🎙️ Are We Getting Sensory Rooms Wrong?

We talk a lot about inclusion in education…but what if some of the very spaces designed to support neurodivergent students aren’t always meeting their needs?

n this episode of RECAP The Podcast, I’m joined by Kylie Melville - PhD researcher and former SEND educator - to explore multi-sensory environments in schools, sensory safety, and why lived experience must be at the heart of inclusive practice.

Together, we unpack what sensory environments actually are, why they matter, and the challenges schools face when trying to create spaces that genuinely support neurodivergent students.

💡 In this episode, we discuss:

What multi-sensory environments really are (and why they’re more than just “sensory rooms”)

Why sensory safety is essential for learning

The challenges schools face when designing and using sensory spaces

Why “one-size-fits-all” sensory rooms don’t work

The importance of student voice and lived experience in research and practice

How some sensory spaces risk becoming tokenistic or even harmful

Supporting neurodivergent students in ways that are meaningful and individualised

Why schools need more evidence-informed guidance around sensory inclusion

❤️ Why this matters

No child can fully engage in learning if they don’t first feel safe.

As awareness of neurodiversity grows, more schools are introducing sensory spaces - but without clear guidance, training, or meaningful student input, these environments risk missing the mark.

This conversation offers an honest and thoughtful look at what genuine sensory inclusion can look like and why listening to neurodivergent voices is essential if we want schools to become places where every child can thrive.

🎧 Listen now: available on:

Spotify

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All major platforms

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🔗 Connect & follow

Follow RECAP for evidence-informed, accessible content for families and professionals:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recap.ltd/

Website: https://www.recapinfo.co.uk/

Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/recapinfo/newsletter-landing-page?fbclid=IwY2xjawRLKjpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFnVjc0UXhqZ3k3ZW93ZHFLc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnySw4NxuZ6Zx557mjJ-crfiCKhoLmykbWyxcAlwJGGJnklGT2BA0yXpefWk_aem_NGv834rxesL31J-gzSY8XQ

Follow & Connect with Kyleigh: https://edwebprofiles.ed.ac.uk/profile/kyleigh-melvillehttps://multisensoryenvironmentsneurodiversity.wordpress.com/

💬 Join the conversation

Do you think schools are doing enough to support sensory needs?

👉 What does meaningful inclusion look like to you?

👉 Have you seen sensory spaces used well in schools?

Share your thoughts in the comments — we’d love to hear from you.

🔍 Keywords:

sensory rooms in schools, neurodiversity in education, SEND education, sensory inclusion, neurodivergent students, autism and sensory needs, inclusive classrooms, sensory safety, sensory environments, education podcast UK, parenting podcast UK, SEND support, evidence informed education

🔖 Hashtags:

#SensoryRooms #Neurodiversity #SENDSupport #InclusiveEducation #SensoryInclusion #AutismEducation #EducationPodcast #ParentingPodcast #Neurodivergent #recapthepodcast

Series 6 Ep 4