7 Ways to Manage Noise as a Neurodivergent Teacher

SPD, or Sensory Processing Disorder, is one of the conditions that often accompanies ND diagnoses. It can accentuate certain stimuli for one person, while diminishing what another person perceives.

Some common causes are everyday items like scratchy shirt tags, strongly scented cleaning wipes, or loud noises. The complete list of possible triggers is quite long.

While the condition can affect one or more of the senses, this post will focus on hearing. For teachers with SPD, high decibel levels can contribute to higher workplace stress and less effective instruction. 

Here are some tips that can help ND teachers manage noise levels and the associated emotional distress.

1. Use ear plugs. There are many discreet styles to choose from. Loop makes many to choose from. (Pro tip: Keep extra pairs in all of your bags. Store them in places you usually have handy, like a lunch box, a desk organizer, a sealed container on your cart, or the front pocket of your work backpack or tote.)
2. Turn up the white noise machine. Softly crashing ocean waves or percussive rain drops can be calming for both you, as well as some of your more dysregulated and disruptive group members. Some also come with colors too which can help with grounding.
3. Add throw carpets to the floor. This is especially helpful if you have tiles, as they can absorb ringing. You can put a small rug under your desk, one by a reading corner, and a larger one in the front for gathering groups of students. (Protip: check local second-hand shops to save money. Just give 'em a thorough cleaning.)
4. Ask your maintenance staff to help hang sound panels. Check with your administrators first as this could involve worker health and protection rights. If so, they may need to consult district-level teams to do the installation.
5. Implement behavior management games. (This is definitely easier said than done. Please adapt it to fit your needs.) There is a points game where students earn rewards by quietly listening (specifically, not talking over the teacher or another student.) Use a built-in timer like the one in the ActivPanels and delegate responsibility to a responsible student to start, stop, and keep points. (Protip: turn off the sound to ease everyone’s nerves!) Every time the timer finishes (ex., after three to five minutes) and the teacher has more points than the class, the teacher gets a point; and vice versa. The class can earn a reward after 30 minutes, for example, or at the end of the day. There are also web-based apps that younger students enjoy, where students stay quiet to keep bubbles from bouncing too high. (Protip: free time is usually a top contender for most popular rewards. Plus if handled correctly, teachers can also sneak in some instructional content.)
6. Consider a new role. This is more drastic; but sometimes a new position, even within the same school, can make an enormous difference. Instead of being a specialist or homeroom teacher, for example, consider trying out an interventionist role. These positions often allow for smaller groups and therefore less noise. 
7. Play instrumental music in the background. This can work well for all ages during activities where students work quietly. Personally I love jazz for this, for example Miles Davis or Vince Guaraldi.

What else would you add to this list? Please write it in the comments!

For more tips on managing daily challenges as a neurodivergent teacher, read the Key Neurodivergent Teachers' Guide to Managing Daily Challenges round-up!

This blog offers educational content; not medical advice. Please, consult a healthcare professional for personal mental health concerns.