Hannah Hemby SPED 5330

1

Sensory Room Project

Zone 1: Sight Sensory Sight Sensory Station: Fiber Optic Rope Light Tunnel

o Does your sensory stimulation area target one disability or multiple disabilities? List the disabilities.

This station targets a range of disabilities as it is designed to be a visually stimulating experience. Children with visual impairments can even enjoy this predominately vision oriented station by feeling the floor length light strands as they walk through the tunnel. Other children with disabilities who can benefit from this area include hearing impaired, sensory impaired, ADD/ADHD, EBD, ID, LD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and multiple disability.

The children can walk or be gently pushed through the lights while touching and examining them up close. The fiber optic lights will not be thick or heavy and can even brush along the children’s faces as they walk through the tunnel. I placed this area at the opening of the room to bring excitement and anticipation as the children enter the space.

o For which ages and/or grade levels is the stimulation designed for, or will it be incorporated into an inclusion setting?

This tunnel (as well as the entire room) has the ability to become an inclusive environment. It is designed to stimulate the senses (or de-stimulate in zones 4 and 6) of primary aged children, but can be enjoyed by teens and adults as well.

o What long-term benefits should you expect the children to demonstrate? The fiber optic light tunnel can benefit the children’s vision

centers in the brain by the stimulating lights and various colors. I would expect that the children to anticipate excitement as they walk through the tunnel, wondering, “What am I going to find next?!”

Zone 2: Sight, Touch, and Vestibular Sensory Sight Sensory Station: Interactive Light Display

o Does your sensory stimulation area target one disability or multiple disabilities? List the disabilities.

This station is based on an actual interactive light display in the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, located in Dallas, Texas. It specifically targets a range of disabilities as it is designed to be a visually and physically stimulating experience. Children with disabilities who can benefit from this area include hearing impaired, some sensory impaired, ADD/ADHD, EBD, ID, LD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and multiple disability. The light interactions are based on the child’s shadow movements projected onto the screen. Examples include: moving marbles with bodily movement, standing still enough for butterflies to land on your shadow, and painting with bodily movement.

o For which ages and/or grade levels is the stimulation designed for, or will it be incorporated into an inclusion setting?

This stimulation is designed for primary school aged children, but can be enjoyed by anyone who has a shadow! I have personally seen adults and children without disabilities enjoy interacting with the projected images, and this stimulation could easily be incorporated into an inclusive environment.

o What long-term benefits should you expect the children to demonstrate? This station is based on the child’s (or any individual’s) control of

gross motor skills. I expect the long-term benefits to be the fine-tuning of these motor skills as the child works to control the movement of paint brushes, marbles, and other interactive elements. The “stillness oriented” butterfly interaction may also have a calming affect on a child with ADD/ADHD and EBD; the goal being that they may work to keep their shadows still enough so that the butterflies are not scared away from landing on their shadow.

Hannah Hemby SPED 5330

3

Touch Sensory Stations: Play Fort, Ball Foam Pit, and Rock Wallo Does your sensory stimulation area target one disability or multiple

disabilities? List the disabilities. These stations were based on a larger children’s indoor play gym

design located in Texas. The stations target a range of disabilities and are designed to be a physically stimulating and tactile experience. Though visually impaired children may not enjoy this station as well or need extra support while participating, children with disabilities who can benefit from this area include hearing impaired, sensory impaired, ADD/ADHD, EBD, ID, LD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and multiple disability. This area is designed to promote physical activity to relieve stress, anxiety, and muscle weakness. The rock wall is embedded in the ball foam pit (to be used with supervision), and the play fort has an included ramp so that children with mobility restrictions may access the upper level.

o For which ages and/or grade levels is the stimulation designed for, or will it be incorporated into an inclusion setting?

The ball foam pit, rock climbing wall, and pirate ship play fort has the ability to become an inclusive environment with appropriate supervision. It is designed to be a physical play area that is safe for children with disabilities and an energy release for primary aged children. However, this area may also be used as an inclusive setting and older children can also enjoy this area if they are interested.

o What long-term benefits should you expect the children to demonstrate? These stations can promote the building of muscle function and

coordination. The play fort (shaped like a pirate ship) is to be used for the children’s imagination and energy release (as well as the benefit of perspective skills from climbing to the upper level), the ball foam pit is for safe physical play and stimulation, and the rock climbing wall promotes foot and hand-eye coordination, balance, and upper body strengthening of muscles that aren’t normally used on a daily basis. (Note: the rock wall will be used only with trained supervision and will not be higher than 8 feet for safety reasons).

Vestibular Sensory Stations: Climbing Ladder, Trampoline, and Rock Wallo Does your sensory stimulation area target one disability or multiple

disabilities? List the disabilities. These stations target a range of disabilities as they are designed

to be a Vestibular stimulating experience. Though visually impaired children may not enjoy this station as well or need extra support while participating, children with disabilities who can benefit from this area include hearing impaired, sensory impaired,

ADD/ADHD, EBD, ID, LD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and multiple disability. This area is designed to promote balance, hand-eye and feet coordination, and physical activity to relieve stress, anxiety, and muscle weakness.

o For which ages and/or grade levels is the stimulation designed for, or will it be incorporated into an inclusion setting?

The climbing ladder, rock climbing wall, and trampoline has the ability to become an inclusive environment with appropriate supervision. They are designed to be a physical play area that is safe for children with disabilities and an energy release for primary aged children. However, this area may also be used as an inclusive setting and older children can also enjoy this area if they are interested.

o What long-term benefits should you expect the children to demonstrate? These stations promote the demonstration of long term benefits

of hand-eye and feet coordination, gross motor control, and perception strengthening. The trampoline may be used to physically stimulate the legs and torso as the child works on jumping and bouncing (timing and feet coordination). Both the rock wall and climbing ladder help the child to work on hand-eye coordination and depth perception skills.

Zone 3: Sound and Touch Sensory Sound and Touch Sensory Station: Interactive “Listening Wall”

o Does your sensory stimulation area target one disability or multiple disabilities? List the disabilities.

This station was based on the design of a listening wall in the Children’s Discovery Center in San Antonio, Texas. It targets a range of disabilities as it is designed to be an auditory and tactile stimulating experience. Children with visual impairments can enjoy this predominately sound sensory oriented station by feeling the different tactile elements, symbols, and 3D pictures and listening to the sound that comes from the small holes beneath each element when pressing a button. The elements will light up when each button is pressed, and games may also be incorporated for children with visual impairments to guess which sound comes from each picture before the button is pressed. Other children with disabilities who can benefit from this area include some sensory impaired, ADD/ADHD, EBD, ID, LD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and multiple disability.

o For which ages and/or grade levels is the stimulation designed for, or will it be incorporated into an inclusion setting?

This interactive wall is designed for primary school age children with physical and mental disabilities, but may be incorporated into early childhood classes for review of sight words.

Hannah Hemby SPED 5330

5

o What long-term benefits should you expect the children to demonstrate? I expect the children who use the listening wall to be able to

demonstrate tactile association with matching sounds and also to make the mental connection between pressing the buttons to light up the correct image.

Touch Sensory Station: Bubble Hoopso Does your sensory stimulation area target one disability or multiple

disabilities? List the disabilities. This station was based on the design of a bubble hoop in the

Children’s Discovery Center in San Antonio, Texas. It targets a range of disabilities as it is designed to be a visually stimulating experience. Other children with disabilities who can benefit from this area include some sensory impaired, ADD/ADHD, EBD, ID, LD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and multiple disability.

o For which ages and/or grade levels is the stimulation designed for, or will it be incorporated into an inclusion setting?

This bubble hoop is designed for primary school age children with physical and mental disabilities, but may be incorporated into early childhood classes for a fun lesson explaining surface tension (science lesson).

o What long-term benefits should you expect the children to demonstrate? I would expect the children who use this bubble hoop to

demonstrate smooth coordination of their limbs. In order for the bubble to encompass them, the child must pull on the rope slowly and evenly to create a lasting bubble. If the child pulls too quickly or unevenly, the bubble will pop!

Zone 4: Sight and Touch Sensory/De-Stimulation Area Sight Sensory Station/De-Stimulation Area: Nature Windows, Hammock, and

Hanging Chairs o Does your sensory stimulation area target one disability or multiple

disabilities? List the disabilities. These stations target a range of disabilities as they are designed

to be a visually de-stimulating experience. Children with visual impairments can even enjoy this predominately vision oriented station by swinging in the hanging chairs and hammock located by the nature windows. Other children with disabilities who can benefit from this area include hearing impaired, sensory impaired, ADD/ADHD, EBD, ID, LD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and multiple disability.

o For which ages and/or grade levels is the stimulation designed for, or will it be incorporated into an inclusion setting?

This nature room area is designed for primary school age children with physical and mental disabilities, but may be enjoyed by adults, teens, and in the inclusive classroom setting.

o What long-term benefits should you expect the children to demonstrate? Sunlight and outdoor time is an important part of therapy and a

benefit for overall health and healing. When children are allowed to gaze through the windows at the clouds, trees, and wildlife while swaying in a hammock or hanging chair, this is a relaxing and generally de-stimulating experience. Whether sunny or raining outside, this area may be enjoyed during all times and all seasons to ensure children are being exposed to some form of Vitamin D and anti-technology observation. I would expect that children who use this room frequently would be calmer, especially for those who are over-stimulated by closed in walls or rooms.

Touch Sensory Stations: Sand Boxo Does your sensory stimulation area target one disability or multiple

disabilities? List the disabilities. This station targets a range of disabilities as it is designed to be a

physically stimulating experience. Children with all sensory impairments can enjoy this station by feeling the soft and cool “cloud sand”, building sand formations, and searching for hidden treasures in the box. Other children with disabilities who can benefit from this area include VI, HI, sensory impaired, ADD/ADHD, EBD, ID, LD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and multiple disability.

o For which ages and/or grade levels is the stimulation designed for, or will it be incorporated into an inclusion setting?

This cloud sand box is designed to be a de-stimulating activity for primary school age children with physical and mental disabilities, but may be enjoyed by adults, teens, and in the inclusive classroom setting.

o What long-term benefits should you expect the children to demonstrate? Because this is a de-stimulating activity, I would expect the

children to find a sense of therapeutic calmness and energy release through feeling and forming the cloud sand into whatever they imagine.

Zone 5: Taste and Touch Sensory Taste Sensory Station: Eating and Craft Table

o Does your sensory stimulation area target one disability or multiple disabilities? List the disabilities.

This station targets a range of disabilities as it is designed to be a taste stimulating experience. If the child’s taste is not impaired in any way, supervised activities can include pizza making, decorating cookies, science baking experiments, ect. Other

Hannah Hemby SPED 5330

7

children with disabilities who can benefit from this area include HI, VI, sensory impaired, ADD/ADHD, EBD, ID, LD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and multiple disability.

o For which ages and/or grade levels is the stimulation designed for, or will it be incorporated into an inclusion setting?

This eating and craft table is designed to be a taste sensory activity area for primary school age children with physical and mental disabilities, but may be enjoyed by adults, teens, and in the inclusive classroom setting.

o What long-term benefits should you expect the children to demonstrate? I expect the children who use this area to demonstrate fine motor

control as they pick up objects of food, and taste association and learning over a period of time. As they decorate pizzas, they learn to carefully pick up smaller toppings and associate which toppings are appealing to their senses of taste. When they decorate cookies, they use their fine motor control and imagination with different icings and toppings to create a unique cookie.

Touch Sensory Station: Texture Wallo Does your sensory stimulation area target one disability or multiple

disabilities? List the disabilities. This station targets a range of disabilities as it is designed to be a

tactile stimulating experience. Children with visual impairments might especially enjoy these wall tiles, as there are varieties of textures to stimulate their imagination, sensory areas in the brain, and gross motor control. Other children with disabilities who can benefit from this area include VI, HI, sensory impaired, ADD/ADHD, EBD, ID, LD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and multiple disability.

o For which ages and/or grade levels is the stimulation designed for, or will it be incorporated into an inclusion setting?

The texture wall is designed to be a tactile and sensory stimulating activity for primary school age children with physical and mental disabilities, but may be enjoyed by adults, teens, and in the inclusive classroom setting.

o What long-term benefits should you expect the children to demonstrate? I expect the children to demonstrate tactile awareness, gross, and

fine motor control over time as they learn to interact with the differing textured surfaces.

Zone 6: Sight, Sound, and Touch Sensory/De-Stimulation Area Sight Sensory Station: Disco Ball, Rope Lights, and Lighted Bubble Columns

o Does your sensory stimulation area target one disability or multiple disabilities? List the disabilities.

This station targets a range of disabilities as it is designed to be a visually stimulating experience. As the focus is set on the changing colors, light patterns, and bubbles, there is an invoked sense of serenity and composure. Other children with disabilities who can benefit from this area include hearing impaired, sensory impaired, ADD/ADHD, EBD, ID, LD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and multiple disability.

o For which ages and/or grade levels is the stimulation designed for, or will it be incorporated into an inclusion setting?

This light display is designed to be a de-stimulating activity for primary school age children with physical and mental disabilities, but may be enjoyed by adults, teens, and in the inclusive classroom setting.

o What long-term benefits should you expect the children to demonstrate? Because this is a de-stimulating activity, I would expect the

children to find a sense of therapeutic calmness and energy release through feeling and forming the cloud sand into whatever they imagine.

Sound and Touch Sensory Station: De-Stimulation Area with Calming Music, Overstuffed Bean Bags, and Reading Bookshelf

o Does your sensory stimulation area target one disability or multiple disabilities? List the disabilities.

This area targets a range of disabilities as it is designed to be a de-stimulating space for children to end their time in the stimulation room. This space is designed in order for everyone to benefit from peaceful music, a safe and comfortable environment, and to tune out other areas of activity. ADD/ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder children will especially benefit from this area if they have become too stimulated to function and focus. It is also designed with all handicaps and disabilities in mind, so that the children may have plenty of freedom and space to relax on the overstuffed beanbags. Other children with disabilities who can benefit from this area include hearing impaired, sensory impaired, EBD, ID, LD, and multiple disability.

o For which ages and/or grade levels is the stimulation designed for, or will it be incorporated into an inclusion setting?

This de-stimulation area is designed to be for primary school age children with physical and mental disabilities, but may be enjoyed by adults, teens, and in the inclusive classroom setting.

o What long-term benefits should you expect the children to demonstrate? I expect the children to demonstrate a sense of calmness and

relaxation while enjoying this area, and to leave the sensory room without being as distracted by extraneous stimuli.

Hannah Hemby SPED 5330

9

*I have chosen the following video to be an addition to the example sensory room:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbXk1m5kcc0This video contains sensory elements that work on a child’s sense of communication, organization, and gross motor control. I chose this activity to add to the example sensory room because many children with learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, and Autism Spectrum, demand daily consistency and thrive on following a close schedule. Creating a daily schedule that the children may arrange themselves helps to enforce cognitive awareness of their tasks, the time and order of those tasks, and memory of their previous day. The child will place the illustrated Velcro picture card on the correct spacing order and in doing so, also work on his or her gross motor skills. I think that primary school aged children would benefit the most from this visual and tactile activity that helps them organize and plan their day.