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If you have ever found yourself saying 'no' more than you'd like, or wondering how to support your child's sensory and movement needs at home without turning your space upside down, this episode is for you. Today we're looking at the actual environment our kids live and learn in—and why the way you arrange your home matters just as much as the curriculum you choose. In homeschooling, the flexibility to adapt your physical space is both a unique opportunity and a challenge. It's not just about adding more equipment or activities; it's about noticing how your space either helps your child's body and brain work together—or puts them in constant conflict.

We get practical about how to set up your home to lower friction, say yes more often, and support everyone's needs—including your own—without sacrificing function or aesthetics. We'll reframe what "sensory-friendly" really means, and why small adjustments can change daily life for the whole family.

In this episode you'll hear about:

Sensational Spaces: Mission and Uniqueness
Sensational Spaces supports families across 20 states, in partnership with organizations like Make-A-Wish.
Unique approach: Working with donation-based funding, grants, waivers, and prioritizing affordability.
Comparison to other solutions: How Sensational Spaces' approach differs from traditional home modification services or insurance-based OT interventions.
Basics of Proprioception and Environmental Assessment
Intake and assessment process before modifying a space.
Key indicators when evaluating if a home environment supports or inhibits sensory needs.
Practical Steps for Creating Sensory-Friendly Spaces
What it looks like to modify a home for sensory support.
Focus on reducing friction between caregiver and child.
Importance of "yes spaces" versus spaces full of restrictions.
Environmental guidelines: predictable flow, reduced visual noise, cozy corners, and purposeful movement opportunities.
Family Balance and Sibling/Parent Needs
Real-life examples: managing differences between siblings' sensory needs.
Strategies for shared spaces, including creative solutions like physical dividers.
Highlighting the importance of considering the entire family unit, not just the sensory-seeking child.
Balancing structure and freedom to build advocacy and compassion.
How to incorporate movement and regulation opportunities into daily routines (before dinner, morning activities, etc.).
Use of visuals like calendars, charts, and checklists for routine-building.
Adapting Strategies as Kids Grow
Acknowledgement that children's sensory needs and routines evolve over time.
Emphasis on adaptability and noticing changing needs as kids age.
Supporting Teens and Adults with Sensory Needs
Approaches for tweens, teens, and adults—how proprioceptive strategies shift.
Use of oral motor tools (e.g., water bottles with chew valves) as covert proprioceptive strategies.
Age-appropriate tools: weighted blankets, backpacks, and subtle sensory supports.
Importance of normalizing and embedding sensory needs within ordinary routines.
Cost-Effective Solutions and Resources
Emphasis on not always having to buy sensory-labeled expensive products.
Creative, low-cost ideas using household items (couch cushions, DIY crash pads, straws, laundry baskets).
Cautions and tips for buying equipment: reliability, product vetting, and using trusted resources.

Links and Resources From Today's Show

Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, Lovevery. You can check out their products and resources here.

Connect With Our Guest, Alexi Christensen

At SENSE-ational Spaces, LLC we utilize our occupational therapy lens to support individuals with disabilities, their families, and the community through education and creation of sensory-friendly spaces. SENSE-ational Spaces is founded and operated by Alexi Christensen, MA, OTR/L (CEO) and Marlee Olson, MA, OTR/L (CFO). They are registered and licensed occupational therapists in the states of MN, WI, and PA! SENSE-ational Spaces brings education and sensory integration to the most natural environment- homes, schools, and your local community. For our space development service, we have three offerings which range from verbal consultation to full implementation where the client does not have to lift a finger! Additionally, we conduct AOTA approved live and on-demand continuing education on trauma, sensory processing, and environmental modification for practitioners, caregivers, and organizations. We sell tangible educational and research-driven PDF documents direct-to-consumer and have an online equipment ordering page that provides the most durable and therapeutic equipment on the market directly to our clients from our trusted manufacturers.

We are creating spaces and providing education within our communities where individuals of all abilities can actively participate, because we know that in the right environment, we all thrive!