Inspiration
As an educator working with students with autism and different sensory needs, I have seen how important it is for children to have a safe space where they can regulate, create, move, and explore without feeling overwhelmed. SensorI was inspired by the idea of creating that same type of supportive environment online.
We wanted to make screen time feel more purposeful by creating a sensory-friendly digital space where children can engage in simple activities while parents also have access to helpful resources.
What it does
SensorI is a safe, sensory-friendly space on the internet designed for children and their families.
The app brings several experiences together in one place:
đ¨ Paint: A creative space where children can draw, experiment with colors, and express themselves. đ Sound Board: An interactive activity that allows users to explore different sounds through simple controls. đšī¸ Jump Game: A fun movement-inspired game that gives children an engaging activity with an easy-to-understand goal. đ Parent Resources: A dedicated area where parents and caregivers can find information and resources to better understand and support their child.
Our goal is to make SensorI simple, welcoming, predictable, and fun rather than overwhelming.
How we built it
We built SensorI around one main question: How can we make a digital experience feel comfortable and approachable for children with different sensory needs?
We designed the app so that each activity serves a different purpose. Paint focuses on creativity and visual expression, the Sound Board provides auditory interaction, and the Jump Game introduces play and movement. We also included a parent resource section because supporting a child goes beyond what happens on the screen.
Throughout development, we focused on simple navigation, clear interactions, and creating an experience that families can easily understand and use.
Challenges we ran into
One of our biggest challenges was balancing fun, stimulation, and simplicity. We wanted SensorI to be engaging without making the experience unnecessarily complicated or overwhelming.
We also had to think carefully about how different users may respond differently to colors, sounds, movement, and interaction. Something enjoyable for one child may be distracting or uncomfortable for another.
Another challenge was bringing several different experiences, including painting, audio, gaming, and informational resources, together while still making SensorI feel like one connected platform.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We are especially proud that SensorI became more than just an idea for a game.
We created a platform that combines creativity, sound, play, and family resources within one sensory-focused experience. Each part of SensorI has a purpose, but they all work toward the same goal: giving children choices in how they interact with their digital environment.
Most importantly, we are proud that SensorI was created with empathy. Instead of asking children to adapt to a complicated digital environment, we started thinking about how the digital environment could better adapt to them.
What we learned
Building SensorI taught us that accessibility is not simply an extra feature that can be added at the end of development. It needs to be considered from the beginning.
We also learned the importance of simplicity. More features do not necessarily create a better experience. Clear choices, predictable interactions, and giving users control can be incredibly valuable, especially when designing for children with different sensory preferences.
This project also helped us see the potential technology has when developers combine technical skills with real-world experiences and empathy.
What's next for SensorI
This is only the beginning for SensorI.
In future versions, we would like to expand the platform with:
đī¸ More personalization, including options to adjust colors, sounds, volume, and sensory intensity. đŽ Additional sensory-friendly games and activities designed around different interests and needs. đŦī¸ Calming activities, such as guided breathing, visual timers, and break activities. đŖī¸ Communication supports, including visual choices and customizable communication tools. đ¨âđŠâđ§ Expanded parent and caregiver resources with practical strategies and educational information. đŠâđĢ Educator resources that could help SensorI become useful in classrooms and other learning environments. âŋ Stronger accessibility features, with continued attention to predictable navigation, reduced sensory overload, and user-controlled experiences.
Our long-term vision is for SensorI to become a trusted digital safe space where children can create, play, explore, and regulate in the way that works best for them.
