Sensory Help Now

Starting university is an exciting but challenging time, and more so for students with sensory processing or sensory integration differences as they navigate the complexities of student life. Here are a few pointers for young adults with sensory processing differences who are preparing for university.

Support for Students with Sensory Processing Differences

All universities should have a function that assists students and looks at potential accommodations that the university can make to best support students with disabilities and additional needs, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, mental health conditions and sensory processing differences. In Britain, universities and colleges, as well as employers, have a duty to make all reasonable adjustments to support disabled students and employees under the Equality Act 2010.

Students with sensory processing differences may require specific accommodations to help them manage their condition effectively while at university.

It might be reassuring to contact the Student Disability Support Office prior to starting university to find out what support will be available to you in advance and to ask how best to inform lecturers and tutors about the accommodations or support that you’ll need. You might also be able to arrange a specific tour of the rooms and facilities that you’ll be using on a weekly basis to help familiarise yourself. Additionally, mental health support is available through university counselling services and GP surgeries.

For students looking to start university or college in the coming years, find out if your shortlisted institutions offer summer school programmes for students with additional needs – these will give you a taste of university life and help familiarise you with the campus. The Students’ Union often provides information and organises events for students with additional needs.

Autistic Students Starting University

The National Autistic Society (NAS) notes that (in England) a young person’s EHC plan will not be continued at university, and they recommend proactively contacting the university’s disability support service to discuss accommodations and support for autistic students. NAS also offers specific information on the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) here. NAS provides a transition support service to help young autistic people: find out more here.

Sometimes, it can be tricky knowing who to contact for help at a large institution. The team at Understood have put together this very helpful list (appropriate to US and UK universities) explaining which university office to contact to ask for help with specific problems, ranging from tutors not understanding your sensory-related needs, to emotional stresses and health issues.

Accommodation and Sensory Challenges

If you are going to be living away from home, carefully consider your accommodation needs and the kinds of sensory processing challenges that you could find overwhelming (for example, the smells of flatmates’ deodorant or cooking; the noise and visual stimuli of busy halls of residence). Would you be able to manage sharing living spaces and bathroom facilities?

Don’t be afraid to be thorough and ask lots of questions. Ask the university or landlord if single rooms are available, if quieter blocks are an option, if you can bring your own familiar furniture from home, etc. Even if there isn’t the option to bring furniture from home, you can take all your familiar bedding, cushions, sensory tools, favourite mugs, cutlery, etc - anything that helps you feel more comfortable.

Getting Around Campus

Universities make great effort to clearly signpost their campus and offer maps but it can still take a while to understand where everything is and how to best navigate from one building to another. Ensure you have a campus map and perhaps practise moving around the campus to understand the route and how long it will take you to get from one place to another. Understanding how your sensory system responds to different environments can help you navigate the campus more effectively.

Many campuses have ‘safe’ spaces where you can go if you feel anxious and need time out. The university’s Student Services or Disability Support Service will be able to tell you where these kinds of facilities are.

Routines

Familiarise yourself with what the new routine at university will entail. New routines mean getting used to a new space, which can be difficult for young adults with proprioceptive issues and other sensory systems challenges. Talking about worries and the new daily routine with friends, family or a student counsellor can help to reduce anxiety. Make sure you plan how to include your sensory strategy (or sensory diet) activities into your schedule. If you have an SI Practitioner, they will be happy to help you with this. Be confident that you know where you should be and when by synchronising the university timetable with your mobile’s calendar (ask for help if you don’t know how to do this).

Lectures and Seminars

It’s important to speak with your university’s Disability Support Service or Office about accommodations that can be made regarding lecture halls and seminar rooms. For example, you may be able to wear sunglasses, earplugs or headphones in class, sit near an exit or the rear, sit in the same place every time, use fidget toys, etc. These accommodations can help you respond appropriately to sensory inputs during lectures and seminars. You could ask a Disability Officer to help you explain to your lecturer or tutor that you may need to leave suddenly due to sensory overload and, in that case, would need to arrange to catch up on missed information without penalty.

The Disability Support Service or Office can also advise you on eligibility for extra support during exams and coursework and assistive technology, such as note-taking aids.

Many universities provide reading lists online or via email before courses begin, allowing students to get a head start on their workload and identify core texts to purchase.

Socialising and the Students' Union

Going to college or university presents many opportunities to meet new people and make new friends. Most institutions have lots of different clubs and organisations and this may be a good place to start meeting people with common interests in a more structured setting. Participating in freshers’ week activities is also an opportunity to meet new people and get involved in university life. Many institutions will offer events suitable for neurodiverse students, so check their website or contact the Student Union office to ask for details.

Alcohol and Parties

Alcohol and parties are part of the scene at universities, but they are only one part of the myriad of campus activities. Explore your options; if you do want to go to bars and parties but do not use alcohol, practice how to handle peer pressure and how to exit the situation safely. It’s becoming more common for Students' Unions to organise more alcohol-free events in recognition of the demand for these.

Cafeterias and Dining Halls

For young adults with food aversions or preferences, as well as difficulties in coping with bright, noisy, crowded spaces, the university cafeteria or dining hall can be overwhelming. The Student Support Service should be able to talk over all the dining options on campus and help you find out when these venues are the least busy. You could also keep a mini-fridge within your room to keep a stash of favourite foods handy.

Remember... You Are Not Alone

It’s important to realise that you’re not alone in dealing with sensory processing differences as a young adult. There are many bloggers and vloggers sharing their experiences of being a student with sensory challenges and/or diagnoses of autism or ADHD, for example, this video by Daniel Jones where he discusses his worries about starting university with a diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome.

If you feel comfortable sharing your sensory differences with your flatmates or friends, you could discuss your sensory issues and triggers and come up with solutions for handling situations together.

A Note to Parents

If you would like specific questions answered about your older child about to start college or university, you can put them to our sensory integration trained therapists via the Sensory Help Now Forum.

Also, see our case study A Day in the Life of a University Student with Sensory Processing and Integration Difficulties.