use softer lighting or accent lighting rather than bright, flickering fluorescent lights.

• Tone down the noise - turn down loud sounds when possible and be mindful of echos that can distract; consider noise canceling headphones in busy areas

• Ground your nervous system - try using weighted blankets, bean bags, or textured pillows to add comfort.

• Advocate for yourself - Get comfortable asking others to slow down or repeat themselves when information comes at you too quickly. 

• Create a small sacred space - one that does not over stimulate and allows for a mini-get away.

Surroundings mean so much to many people. Take the time to know yourself and create your optimal productivity space. If you need support getting started, coaching can help.