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disorder, blindness and cerebral palsy, among others – as reported by parents.

Using a sensory room has multiple immediate and long-term benefits for students For individuals who are overstimulated, a calming sensory room can help them calm down and destress. The space, which can be utilized by small groups of children, can promote socialization skills; as students interact with one another in a safe environment they may observe how their actions affect those around them. Furthermore, equipment in the room can help a student focus on the task at hand whether it’s maintaining their balance or playing with a toy.

Sensory rooms promote long-term skills, especially for students with autism. A May 2019 article by the American School for the Deaf lists several benefits including learnin how to appropriately respond to stimulation, enhance their learning and improve information retention and hone their fine and gross motor skills. “By providing a sense of calm an comfort, sensory rooms help children learn to self-regulate their behaviors, which ultimately improves focus,”

The history of sensory rooms can be traced back to the 1970s when Dutch therapists Jan Hulsegge and Ad Verheul experimented in creating a multi-sensory environment. Today, sensory rooms are utilized in schools, hospitals and community centers and more. Recently, sensory rooms were unveiled at the new Kansas City International Airport terminal and Chase Center – home of the Golden State Warriors football team – in San Francisco, California.

Cobb County School District in Marietta, Georgia has no less than three sensory rooms in its elementary schools. The newest room, located in Rocky Mount Elementary

“The kids immediately light up when they come in here, and it really changes their state of mind,” said Dr. Cheri Vaniman, principal of Rocky Mount. “If they were frustrated at some point, they come in here, and it’s just that chance to just relax. They can work through the problem and are able to get back into class.”