This article by Thomas Wilson, a Neuro Diversity Specialist, is part of a parallel shared guest post with TTRPGkids, who has written another article on “how TTRPGs help us with making mistakes”.  You can find both articles on TTRPGkids [here] or Thomas’s website [here].

There is nothing like a comfortable, secure, calm space where we feel at home and know we will be respected. This Space is rare for so many youth and often does not exist. However, what if I told you we can craft these spaces throughout the community? How would that make you feel? What if you could take your family to a space where you know you and your family would be treated with respect? And what if you could utilize these spaces to play, laugh, and let go of your worries? These spaces exist, and setting up these spaces is easier than you might think. 

Conscious communication

Ongoing communication is one of the most important and vital ways to establish a sensory-friendly space.  It is crucial to mention that shared communication thrives when both parties equally contribute to the conversation.  It is also important to note that not all communication is verbal. Communication can be physical, behavioral, emotional, and even through the expression of lighting and the quality of the Space we provide. In reality, communication goes beyond what we can observe with our eyes, and all behavior must be a means to share something. So, in truth, everything we do presents what we want to say to our community.  In this, we can greet people with empathy, listen with intention, act with patience, let go of our ego to put others first, and openly take in our player’s ideas, all while making sure we utilize our Space by spreading out, paying attention to noise levels, and carrying ourselves as best we can to represent kind communication. 

Mindfulness in action

Another key element of setting up a sensory-friendly space is the energy of the Space. What I mean by this is how you present yourself at all times; this ranges from the tone of your voice to how you use your body, how close you get to attendees, the understanding of when and how you make jokes, and the way you use the Space around you. While this may seem like a lot to think of at all times, one key way to utilize these skills in the beginning is to practice mindfulness.  Mindfulness can help us observe how our interactions, techniques, and intentions can impact others. Additionally, I recommend keeping the communication skills mentioned in the prior paragraph in rotation. Often, the best way to apply these skills is through community involvement.  I also recommend doing dry runs of the events you conduct at your Space, as this can help you know the restrictions of your Space and how you can adapt your Space to those who show up. Finally, I also recommend that your facilitators match their energy to the space and understand how to adjust it for those attending actively.

Intentional Accessibility

The next step is to craft a welcoming space that honors the needs of those who attend. This may seem simple, but it can actually be deeply intricate. People often assume that accessibility jumps include ramps, elevators, or automatic doors. Despite this, Accessibility goes far beyond  and includes making sure the lighting matches the visibility needs of those who attend, that rooms do not echo noise too much, that the space has comfortable places to sit, and that it respects the beliefs of those who attend. Truly, Accessibility is a physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive practice. Our spaces need to also help craft cultures of respect, dignity, accountability, and honesty. When we space out our rooms, establish lighting, or even advertise our spaces, it is vital to carry out the design with the knowledge that we can adapt and refocus our intentions. 

Honoring boundaries and group safety

Spaces must be both accessible and accepting. Often, youth arrive at events feeling judged and critical of themselves. They need environments where they can be themselves, share their thoughts, and experience lightheartedness. It’s important for youth to maintain boundaries during activities, as boundaries differ from hostility. Recognizing that all behavior communicates something, we should create opportunities for them to express ideas through creativity and play. As facilitators, we need to balance creative expression with maintaining a safe, respectful space. 

Clear direction and intention help establish this balance. Upholding boundaries is not rude; it’s a compassionate act. While not every situation can be addressed, these principles can lay a strong foundation. Creating a safe and calm space is essential, as it becomes pointless if our environments are unsafe. Balancing a sense of calm with awareness of safety risks can be challenging, especially with large groups. Competent facilitation and genuine support are vital, as trust cannot be built in chaotic or hazardous settings. We must act thoughtfully and understand how to manage safety effectively: how to move attendees to a safe area, how long they should stay, how to seek help when needed, and how to maintain a calm demeanor. It’s important to address how to ensure everyone remains safe without panicking and how to rebuild trust in our space afterward. While feeling stressed is valid, focusing on positive moments of joy and laughter can help. Ultimately, joy and fun will prevail over worry and fear if we set up our space well.

Do your best and be ready to adjust

While these steps are essential, they are very much the beginning and must be developed to craft the best sensory Space possible. These steps are meant to be a community experience with much input and reworking to adjust how they can be implemented in an ongoing manner. Additionally, there is no answer that will perfectly match everyone. 

Because of that, adapting is crucial, as are you and your staff’s emotional and mental support as you go. However,  I am sure if you act with self-awareness and intention and listen fully, you will have the potential to succeed in developing your sensory-friendly Space.

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