12 Ways to Create A Sensory Garden For Autism

A sensory garden is a therapeutic space designed to engage the senses and provide a calming, interactive, and enriching environment benefiting people so they can relax and focus. For individuals with autism, sensory gardens can offer a sanctuary that stimulates the senses in a controlled, soothing way. Whether you’re creating a garden from scratch or enhancing an existing space, here are ten ways to build a sensory garden that can benefit both children and adults with autism.

Understanding Sensory Needs

Before designing your garden, it’s crucial to understand the specific sensory needs of the individual. Some people with autism may be hypersensitive to certain stimuli, while others may seek out sensory input. Consider their preferences for sights, sounds, smells, textures, and tastes.

Some senses are vestibular where the body detects the position of the head and the movement of the head in relation to the surroundings. This is important for those that enjoy a sense of being off balance. Many factors can be included to help develop a sensory garden for people that have autism.

Things To Consider When Creating A Sensory Garden

1. Incorporate a Variety of Textures

Use plants and materials with different textures to engage the sense of touch. Soft grasses, rough tree bark, smooth stones, and velvety flowers can all add a tactile element to the garden. Including a variety of textures encourages exploration and provides a hands-on experience.

Here are a few ideas that can be incorporated in the garden to help increase the sense of touch:

• Mosses- A great way to include soft textures
• Rubber Tiles or Rubber Mulch
• Smooth Stones
• Tree Stumps
• Mulch
• Benches made from different materials, such as, stone or wood
• Bamboo
• Lamb’s Ear and Dusty Miller have very soft leaves. The leaves are also not the traditional green foliage giving them added value in the garden.
• Succulents have an array of choices that would work in any sensory garden

In addition to texture, there are many plants that have some really cool leaf shapes. This may be another way to attract visitors to your sensory garden. Redbuds have heart shaped leaves. Salvias have square stems. Elephant Ear plants have leaves that are the shapes of elephants ears.

2. Use Colors

Some individuals love cool, calming colors like blues, purples, and greens. These colors can create a peaceful environment that reduces stress and anxiety.

And some individuals love bright or contrasting colors. Using plants like sunflowers or rudbeckias will help bring those bright colors into the garden.

However, there are certain circumstances people with autism can become obsessed or have color phobias. If creating gardens for particular individuals with autism keep in mind they may have certain colors they really like or dislike.

Plants that have berries or flowers not only bring color into the garden but they also have the added benefit of bringing birds and butterflies into the garden.

3. Add Fragrant Plants

Smell is a powerful sense, and including fragrant plants like lavender, rosemary, and mint can be both soothing and stimulating. Be mindful to choose scents that are pleasant and not too strong to avoid overwhelming the senses.

Plants that are fragrant:

• Lavendar
• Roses
• Chocolate Daisy
• Mock Orange
• Butterfly Bush
• Dianthus
• Buddleia- Butterfly Bush
• Agastache
• Monarda- Bee Balm/Horsemint
• Herbs of various kinds

4. Incorporate Water Features

The sound of running water can be incredibly calming. Adding a small fountain, waterfall, or pond can introduce soothing sounds and provide a visual focal point. Water features also invite interaction, whether it’s watching fish swim or dipping your hands in the cool water.

Water features don’t have to be large water fountains. A water feature could be as simple as a bird bath that visitors can enjoy watching the birds get a drink or take a quick bath.

Even water misters or drippers for a bird bath will bring a soothing sound to any water feature.

Having a space for ASD individuals to splash in is an added bonus for any garden. People with autism are highly attracted to water. If the garden space is being created for a child with autism look for water features that they can splash in without it being deep enough for them to jump in.

One fun way to enjoy water is by creating a tunnel with water misters spraying for people to walk through. This is an enjoyable addition to any garden.

5. Create Safe and Accessible Pathways

Ensure the garden is easy to navigate with smooth, wide paths that accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, or other walking aids.

Use materials like decomposed granite or smooth pavers to create non-slip, even surfaces that are safe for everyone.

6. Design Quiet Zones

Include quiet, secluded areas where individuals can retreat if they need a break from sensory input. These zones can be created with tall plants, trellises, or small structures like gazebos or pergolas, providing a sense of privacy and calm. Vines can be planted on these structures to block out some sound and ensure the area is secluded.

Having locations in a garden that is enclosed and more of a secluded quiet area helps create a space for those in need of a region that is soothing.

Even tall grasses can provide an enclosed area while still giving off a quiet peaceful environment. Tall grasses will blow in the wind creating a form of white noise that is relaxing and enjoyable.

7. Incorporate Interactive Elements

Adding elements like wind chimes, spinners, family sized swings or even musical instruments can make the sensory garden for autism more engaging. Interactive features encourage movement and exploration, providing sensory input in a fun and controlled way.

Many individuals that have ASD like tactile objects. These individuals love the sensory of touch. There are multiple items that could be used to give that element in the garden.

One of the students at my school loves shiny objects. We happened to find this out by accident when a teacher was having a birthday and one of those shiny streamer curtains was hung from the ceiling to help celebrate her birthday. This quickly became that students favorite place to be around because he loved the shiny metallic look and the softness of the streamers.

There are a large number of people with autism that love the sense of being off balance. You could easily incorporate items like spinning discs, tire swings, linear gliders, balance beams, rocking boards, and swivel chairs. There are many types of items that can be used to have interactive elements in the garden.

8. Use Natural Materials

When building structures or pathways, use natural materials like wood, stone, and bamboo. These materials blend seamlessly with the garden environment and are typically more soothing to the senses than synthetic alternatives.

Bamboo and deep tone wind chimes create a soothing bell sound that some may like.

9. Encourage Wildlife

Attracting wildlife such as birds, butterflies, and bees can add an element of surprise and delight. Plant native flowers and shrubs that provide food and shelter for local wildlife, and consider adding bird feeders or butterfly houses.

As mentioned earlier, plants that have berries or flowers will also encourage birds, hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, and bees into the garden.

Little frog and toad houses help these types of wildlife to join your part of the world.

Having a bat house will not only invite bats into the area but they will help keep the mosquito population in control.

10. Focus on Safety

Safety should be a top priority. Avoid plants with thorns, prickles, or toxic properties. There are many plants available to purchase that are attractive to our eyes but may also be poisonous to people and animals. Be aware of what you are adding to the garden.

Ensure water features are safe and that the garden structures are stable and secure.

Clear signage can also help guide users through the garden safely. It is a great idea to put sign that help visual learners know where to go next. We can take for granted the ease of moving through the garden without thinking of where to go next but there are some that may need that extra guidance.

11. Adjustable Features for Individuals

Sensory garden for autism need to be focused on individuals. Including seating or playground equipment that can be adjusted to fit the needs of each child or adult helps create inclusion. Adjustable settings also help individuals feel more secure in their environment.

Creating raised beds so people can stand and get their hands in the soil is a great way to include a sense of touch. Gardeners know how therapeutic working in the soil can be. This statement holds true for those that have autism. Raised beds can also be designed so individuals in wheelchairs can put their legs under the raised beds.

12. Repetition of Geometrical Shapes

Using a geometrical pattern helps individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder focus longer on objects around them. This type of feature in an outdoor environment encourages them to spend a longer amount of time looking at those patterns.

Using these patterns in multiple locations will also help them move through an area since they will begin to familiarize themselves with the repetitive pattern.

Some individuals can become fixed on certain patterns and shapes which can be brought outdoors helping them to spend more time in nature.

Conclusion

Creating a sensory garden tailored to the needs of individuals with autism is a rewarding project that can provide immense benefits. By focusing on engaging the senses in a calming, controlled environment, you can create a space that is not only beautiful but also therapeutic. Whether you’re designing a garden for a school, community center, or your backyard, these tips will help you build a sensory garden that supports well-beings and encourages exploration.

Incorporating these elements into your garden will not only enhance its sensory appeal but also make it a safe and welcoming space for everyone. Happy gardening!

If you are looking for more information about Autism Spectrum Disorder- The Turning Point has a wonderful website with many resources including a family resources section.