# How do I do a sensory audit of a classroom?

> What to check for sound, light, smell, touch and movement, how to involve pupils, and quick, low-cost fixes.

URL: https://theautismkit.com/guides/classroom-sensory-audit
By The Autism Kit team · Updated 2026-09-27

**Short answer:** A sensory audit is a structured look at a classroom through the senses: sound, light, smell, touch, movement and visual busyness. Walk the room at different times of day, ask autistic pupils what's hard, note the triggers, then make small changes, like quieter chair feet, less display clutter, a calm corner and seating choices. Review after a few weeks.

**Key takeaways**
- Check **sound, light, smell, touch, movement** and **visual busyness**.
- Walk the room at **different times of day**.
- **Ask pupils** what's hard.
- Make **small, low-cost changes**, then **review**.

## Why do a sensory audit?

Differences in how people respond to sensory input are part of autism.[2] A room that feels fine to most people can be overwhelming for some pupils, making it harder to learn. Many schools use resources from the Autism Education Trust to review their environment.[1]

## What should I check?

| Sense | Look for | Quick fixes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sound | Chair scraping, hand dryers, corridor noise, humming lights | Chair feet, a rug, closing doors, headphones |
| Light | Flickering or bright lights, glare on boards | Turn off a bank of lights, blinds, seating away from glare |
| Visual | Busy displays, clutter | Plain backgrounds near the board, fewer displays |
| Smell | Canteen smells, strong cleaning products | Ventilation, seating choices |
| Touch | Crowded carpet time, scratchy materials | Personal spots, a cushion, space around desks |
| Movement | Crowded walkways, long sitting | Clear routes, movement breaks |

## How do I involve pupils?

- Ask what feels too loud, bright or crowded
- Use pictures or a scale for pupils who prefer not to talk
- Ask where they feel calmest in school

**Give pupils a way to ask.** Sensory break cards let pupils ask for a break before a room becomes overwhelming.

## What should I avoid?

**Try:**
- Small changes first, then reviewing
- Offering choices of where to sit
- A calm corner everyone can use

**Skip:**
- Changing everything at once
- Assuming what bothers one pupil bothers all

Free printable: [Free printable: sensory break cards](https://theautismkit.com/printables/sensory-break-cards.pdf)

## What can I do this week?

- [ ] Walk your room at two different times of day
- [ ] Ask two pupils what's hard
- [ ] Make one low-cost change and review in a fortnight

## Common questions

### How long does a sensory audit take?

A basic walk-through takes 20 to 30 minutes. Repeat it at a busy time, like after lunch, to see how the room changes.

### Do changes cost a lot?

Most don't. Moving a desk, reducing wall displays, closing a door or adding a rug can make a big difference.

### Should pupils be involved?

Yes. Autistic pupils are often the best guides to what's hard in a room. Ask them in a way that suits them: talking, drawing or pointing to pictures.

## Sources

1. Autism Education Trust. https://www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk/
2. American Psychiatric Association: What is autism spectrum disorder? (sensory differences). https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/autism/what-is-autism-spectrum-disorder

General guidance, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Talk with your pediatrician or a developmental specialist about your child's care.