Sensory Room Allows Students to Focus
December 20, 2017
By: Cathy Spaulding
Source: Muskogee Phoenix
Ben Franklin STEM Academy students with certain needs have a place to swing, watch bubbles, relax and focus better in class.
BFSA teachers Carol Ford and Heather Lasson created a Sensory Room with items funded by a $4,000 Education Foundation of Muskogee grant. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Math.
Ford, who teaches special education, said the room is geared for children with autism or sensory integration problems. Ford said BFSA has 25 children identified with certain needs who might use the room.
“They have autism, they have intellectual disabilities, some are diagnosed with emotional disturbances, there is a lot of interconnectedness between the disabilities, as well,” she said. “We’re going to open it up to whoever would really need it.”
Ford expressed childlike enthusiasm as she showed items in the soft green room.
“The bubble machine is an area for focusing. It changes color,” she said. “I have kids who would watch these things for hours.”