Creating Calmer Classrooms: How Acoustic Design Supports Autistic Learners
April marks World Autism Acceptance Month 2025, a global initiative to promote understanding, inclusivity, and celebration of people on the autism spectrum. For educators and school leaders, it's a time to reflect on how the environments we create for learning impact those with additional needs—especially when it comes to sensory sensitivity.
One crucial, yet often overlooked factor is the acoustic environment. The way a space sounds can dramatically affect how pupils engage, particularly those with autism or other Special Educational Needs (SEN).
At Presentation Spaces, we specialise in creating entirely bespoke acoustic environments tailored to the needs of each educational setting. Our solutions help schools meet BB93 regulations—and go beyond—by building inclusive, calm, and productive spaces for all learners.
Why Acoustics Matter for Autistic Learners
Autistic students often experience heightened sensitivity to sound. A noisy, echoing classroom can be overwhelming, leading to anxiety, reduced concentration, and even challenging behaviours. According to the National Autistic Society, over 1 in 100 people in the UK are autistic. That’s a significant number of pupils potentially affected by acoustics in education settings.
And it’s not just autistic students—children with ADHD, speech and language delays, or hearing impairments also struggle in poor sound environments. Likewise, staff often report increased stress, difficulty managing classrooms, and vocal fatigue when acoustics are subpar.
What BB93 Says About Classroom Acoustics
BB93 outlines clear requirements for sound performance in schools. It covers:
- Maximum background noise levels in teaching spaces
- Control of reverberation (echo)
- Sound insulation between rooms and corridors
- Speech intelligibility in open-plan and SEN environments
Our acoustic solutions are designed to exceed these standards and create real-world environments that support calm, focused learning for every child.
Our Acoustic Solutions for Education
We offer a full range of acoustic products that can be quickly and effectively deployed to transform learning spaces. Here are some of the most popular options:
- Zen Acoustic Pin Boards – Soft, sound-absorbing wall panels that double as vibrant display boards. Ideal for reducing echo in classrooms.
- Zen Pearl Adhesive Acoustic Panels – Stylish, easy-to-fit panels that help calm harsh, reverberant spaces.
- Zen Liner Wall Panels – Effective sound control between adjoining classrooms or busy hallways.
- Zen Raft Ceiling Panels – Suspended sound absorbers that reduce noise build-up in open spaces or halls.
- Zen Gympact Panels – Durable acoustic panels for sports halls and multi-use spaces, designed to withstand physical impacts.
Benefits You’ll Notice
When acoustic solutions are thoughtfully applied, schools experience:
- Less pupil agitation and sensory overload
- Better behaviour and sustained engagement
- Clearer communication for all learners
- Reduced teacher stress and vocal fatigue
These improvements aren’t just for compliance — they make real, everyday differences to staff and student wellbeing.
Quick to Install, Built to Last
Many issues can be addressed with quick-install solutions that make an immediate impact. All our Zen Acoustic products are available in a variety of sizes, colours, and finishes—and we also offer fully bespoke options for unique spaces or design visions.
Whether you're planning a new build or upgrading existing facilities, we’ll work with you to create an acoustic plan that works for your staff, your students, and your budget.
Let’s Build Better Learning Spaces—Together
This World Autism Acceptance Month, let’s commit to creating classrooms that don’t just look inclusive — they sound inclusive too. Small changes in acoustic design can make a big difference to how pupils feel, behave, and learn.
Explore our full range of acoustic solutions for schools here or get in touch to talk about a bespoke project.
Together, we can make classrooms calmer, learning more accessible, and ensure every voice is heard.
