Neurodivergent adults face sensory barriers in health care, but simple modifications can make environments feel safe and welcoming, to foster trust and comfort.
Barriers go beyond physical environments. They include limited adaptive services, staff training, cumbersome wayfinding, and documentation that has redundant steps. While, providing access to sensory-friendly tools from places like KultureCity and scheduling sensory-friendly hours is a start, they are not fully inclusive.
Scheduled times maintain constraints that make neurodivergent people attend at specific times to avoid overstimulation. Additionally, toolkits are aimed at children, and ask them to conform. Health care practices become inclusive when they are designed and operated with neurodivergent brains in mind.
Lifemoves Human Performance’ s owner, Alfred Ball, a Kinesiologist with ADHD, thought about and continues to incorporate many details into the environment and processes to help people feel safe and cared for. Human brains have diverse needs, and our nervous systems need to feel safe. Health care spaces need to be designed to be universal, for practitioners and patients.
While neurodivergent care can seem complex and costly to implement, there are some easy, inexpensive and noticeable changes that benefit everyone.
Neuroinclusive Design at Lifemoves
Lighting: We installed LED light fixtures and replaced switches that have 80 dB audible“ clicks” with dimmable touch-sensitive models. We also have multiple windows for natural light.
Acoustics and Soundproofing: Our goal is to continually improve the acoustics in our movement studio, strength training area, and two treatment rooms to maintain privacy and support auditory processing.
How to Make Health Care Feel Safe for Adults with ADHD and Autism
Visual Elements: We use colours found in nature and wood to stimulate the eyes while keeping the nervous system, feeling grounded.
Air Quality: We use track the air quality, including temperature and humidity. Air filters clean the air to keep it smelling fresh.
Wayfinding and Documentation: Clear signs guide your way. We keep our documentation straightforward, including home exercise programs with clear instructions.
Lifemoves is nestled next to a forest, which is part of the Trans-Canada Trail, on the East and North sides. There are also two decks for clients to get some fresh air.
Written by Alfred Ball, a Kinesiologist with lived experiences.
©
Copyright December 2025
Lifemoves Human Performance, www. lifemoves. ca
Lifemoves kinesiologists understand neurodivergent needs. We provide compassionate, accessible care to help you feel supported and to encourage a sense of hope! We want you to thrive!