GentleHands will have a dedicated sensory room when we open. Our biggest inspiration comes from an amazing little boy who is the son of a dear friend. I suffered from prenatal depression and as part of my obsessive planning and researching (a function of anxiety) I stumbled upon an amazing group of local moms called Postpartum Wellness Tallahassee. I joined this group knowing I would need to build a village around me and wow are these moms up for the call to be a village. At the second play date, I met an amazing mom and child who were just beginning their journey as a family with special needs. I have seen this friend cope with so many difficult things and I wish finding places to go that offer her son inclusive activities was not one of them, but it certainly has been. Our sensory room will provide a quiet place for children to relax and gently engage their senses in a smaller environment. Our sensory room is geared more towards sensory avoiders who need a quieter space to explore and decompress. We will have gross motor areas and an interactive sensory wall for children who are in more of a sensory seeker mode. Here’s what a couple of local moms had to say about why a sensory room would benefit them.
“We have to avoid so many traditional activities due to my son's sensory issues. Having a place where my son could engage without being overwhelmed would be a life changing opportunity for our family. As he learns coping skills for the world around him, I would love nothing more than to give him the chance to be in a place that provides a safe environment for him to play and express himself without fear or anxiety.” -Kelly A.
“Having a calmer, inviting space for my kiddo to recalibrate would help extend our play and help us work through sensory overload meltdowns which otherwise send us home. I'm so glad this is something you are aiming to provide.”- Amy K.
While these spaces have details in mind for children with special needs, inclusion is for everyone and I believe all children, including yours, will enjoy these spaces.
Our Kickstarter has launched!