How to Teach a College Student with Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition that can amplify or dull a person's senses. It's more common in children, but can continue to adulthood, especially in people with disabilities like autism and ADHD. A student with SPD may need a little extra support so that they can focus and be comfortable in class.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Understanding SPD

1
Recognize that SPD is a condition, not a choice. Having SPD can be uncomfortable, and the student has no way to "turn it off." It's important to be patient and understanding with them.
- The student may feel bad about having SPD. You can help by reassuring them that they aren't a burden, and that you're okay with accommodating them.
- There's no way to "cure" their SPD. Some people grow out of it, and some don't. Exposing them to uncomfortable or painful things won't help them get used to it—it'll only upset them.
- If they're acting upset or in pain, it's probably because they are.
2
Expect your student to have a mix of over-sensitive and under-sensitive senses. Most students aren't purely over-sensitive or under-sensitive. Which senses are affected, how they're affected, and how severe the effect is varies from person to person.
- For example, one person might have eyes that are too sensitive and ears that aren't sensitive enough.
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3
Recognize that most people with SPD won't need all of the accommodations listed in this article. This article includes ideas for accommodating more severe SPD, so not every bullet point will apply to each person. Talk to your student to figure out what would help them.
- Many of these tips (like writing things down) are good practice for teaching in general, and can help students without SPD too.
4
Know that by college, most people with SPD are pretty good at managing it. While you might be completely new to the idea of SPD, they have been living with it for around 2 decades.
- If the student doesn't seem to know how to manage it, strongly encourage them to read up on SPD. Research can help them get ideas for coping mechanisms, and help them understand themselves better.
- Stress can worsen SPD. This means that first-year students may have their SPD severity increase, as they work on adjusting to a new environment. If they mention this happening to them, let them know that it's normal, and assure them that you'll help them work things out.
5
Recognize that people with SPD may have co-occurring conditions. While SPD can occur by itself, it's common for it to come with a developmental disability, mental health issue, or other condition.
- Autism
- ADHD
- OCD
- Dyslexia
- Dyspraxia (clumsiness, poor motor skills)
- Dysgraphia (bad handwriting)
- Auditory Processing Disorder (trouble understanding what they hear)
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Being Helpful in General

1
Ask the student about their sensitivities and needs. Every person with SPD is different, so what they need will vary from person to person.
- Keep in mind that some students are more sensitive than others.
- The student may prefer sitting in a certain seat (like way up front, or in a corner) to reduce distractions.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceChild Mind InstituteNonprofit organization providing evidence-based care for children with mental health and learning disorders and their familiesGo to source} Make sure they can choose their seat, and keep it all semester if they want.
2
Make plans for how they can leave if they get too upset. If they get too overwhelmed, they may "shut down" or "melt down." This may even involve crying or self-injury, which isn't good for them and is disruptive to class. The best way to handle this is to let them leave as soon as they feel too overwhelmed, so they can calm down and avoid an incident.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceChild Mind InstituteNonprofit organization providing evidence-based care for children with mental health and learning disorders and their familiesGo to source}
- You can tell them to give you a signal when they need to leave, or you can tell them that they don't have to ask permission and can just go.
- If the student is clearly too stressed, but hasn't left class, gently remind them that they can take a quick break. Even just getting a drink from the fountain, or going to the restroom, can give them time to calm down.
3
Plan to ignore fidgeting and other odd-but-harmless behavior. A student with SPD may need to wiggle or fidget, to help them manage sensory input. As long as they aren't disrupting the class, this is fine. Assume that they're listening, even if they aren't making eye contact, and act like nothing is different.
- If they're being disruptive, quietly let them know. This way, they can switch to a quieter way to fidget (like playing with a beanbag instead of tapping their fingers on the desk).
4
Check if they're registered with the school disability center. The disability can help them get any needed accommodations, like a separate location for taking exams. If they haven't signed up for disability services, encourage them to do so.
5
Try offering a little encouragement or positive feedback. Some students with SPD may feel nervous or self-conscious about their condition. A helpful and kind attitude can help put them at ease.
- Reassure them that their needs are not a big deal, and you're happy to accommodate them.
- Encourage them to come to you if they think of anything else they might need.
- Try thanking them for coming to you, or complimenting their assertiveness.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Helping with Hypersensitivity

1
Recognize and allow some common coping mechanisms. The person may dress or act a little unusually sometimes, to help them cope with their sensitivity. Assume that these differences are helping them cope, and let them do what they need to do. Here are some things you might see your student bring into class:^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceChild Mind InstituteNonprofit organization providing evidence-based care for children with mental health and learning disorders and their familiesGo to source}
- Tinted sunglasses to reduce bright light
- Headphones or earplugs to reduce noise
- Fidget toys to help with focus
2
Reduce glaring lights and clutter for a student with visual sensitivities. Bright lights can be too much for a sensitive student. Here are some strategies:
- Avoid buzzing and flickering fluorescent lights, if possible.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceChild Mind InstituteNonprofit organization providing evidence-based care for children with mental health and learning disorders and their familiesGo to source}
- If you're showing a movie or video clip, only turn off some of the lights, so the screen doesn't seem too bright. If you know that the video involves strobing or flashing lights, give a heads-up so the student can prepare or look away as needed.
- Reduce visual clutter on power points. Keep your slides clear and succinct, so they aren't overwhelming.
3
Keep noise to a minimum, and give warnings before making loud noise. Loud noises may startle and upset your student. Try to reduce extra noise when you can. If you have to do something loud, give a warning first, so the student can brace themselves.
- Warn the class before rolling down the projector, so the student can cover their ears if desired.
- Check the volume before playing audio, to ensure it doesn't blast loudly.
- Ask the class to quiet down if they get too loud during work time.
- Be understanding if the student needs to step out of class for a minute or two to calm down and refocus after a loud noise.
4
Be kind to a student who has a hypersensitive sense of touch. Hypersensitivity to touch usually doesn't cause issues in classrooms, but it's possible you'll see something. Be understanding and patient with a student who gets uncomfortable easily.
- Don't touch the student without their permission. If you're going to touch them, let them see it coming, so they don't get startled and can say "no" if they're feeling overwhelmed right now.
- Be understanding about injuries. Hypersensitivity to touch tends to include hypersensitivity to pain, so even if it doesn't look bad, it may feel awful to the student.^{[5]XResearch source}
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Helping with Reduced Sensitivity

1
Recognize that reading can be a challenge for students with under-sensitive eyes. Even if the student is very bright, they may read slowly, and seem similar to students with dyslexia.^{[6]XResearch source} They may prefer to type their notes so that they can have a color filter on their screen.
- Make typed-up notes (e.g. power points) available to download. That way, the student can get the computer to read the notes out loud to them if needed.
- Consider giving them permission to record audio of the lecture.
- Keep in mind that copying from the board may be a challenge for the student. Make sure that any important info is available on the class website.
- Consider letting them sit in a seat that's easy to reach, because they may have a tendency to bump into things.
2
Write things down for a student whose ears aren't sensitive enough. The student may seem to not hear you sometimes, no matter how hard they may try.^{[7]XResearch source} Write all important instructions and reminders on the board, and make sure that students can download any class notes in case they didn't hear everything.
- The student may be noisy, or talk to themselves, especially during work time.^{[8]XResearch source} If it's bothering other students, gently let them know. Suggest that they put on headphones and play some quiet music.
3
Let a wiggly student fidget in class. Some students get restless easily, and might need an outlet for their extra energy. Here are some things they might benefit from doing:^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceUnderstoodNonprofit organization dedicated to resources and support to people with thinking differences, such as ADHD or dyslexiaGo to source}
- Playing with fidget toys
- Bringing a special seat cushion or lap pad for sitting
- Chewing gum, or eating quietly
4
Gently explain to them if their behavior is distracting. Under-sensitive students may not be aware of how their behavior is impacting the other students, so they may accidentally be disruptive. Quietly let them know that they're distracting people, and try suggesting a less noticeable activity if applicable. Keep it polite and quick, to minimize embarrassment. Here are some examples of ways to ask:
- "Hey, your humming to yourself may make it hard for other students to focus. It's work time, so why don't you plug in your headphones and play some quiet music on your laptop?"
- "Your tapping foot is shaking the table. Maybe you could use your fidget spinner?"
- "Your voice is getting a little loud. Quiet down, please."
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Tips

You may notice a lot of quirks in your student, from having trouble with their body temperature to needing to eat in class because their appetite is "passive-aggressive."^{[10]XResearch source} Be willing to make reasonable allowances for them, so that they can stay focused and do their best in class.
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