ACE Sensory Space

In a school where students are supposed to feel safe, where do they go when they don’t? An overbearing amount of stress can be caused by mental illness that students may struggle with. Feeling overstimulated during class is very uncomfortable. A great way to avoid this problem is by having the opportunity to have space, to recenter themselves and express what they are feeling in a comfortable room.

On October 24 and 25th at ACE, I took a poll while interviewing students and teachers about their thoughts on the sensory room to see their perspectives. The total number of students was 85. I collected about 62% of the population, due to attendance. The exact number of students that agreed was 53, and the number of students that disagreed was 3. When interviewing them, I would first ask if they knew what a sensory room was. If not, I would respond with a description of one. The exact words were, “a sensory room is a room you can go into whenever you are overstimulated or stressed, and just need a place to recenter.” I would then follow up with the question, “Would you want one at ACE?”

I was able to take quotes from some students and teachers about their thoughts on the sensory room. A fellow student of ours at ACE is Rayza. “Really good idea because a lot of the people at ACE have mental illness, and sometimes if they’re overstimulated they can go to the sensory room. Sometimes students don’t want to talk to DJ and Diana. Some cons are that it can be abused by turning it into a smoke spot,” Rayza stated. Her statement shows how there can be both concerns and benefits when it comes to having a sensory room at ACE. Another student that I interviewed was Venus. “I think that it would be beneficial to the students at ACE,” Venus claimed.

Another student would be Carolina. “My mind is all over the place, sometimes I need to sit down and recollect myself.” This shows how beneficial it would be to have a sensory room at ACE.

Even teachers think it is beneficial to the school. Melissa says, “I think it would be helpful.” Anthony agrees, “ I think it’s a great idea.”

Sensory rooms are usually provided with physical fidgeting objects, art utensils, comfortable seating, lights, and visuals to calm the mind. Phones and bags will be collected before entry. Music would be provided through school headphones and chromebooks. By fundraising, we could make our own DIY sensory room that will still have the same value as a sensory room. It could be open to donations as well if a student would like to add something. The room would be in one of the empty rooms upstairs.

There seems to be an overwhelming consensus at ACE that a Sensory Space would be beneficial and is wanted.