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I talk about Autism, a lot

An Autism Sensory/Therapy Room: Update

5/8/2013

7 Comments

 
Picture
It has been awhile since I have updated you on our therapy room.  I originally wrote about designing the room here.  We have added some pretty cool things and the girls are loving it.  Kate has therapy in this room as often as we can make it work and we even let them have free play in here (which is against the advice of some of the experts.)  I guess I am getting pretty good at going against the advice of the 'experts' lately.  I hope Kate will thank me for that one day.  

The first new addition to the room is the mural painted by local artist
Gerry Collins.  Thanks Grama.  He is a family friend and he painted this mural using a vintage 1920's colouring book for inspiration.  We wanted it to look like a child's room but we didn't want a typical cartoon mural.  We also knew better than to tell an artist what to do.  We left Gerry upstairs for a few days and we were left with an absolutley priceless piece of art.  Monty even appears in the painting! 

Next, we added the seahorse mirror that Kate's aunt and uncle bought her.   Thanks guys! The girls adore it.  They love to stand in front of it and make funny faces.  Kate and I can practice facial expressions and she loves to talk to herself in the mirror. 

Finally, we added the pink gym mat.  Thanks Grampy.  One of Kate's favourite ways to stim is jumping.  She could jump up and down over and over all day.  (I know, I need to add one of those mini trampolines with a safety handle, right?) This mat allows her to relieve some of that sensory-seeking behavior.  She can crash and roll and fall as much as she likes and she loves it.  Grace, although less rough and tumble than her sister, also enjoys playing on the mat.  It is great for the practical uses of physio and occupational therapy exercises but it also good for just plain old play.

If you are thinking of putting a room like this together for your child please keep in mind that Kate is primarily a sensory-seeker.  She likes pressure and rough play.  The room has been designed to help Kate meet sensory-seeking needs like spinning or jumping.  She can, at times, be a sensory-defender.  When she is feeling this way (usually a holiday or a birthday party can bring this on) I would not bring her to this room.  At those times she is better served to go to her bedroom with one of us which is very calming and simply decorated with little distraction and soft lighting.  

Alex and I do not claim to be experts in sensory room design but we are here if you have any questions about designing one of your own. 

Picture
This mirror is beautiful and much larger than I expected.
Picture
Grace mid-somersault.
7 Comments
sandy
5/8/2013 07:40:08 am

love what you have done !!and all additions are awesome!!

Reply
Shanell
5/10/2013 07:02:51 am

Thanks Sandy :)

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Lucy LeBlanc
5/8/2013 08:20:58 am

Love the mural and the seahorse mirror! My sister is an EA at Forest Hills and she painted a mural in the resource room where some of the students go for sensory. The kids really enjoy the fairyland theme she used. One little guy sits in the swing and spins around and plays peek-a-boo with the friendly dragon. Murals are a great way to brighten up a room and make it more interesting.

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Shanell
5/10/2013 07:04:18 am

Lucy, I saw the pictures and your sister is very talented. I love when art is involved in therapy!

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Sophiestrains link
5/9/2013 05:35:52 am

Love the room it is great. Am curious though, I never heard that kids shouldn't use their therapy room as play room? Which philosophy is that why and what is the reasoning? It stumped me :)

Reply
Shanell
5/10/2013 07:12:20 am

Some professionals we have world with have suggested that Kate's therapy room be used for therapy only and not play so she wouldn't associate those toys with play. Which is confusing because we feel Kate learns through play. I guess there are different kinds of play though. The Son-rise program also suggests we keep the room for therapy only and the toys out of sight and reach until Kate initiates. Sort of a pivotal response thing I guess. By the way...I loved your post on being hard on the neurodiversity crowd. I could have written it myself!

Reply
Adele
8/26/2013 03:12:52 am

I loved what you done with the room! I have a little brother (6 years old) and severely autistic. My Mum is currently looking for someone to come and fix his new room into a sensory room. Do you know anywhere that can do this?

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