NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — The Baby Fold has begun construction on a new, state-of-the-art sensory room, designed to help Hammitt School students learn to self-regulate.
Hammitt School is an extension of Baby Fold, serving kids with emotional or social challenges. They aim to meet kids where they are to provide them with what they need to learn in school.
“A lot of the student population at Hammitt schools is on the autism spectrum or, again, has some sort of behavioral or emotional challenges,” said Sam Guillory, vice president of public relations and development at the Baby Fold. “Having resources like this sensory room is a way to meet, to meet our children’s needs right where they’re at.”
“This is a way for them to, again, practice, self-regulate, learning techniques, and exert some energy when needed.”
The room consists of a jungle gym type build, with swings, monkey bars, a rock climbing wall, a zipline and more all in order to help teach the students self-regulating techniques, so they may focus better inside the classroom.
“Every single one of the pieces of equipment provides a different type of input to help regulate that child, to provide sensory input,” Guillory said. “Sometimes when they’re dysregulated, this is going to be a part of their day that they can request, enjoy, and utilize so that when they’re in the classroom, they’re ready to focus and to learn.”
The build was made possible by a donation from Susan Hoblit and Larry Collins, who saw how important sensory play is for these kids and wanted to make an impact.
WMBD TV first reported this story. You can read the original story on our website at CIProud.com.
