How to Create a Sensory-Friendly Treatment Space for Neurodivergent Clients

As more people recognise and talk about neurodiversity, massage therapists are meeting more clients with sensory differences. Some clients might have autism, ADHD, or describe themselves as neurodivergent. For these clients, a massage can be soothing, but the sounds, smells, lights, and changes in routine can also feel too much.

The good news? You don’t need to spend a lot of money or change your whole setup. With a few small tweaks, you can make your massage space feel calmer, safer, and more welcoming for everyone. Many of these ideas are simple, low-cost, and easy to put in place, yet they can have a big impact on how comfortable your clients feel.

Here are some practical changes that can make a real difference:

Lighting: Keep It Soft and Gentle
Bright or flickering lights can be hard to cope with for someone who has sensory sensitivity. Overhead spotlights or fluorescent bulbs might feel too harsh and make it difficult to relax. Instead, try using lamps with soft, warm light. Dimmable lights are ideal because you can adjust them depending on the time of day or the client’s preferences. If you have natural light, use curtains or blinds to soften it rather than blocking it completely. Avoid using bulbs that flicker—they might look pretty, but they can be overstimulating.

Sound: Keep It Quiet and Calm
Some people enjoy gentle background music during a massage. Others might find it distracting or even stressful. That’s why it’s always best to ask each client what they prefer. If your space is near a noisy road, or if there are other practitioners working nearby, sound can be an issue. Rugs, curtains, and fabric furnishings help reduce noise by absorbing sound. A white noise machine can be a helpful tool too, it softens background noise and can make your space feel more peaceful.

If you know there will be unavoidable noise, like dogs barking outside or deliveries arriving, let your client know in advance. That way, they won’t be caught off guard.

Scent: Less Is More
Smells affect everyone differently. Some clients might love the scent of lavender, while others might find it overpowering. Strong smells like incense, essential oils or scented candles can be especially hard for someone with sensory sensitivity. It’s safer to use unscented oils and lotions as your default option. If you do offer scented products, give your client a choice, and let them know beforehand so they’re not surprised.

Touch: Give Control and Offer Choices
Massage is all about touch, but that doesn’t mean every client will enjoy the same type of pressure or contact. Some people may be more sensitive to light touch, or they might dislike certain areas being touched at all. Always ask what kind of pressure they prefer and if there are any areas they’d like to avoid. Let them know they can ask you to stop or change what you’re doing at any time.

Offer simple choices, such as whether they’d like to be covered with a blanket, orwhether they’d prefer light draping. For some, the weight of a blanket feels grounding and soothing. For others, it may feel restrictive or uncomfortable.

The Room: Keep It Simple and Organised
A busy or cluttered room can be distracting and make it harder for a client to feel settled. Aim to keep your treatment space tidy, with minimal decorations and calming colours. Neutral tones like beige, soft green, or warm grey are more soothing than bright pinks or bold patterns. Choose natural textures where possible, wood, cotton, and soft fabrics work well.

Keep supplies out of sight if you can. Tidy shelves, hidden storage, or plain boxes can help reduce visual clutter. Less stimulation means your client can focus more easily on relaxing.

Routine: Help Them Know What to Expect
For many neurodivergent people, unexpected changes or not knowing what will happen next can cause anxiety. One way to help is to keep your sessions predictable. Try to follow the same routine each time, and if that's not how you work, then explain what’s going to happen during the session.

You could send a welcome email to new clients before their appointment. Include details like where to park, what your room looks like, how long the session will last, and what will happen step-by-step. Some clients may appreciate seeing a photo of your room or a short video showing where they’ll be going.

During the session, use clear and simple language to guide them. Say things like, "Next I’m going to move to your shoulders," or "I’ll give you a moment to turn over now."

Consent and Communication: Keep It Clear and Manageable
Good communication is always important, but it matters even more when working with clients who may find verbal interaction challenging. Use short, clear sentences and give your client time to process what you’ve said. Avoid open-ended questions like “How are you feeling?” which can feel vague or confusing. Instead, use closed questions like “Would you like more pressure?” or “Would you like a blanket?”

Some clients may prefer less talking during the session, or might feel more comfortable reading information than hearing it. Offer information in writing when you can, and make it clear that clients can set the tone for how much they want to talk, or not talk, during their treatment.

Think about including tick boxes on your intake form to ask whether they prefer no music, no scents, dim lighting, or other sensory considerations. This gives clients a way to communicate their needs without having to explain everything out loud, which can feel more manageable.

Consent isn’t a one-off thing. Check in gently throughout the session and let your clients know they can change their mind at any time. Respect personal preferences around eye contact, conversation, touch, and space.

Aftercare, Payment and Rebooking: Make the Transition Smooth
The end of a session can sometimes feel rushed or awkward, especially for clients who are sensitive to changes in pace or uncertain social situations. For neurodivergent clients, this part of the experience can be just as important as the treatment itself.

One helpful approach is to clearly explain your process ahead of time. For example, let clients know when and how payment will be taken, whether rebooking will be offered at the end, and what they can expect as the session closes. This can reduce anxiety and make the transition feel smoother.

Taking payment before the session is often a good option. It avoids that slightly pressured feeling afterwards, especially if the client is feeling relaxed, quiet, or needing a bit of time to process, you don’t want to undo all your good work! You might also want to send follow-up information in writing, such as rebooking links or aftercare tips, so they don’t have to remember everything straight away.

Whatever your system is, the key is to make it clear, consistent, and low-pressure.

Final Thoughts
Making your massage room more sensory-friendly doesn’t require big changes or fancy equipment. It’s about paying attention to the little things that make people feel safe, calm, and respected.

When clients feel at ease, they’re more likely to relax, enjoy their treatment, and come back again. They might also tell others how comfortable and supported they felt in your care. These small adjustments can make a big difference, not just for your neurodivergent clients, but for everyone who walks through your door.

Being thoughtful, inclusive, and flexible helps build trust, and that’s at the heart of every good massage practice.

About the Author

Esther Smith is a fully booked solo massage therapist with a background in business and a passion for helping other therapists grow their confidence and client base. After being made redundant at 49, she retrained in massage and built a thriving practice from scratch, starting out mobile, renting rooms, and eventually creating her own garden studio. Esther now combines hands-on therapy with teaching others how to market themselves authentically, and build sustainable businesses they love. You can learn more about her work at Building A Massage Therapy Business.