Perkins Library Offers Sensory Kits to Reduce Stress, Assist Neurodiverse Students

Fidget Toys

From silicone poppers and squeeze balls to wiggly slugs and click fidget toys, Perkins Library has students covered this year with new sensory kits.

Used in various educational settings, these kits offer calming input or stimulation to help people manage their emotions and stay focused.

“Offering these toolkits in the library not only provides opportunities to support neurodiverse students but also acknowledges that neurodiverse individuals are members of our Duke community,” said Julia Schechter, a child and family clinical psychologist and co-director of the Duke Center for Girls and Women with ADHD. “These kits are a step toward building environments that are more inclusive of all types of learners and thinkers, which can lead to more vibrant and innovative communities.”

The kits were made possible due to funding from an Office of Faculty Advancement Seed Grant: Increasing Neurodiversity Competency of Faculty at Duke University.  

“Our hope is that the sensory kits will provide support to the Duke community during events, meetings, or in the classroom,” said Tara Chandrasekhar, a psychiatrist in the Duke Autism clinic and associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences in the Child & Family Mental Health & Community Psychiatry Division.

Kits are available in two sizes. The large kit includes a sound machine, fiber optic light, pin art, snake fidgets, popper fidgets, and stress balls; the small kit includes a variety of fidgets (15 total) and stress balls.  Five kits of each size are available.

Students with a library card can check them out any time.

“Our hope is that the sensory kits will provide support to the Duke community during events ... or in the classroom.”

Tara Chandrasekhar, Psychiatrist in Duke Autism Clinic