Influence of physical classroom environment on the performance of students With down syndrome in school.

Abstract

The objective of this research was to analyze the influence of physical and sensory classroom environment factors on the academic performance and cognitive fatigue of students with special educational needs in a rural public institution in the Sucumbíos province. Under a qualitative approach and utilizing a biographical-narrative case study design, school infrastructure and structural adaptations were explored within a resourceconstrained context. The results demonstrate that environmental variables such as noise pollution, thermal stress, and the lack of adequate visual and tactile stimuli significantly increase cognitive load and limit students' active participation. It is concluded that the implementation of multisensory strategies based on concrete materials from the local environment mitigates the impact of the digital divide and deficient infrastructure, promoting a more inclusive school environment adapted to learner diversity.