How to Design a Neurodiversity-Affirming Classroom on a Tight Budget

For many teachers, decorating the classroom is one of the most exciting parts of the school year. But it can also be the most expensive. In the latest episode of Social Cipher’s All Kinds of Minds podcast, we spoke with Amy Husk-Reed, an education specialist at the Virginia Department of Education’s Training and Technical Assistance Center at Old Dominion University. Amy shared practical, low-cost ways teachers can design classroom walls, sensory spaces, and libraries that affirm and support neurodivergent students.

Budget-friendly sensory spaces

Sensory spaces, often called calm-down corners or cool-down corners, are spaces where students can go to self-regulate when they feel overwhelmed or overstimulated. 

If your budget does not allow for things like bean bags and fidgets, get creative with what you already have or what others might be ready to give away. When Amy did not have the funding for cushioned mats, she reached out to local gym teachers and asked if they had a few gym mats to spare. 

Other low-cost ways to get items include:

• Finding gently used furniture at thrift stores
• Asking retired or transferring teachers for items they no longer need
• Providing concert earplugs instead of noise-cancelling headphones
• Making DIY fidgets (like the ones in this DIY stress ball lesson plan)
• Repurposing jars and plastic containers to make sensory bottles or calm jars
• Looking through local “Buy Nothing” groups on Facebook

Purposeful walls

A neurodivergent-friendly classroom does not have to have bare walls, but everything on the walls should serve a clear purpose. The cost of classroom posters and decorations can add up quickly, so before purchasing, Amy recommends asking yourself, “Is this relevant? Is this helpful?”

While some students enjoy colorful visuals, too much visual information can overwhelm students with sensory sensitivities or strong visual processing skills. The key is to have balance so that all students feel comfortable.

Here are some low-cost, visually inclusive ideas:

• Limit wall displays to current lessons, routines, and expectations
• Replace seasonal and themed decor with soft color backdrops, emotion charts, coping strategies posters, or other visual supports that can be used year-round
• Use dollar store bins and labels to reduce visual clutter
• Designate one main bulletin board and rotate its content instead of decorating every wall
• Print and laminate reusable posters or anchor charts to avoid rebuying posters every year

Simplifying wall space supports focus while saving money on decor that does not add instructional value.

Inclusive libraries

Building a classroom library full of diverse representation and formats can get costly quickly. Fortunately, Amy says there are plenty of ways to create an identity-affirming library without spending your own money. Aside from asking other teachers for their books, you can also:

• Browse local Facebook groups for free or discounted books
• Check the local library for free or low-cost book sales
• Use free digital platforms like Monarch Reader
• Collect magazine, maps, and even takeout menus from local businesses to diversify text formats
• Create a class “book” made up of student writings
• Ask families to donate books their children have outgrown
• Check to see if your district offers shared resources or surplus libraries

These are just a few of the ideas Amy shared in the “Creative, Budget-Friendly Classroom Ideas” episode of the All Kinds of Minds podcast. Check out the rest on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube!