The first things you’ll notice are the bright colors splashed across the walls. Ours is an Ocean Theme! Next, your eyes will move to all the different kid-friendly stations. From the different swings to the ball pits to the climbing walls, it’s a child’s paradise!

ALL children can use and enjoy sensory gyms however, for kids with special needs it is a therapeutic space.  Our hand-picked choice of equipment gives children with autism, ASD, ADHD, learning difficulties, and other neurodiversity, access to the tools they need for sensory regulation in a non-threatening environment. Sensory Gyms foster independence, reduce meltdowns, and limit social stress by making kids feel calmer. In addition to providing health and fitness benefits.

A Sensory gym is a structured environment that helps children with special needs develop their sensory, communication and motor skills. These gyms also improve self-esteem and social skills, fine motor skills, body awareness, improve muscle strength, coordination, and balance. A recent study demonstrates that Sensory gyms help children exercise independence, communicate better, and strengthen their self-care habits and attention spans.

Our open play passes include access to the sensory gym.  Our Sensory gym includes swings, trampolines, therapy balls, ball pits, tunnels, climbing walls, and many more tools to help your child become more confident with sudden changes in their environment. 



 

Here are four indicators that your child may benefit from a sensory gym.

​

1. Your child craves sensory input

If your child enjoys spinning, crashing into walls, or constantly running, climbing and jumping on couches, a symptom of hyposensitivity, a sensory gym could be beneficial to help your child process and develop his sensory skills.

​

2. Your child hates sensory input

If your child shies away from different textures, sounds and experiences or can’t stand to be touched, a symptom of hypersensitivity, he could use a sensory gym to learn to manage sensory information.

​

3. Your child is lethargic

If your child is lethargic, unengaged and seems unable to absorb normal stimulation, he could benefit from a sensory gym by practicing responding to sensory information.

​

4. Your child needs motivation to keep moving lots of different muscles

Maybe your child lacks complete muscle control, as children with cerebral palsy do. A sensory gym will give him a safe, friendly environment that encourages him to move all of his muscles.

​

5. Even if your child does not have special needs

Even if your child does not have special needs, sensory gyms are beneficial for fine-tuning physical, motor, social and sensory skills.  

 

If your child does have a sensory disorder, a sensory gym acts as a form of physical therapy that will help alleviate the symptoms of his disorder. If you find that your child has difficulty processing information, introduce your child to a sensory gym and observe how he reacts.

​

The more sensory integration skills a child can master, the easier it will be for him to learn new information and grow.

​

Sourced and Adapted from : www.waynerock.org