Sunday, July 10, 2011

A Sensory Room

We will have a room in our new house that we are thinking of dedicating to a sensory room for the children, especially Mason and Saige.  With Mason, we have a good idea of various types of equipment that would work well for him.  With Saige we have no idea.  Perhaps once she starts therapy services we can figure some things out.  Here are some things that I have found so far that I think might work!  First up a tent of some type that way they can have some sort of confinement in as well as bring in a flashlight, books, blanket, etc.  

Next up is some type of swing.  I'm not sure that this one will work because I want him to be able to sit on it and lay on it.  He utilizes this a lot in therapy.  He will have to lay on his tummy and use his muscles to "go fishing" for toys.  Not sure that this particular swing would provide all that he needs.
This next chair I think is cool.  Not only can he go inside it and fold down the canopy but it also swivels.  All of the children love to be pushed around on a desk type chair.
This little trampoline wannabe looks fun and has great reviews.  

I also want to make a stretchy blanket and need to make a weighted blanket.  Also a ball pit will be in the works as both Saige and Mason really benefit from these.  Thinking of doing a little reading corner as well.  I've seen a lot of sensory rooms with lava lamps...that could be relaxing and calming too.  There are so many options.  I know that it probably sounds crazy to be putting all of this into a house, but we really want to create a space that can be utilized by them to help them calm down and hopefully one day they will just go in there on their own and realize that these things help them to calm and regain control of their bodies.  Not to mention that we are looking to find therapy offices that will be closer to our new home and 95% of the OT's are home based.  I really don't want to do home-based because I know that Mason uses the larger equipment that is found in a clinical setting.  This may help in bridging that gap too.