Soft, twinkling lights illuminate the back wall, while the gentle sound of bubbling water mingles with the colorful lights in a tall tower. The sensory room at Stanly Industrial Services (SIS) is a peaceful oasis designed to support both staff and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
The Purpose of the Sensory Room
The sensory room, funded through an internal Monarch grant for $2,500, was created by Occupational Therapist Amy Grout, OTL/R, to provide a calming space for those who attend the SIS Day program. Located off the main hall, this tranquil room offers a quiet retreat for relaxation, away from the lively social activities, games and artwork that take place in the main areas.
According to Grout, this transformation was important because it allowed her to use her office space in a way that better served the people supported. “The people that we support have limitations to achieving the kind of self-direction that most of us take for granted,” she explains. “Choices like what to have for dinner or who to spend time with aren’t readily available to adults with I/DD.”
A Collaborative Effort
When the grant was approved, Grout and her team worked quickly to turn her old office into the sensory room. The staff and people supported at SIS were involved in the process, helping to assemble furniture, paint the walls and create games and sensory mats. “I liked seeing the room’s transformation,” said Dylan, a person supported at SIS. “It was good to help and put things together. I come in here and relax for a little while and feel good after.”
Features of the Sensory Room
Designed to stimulate the senses while promoting relaxation, the room features various sensory tools, including headphones for listening to music, gently rocking chairs and a bubble tower with calming water sounds. The room is open for 20- to 30-minute sessions, during which visitors use a visual timer to remind them when their time is up.
Tony, who helped assemble the colorful sensory mat, enjoys taking breaks in the room. “I like to come in here. It is relaxing,” he says. Angel uses the magnetic and alphabet boards to improve her fine motor skills, and Sara visits about three times a day to enjoy the quiet and soothing lights.
The Impact of Generous Donations
Grout is grateful to donors who made the sensory room possible. While sensory rooms in the occupational therapy field can cost upwards of $30,000, the entire grant was used for supplies and equipment to create this calming space, which has become a favorite among SIS attendees.
Learn More About the SIS Sensory Room
To learn more about the SIS sensory room and see how it benefits the people supported, click on the video below or watch it here.
Learn More about Monarch’s Services and Support
If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about the resources Monarch offers, including sensory rooms and other supportive services, please call us at (866) 272-7826.