An Introduction To Our New Sensory RoomWhat is it? A sensory room is a quieter place where participants can go to spend time when they're feeling overwhelmed. Items within a sensory room are designed to help with relaxation, development, and stimulation. Many people on the autism spectrum have sensory processing disorder or something similar; this means that many of our participants have trouble receiving information from their senses. Being over- or under-stimulated can often disrupt our participants' day by sending them into a behavior or making them want to self-isolate into a quiet environment. Having a designated area that is designed for the senses and is quieter will allow our participants to better self regulate and learn new skills. Sensory rooms can aid learning/development, help to relax an agitated person or stimulate and raise alertness levels of someone who has sensory processing disorders. They can help increase concentration, focus attention, improve alertness and creativity, increase social skills, lower stress, give practice making choices and self advocating, and more. Our sensory also includes gymnastic floor mats, so participants who use wheelchairs to move around have another opportunity to get out of their chairs and stretch for a bit safely. In the short time that we have had the sensory room, we have already seen some changes in our participants and the way they interact with their everyday life. One participant gets overstimulated with loud noises and he begins to yell and will sometimes hit other participants. Since the addition of the sensory room, he has had easier days and tends to stay calm for longer after spending time in the sensory room. Another participant faces challenges around food, which increase when he is feeling under-stimulated. Since having the sensory room, he has been using his words more, seems calmer, and engages in more activities. Staff are now able to redirect him to a sensory item or the sensory room when he begins to experience difficulties and he's able to use the space to self regulate and calm himself down. Plant SaleOn April 21st, 2018 we will be holding our second annual plant sale to benefit our horticultural therapy program! We'll be selling Northwest native plants provided by Bosky Dell Natives in West Linn, Oregon, as well as plants grown by participants in our sensory garden. The sale is from 9am to 3pm at our facility, located at 4450 SW 184th Ave, Aloha, OR 97007.
In Memoriam: Frankie DiskoThis month, longtime Imagine Possibilities participant Frankie Disko passed away at age 55. Frankie was a bright, cheerful person with a deep love for sports and his friends. He loved to sing songs from Grease during karaoke, to joke and laugh with friends, and for several years he dressed up as Fonzie from Happy Days for Halloween and greeted everyone he met with a double thumbs up and a grin. In the old printed IP newsletter, he provided the sports column, where he would talk about upcoming games and the prospects of his favorite teams. We will miss him deeply. |