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The way a person views the world is colored by the effects of the light sources in their environment. Natural lighting, fluorescent lighting, lamp/desk lighting, and secondary glare offer different levels of visual stimulation and for some people, this can make a huge difference in their perceptions and mood.
There is a shopping mall that I avoid at all costs because it was designed with flashing neon store signs, endless overhead fluorescent lighting, and a loud echoing atrium with skylights that adds so much stimulation that I always end up a cranky shopper.
I’m certainly not the only consumer having this aversive reaction to the mall environment, and yet most people are unaware that the design of these living, working, and community spaces impact how we function (or not), feel, and interact.
Before we get into what kind of sensory lighting you could be looking to use, let's dive more into why sensory lighting is important.
Studies have shown that natural lighting has a positive impact on one’s mood, perceptions, health, and attitude.
Research has also supported that dynamic lighting design (lighting that changes with the students and tasks) supports learning!
Now consider your workplace or your child’s school classroom. How is their lighting designed? How is the classroom configured in relation to those light sources? Is the room you’re working or learning is designed to promote your availability for learning?
When we look at learning or working environments, there are many aspects of lighting design to consider:
As an assistive technology specialist, I often look to make simple environmental changes that may be the key to helping a person function better.
As an occupational therapist, my perspective on lighting comes from more of a sensory background. Both inform my views on environmental lighting and how to best promote participation, interaction, and success!
Chances are that when you went shopping for your living room lamp or kitchen table light fixture, you were more concerned with aesthetics than the visual effect of the actual light. Most people won’t think twice about the visual impact of the light unless you or someone you know experiences visual sensitivity, migraines, or a vision-related illness.
If you have a child with sensory processing dysfunction, light sensitivity is a common symptom that he may experience. Light sensitivity is something we talked about in our Managing Meltdowns article because it can contribute to sensory overload. Children with ADHD and autism are prone to sensory processing difficulties which may include light sensitivity.
People who have experienced a brain injury or concussion often report light sensitivities as well. Because the brain needs to process the visual information, and brain injury can impact the way visual information, light, and patterns are interpreted.
Symptoms of light sensitivity can include:
ADHD fluorescent lights can be particularly problematic in the classroom and work environments. The flickering and harsh quality of fluorescent lighting can increase distractibility and discomfort for children with ADHD. Many parents and teachers report that switching from fluorescent to full-spectrum or LED lighting makes a noticeable difference in focus and behavior.
When creating sensory-friendly lighting environments, different types of sensory room lights serve different purposes:
LED Lighting:Energy-efficient and adjustable, LED lights offer flexibility in brightness and color. They're ideal for creating customizable environments that can shift from calming to stimulating based on individual needs.
Fiber Optic Lighting:These provide a gentle, twinkling effect that's soothing without being overwhelming. Fiber optic strands can be touched and manipulated, making them perfect for tactile sensory experiences.
Color-Changing Mood Lighting:Adjustable lighting systems allow you to modify colors, brightness, and sequences to match the user's current sensory needs. This is particularly helpful for sensory lights for autism as it allows for personalized sensory experiences.
Full-Spectrum Bulbs:These bulbs mimic natural daylight and can reduce the harsh effects of traditional indoor lighting, making them excellent for everyday use in classrooms and homes.
Every brain is different, every environment is different, and everyone's response is also different. So when considering how to accommodate your sensory lighting needs, there are a few possibilities you’ll want to explore. Ultimately, how you decide to change your lighting is a matter of preference in what adjustments you find helpful.
How you light your environment is a matter of personal preference. Ideally, your environment should offer multiple light sources that will flexibly meet your needs as your tasks change. The light you use to read a book on the couch should be different than the light you use in your clothes closet, for example.
Often times, lighting can be apart of a bigger sensory diet that includes the use of other sensory input tools, like weighted blankets or weighted vests.
Lighting impacts learning, mood, and perception, so if there’s a chance that you can make some changes with subtle lighting accommodations, give it a try!
Let us know what dynamic lighting designs you’re using in your spaces!
Resources
Fielding, Randall. "Learning, Lighting and Color: Lighting Design for Schools and Universities in the 21st Century." DesignShare (NJ1). DesignShare. 4937 Morgan Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55409-2251. Tel: 612-929-6129; Tel: 612-929-3520; Web Site: Http://www.designshare.com, 30 Nov. 2005. Web. 01 Aug. 2017. <https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED497664>.
Howard, Jacqueline. "How Just The Right Lighting May Improve Learning In Classrooms."The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 15 Aug. 2016. Web. 01 Aug. 2017. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lighting-boost-learning-concentration_us_5720cb14e4b0b49df6a9b73e>.
"Lighting and Discomfort in the Classroom." Lighting and Discomfort in the Classroom - ScienceDirect. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Aug. 2017. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272494408001011>.
"Make Your Classroom Lighting Learner Friendly." Susan Fitzell. N.p., 26 Apr. 2017. Web. 01 Aug. 2017. <http://susanfitzell.com/make-classroom-lighting-learner-friendly/>.
"The Irlen® Institute." Irlen. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Aug. 2017. <http://irlen.com/>.
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west40texas
November 23, 2020
I have been trying to find information about people that can not see using an LED light, like a flashlight. I can not see the difference between a blade of grass, a nut or washer, a stick or rock when using a LED flashlight! Same goes for working on a car, everything in the LED light is the exact same color! Do have any information or have you heard of this from any other source? Thank you for your time