Feature Stories

Multi-sensory room helps disabled kids explore, learn
BY KAREN SHIDELER The Wichita Eagle
Posted Mon. Sep. 18, 2006

"Paint," Andrew said, patting one of the handprints that line a wall of the new Multi-Sensory Environment room at Heartspring.

Yes, Andrew, paint. And so much more.

Look, in the corner behind you, at the loft. Even with movement and language problems, you can climb the steps to the platform. If you're brave, you can jump off, sinking into the giant pillows below. If you're feeling unsure, you can slide down the far end, landing on a tumbling mat.

Did you see the tall colored bubble tube when you came in? It runs automatically, but it also has an on-off switch that Shae, who doesn't talk, can use as she learns about cause and effect.

Look at the ball pit, where Micah and William are disappearing and reappearing. You can't understand what Micah's trying to say, but boy, can you see how this makes him giggle and wiggle. Oops! William just disappeared, except for his feet and legs.

Oh, and there's so much more in this room, which opens today with an official ribbon-cutting at 5:30 p.m.

The grown-up dignitaries will be here then, thanking the K.T. Wiedemann Foundation for the $22,000 grant that made this room possible. They will be talking about how it will help children ages 5 to 21 who have autism and other disabilities and noting how there isn't another room of this size and scope until you get to the East Coast.

But this room is really about kids. Look into the future, and see all the fun the students will have as they use the textures and lights and sounds and even smells to reinforce what they're learning at Heartspring, a school for children with multiple disabilities.

See how this room might be motivation for a child who doesn't want to finish a lesson -- but does because he knows he can explore the bubble machine or sound tubes later.

See how calming it might be for a child to sit on a sheepskin rug and watch slow-changing slides of butterflies on the wall.

See how much fun it would be to have all this stuff in a corner of your office.

See why the Heartspring teachers and therapists are so excited?