Sensory friendly

Sensory inclusive bag for people with sensory processing disorders

Sensory friendly refers to a designed environment which is an accommodation for people who have a sensory dysfunction or a sensory processing disorder. There are sensory friendly experiences which are offered by businesses and there is also sensory friendly furniture.

Background

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Adults and children who report a sensory dysfunction or a sensory-integration disturbance often also present with a learning disability. A sensory friendly environment is created to assist those with a sensory processing disorder (SPD). The disorder is characterized by a hypersensitivity to stimuli accompanied by anxiety.[1] The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation believes that there may be as many as one in every 20 people living with a sensory processing disorder.[2] Sources debate whether SPD is an independent disorder or represents the observed symptoms of various other, more well-established, disorders.[3][4][5][6] SPD is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association,[7][8] and the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended in 2012 that pediatricians not use SPD as a stand-alone diagnosis.[7]

Autism

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See also: Autism-friendly

Autistic people often experience sensory overload when they are in their communities. To accommodate those with these specific disabilities, some businesses offer sensory friendly hours for shopping, eating or attending community events.[9]

For adults with autism, modification of the workplace environment includes softened lighting, reduced noise and partitions around work areas.[10]

PTSD and dementia

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Sensory challenges are often experienced by people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dementia. Sensory friendly areas of venues might include noise-cancelling headphones or quieter areas where guests can relax.[11][12]

Venues

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Some theaters offer sensory friendly film showings. For this type of showing, the sound is turned down, and the lights inside the theater are brighter.[13] The theaters also allow attendees to move around during the presentation, and even converse with the screen. The diminished stimulation is considered sensory friendly.[14][15]

The Betty Brinn Children's Museum sells a Sensory-Friendly Play Pass to accommodate children who are in need of a calmer, quieter space.[16] The Marbles Kids Museum hosts an event for families to experience Marbles in a calmer, quieter environment, which is considered sensory friendly playtime. They call it "Lights Up, Sound Down".[17]

Designs

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Sensory inclusive bag contents: Noise-cancelling headphones, KultureCity VIP tag, fidget toy and verbal cue card

The Target Corporation tailored furniture that they sell to what they called sensory-friendly designs. They also advertise weighted blankets which they say are "calming".[18] In June of 2022 the Milwaukee Brewers major league baseball team announced that they would designate a quiet area at American Family Field with sensory bags to accommodate those with sensory processing disorders. They stated that they would have "sensory bags" which will contain noise-cancelling headphones, a fidget toy, verbal cue cards and a weighted lap pad.[2]

Organizations

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KultureCity is a Nonprofit organization which provides training, and certification for venues and events to accommodate those with sensory sensitivities. The organization also provides a software application for Apple and Android devices which lists Sensory friendly venues. The application also lists sensory inclusive modifications.[13] Their motto is: "Make the nevers possible by creating sensory accessibility and inclusion for those with invisible disabilities".[19]

Another organization which provides sensory friendly kits, tools and suggestions to transform any space into a sensory inclusive space is Sensory City. The organization also provides a sensory friendly certificate to businesses.[20]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Moyes, Rebecca A. (2010). Building sensory friendly classrooms to support children with challenging behaviors : using data and cognitive behavioral therapy to teach replacement skills (Illustrated ed.). Arlington, TX: Sensory World. p. 6. ISBN 978-1935567233. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b Reid, Claire (30 June 2022). "Brewers will offer sensory bags, quiet area at American Family Field for guests with autism and other needs". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  3. ^ Brout J, Miller LJ. "DSM-5 Application for Sensory Processing Disorder Appendix A (part 1)". Research Gate. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  4. ^ Arky B. "The Debate Over Sensory Processing". Child Mind Institute. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  5. ^ Walbam, K. (2014). The Relevance of Sensory Processing Disorder to Social Work Practice: An Interdisciplinary Approach. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 31(1), 61-70. doi:10.1007/s10560-013-0308-2
  6. ^ "AAP Recommends Careful Approach to Using Sensory-Based Therapies". www.aap.org. Retrieved 2017-12-27.
  7. ^ a b Neale T (June 2012). "AAP: Don't Use Sensory Disorder Diagnosis". Medpage Today. Everyday Health. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  8. ^ Weinstein E (2016-11-22). "Making Sense of Sensory Processing Disorder". Psych Central. Archived from the original on 2018-11-27. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  9. ^ Grant, Robert Jason (2022). The complete guide to becoming an autism friendly professional : working with individuals, groups, and organizations (1st ed.). New York: Routledge. ISBN 978-0367615888. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  10. ^ Nason, Bill (2014). The autism discussion page on the core challenges of autism : a toolbox for helping children with autism feel safe, accepted, and competent (1st ed.). London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. p. 339. ISBN 978-1849059947. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  11. ^ "The Milwaukee County Zoo Receives Sensory Inclusion Certification". Milwaukee Zoo. Milwaukee County Zoo. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  12. ^ Stapleton, Susan; Hamlet, Isaac (1 August 2022). "5 new things at Iowa State Fair 2022, including a world record attempt and fresh events". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  13. ^ a b Biel, Lindsey (2009). Raising a sensory smart child : the definitive handbook for helping your child with sensory processing issues (Updated & rev. ed.). New York, N.Y.: Penguin Books. p. 440. ISBN 978-0143115342. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  14. ^ Dreiske, Nicole (2018). The upside of digital devices : how to make your child more screen smart, literate, and emotionally intelligent. Deerfield Beach, Florida: Health Communications, Inc. ISBN 978-0757320477. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  15. ^ Lagatta, Eric (15 July 2017). "Special Screenings Make Arts More Accessible". Springfield News-Sun. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  16. ^ "Sensory-Friendly Sessions". bbcmkids. Betty Brinn Children's Museum. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  17. ^ "Marbles Sensory Friendly Playtime". marbleskidsmuseum. Marbles Kids Museum. Archived from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  18. ^ "Sensory Friendly Kids' Home". Target. Target Brands, Inc. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  19. ^ "Make the nevers possible". KultureCity. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  20. ^ "Sensory City". Sensory City. American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Archived from the original on 6 April 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
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