Sensory Needs Respites

Date posted: October 14, 2013

Sensory Needs Respite program helps children in turmoil turn down the heat before sensory overload reaches a behavioral boiling point. There is no miracle cure for severe sensory and behavior disorders, but life can get better for the entire family with a combination of support and relief.

What are severe sensory needs? For some children just the lightest touch is excruciating, light hurts their eyes, sounds seem magnified to an ear-splitting level. They react by lashing out or totally withdrawing. Either way, it takes a toll on the family and prevents the child from normal activities and development.

The Sensory Needs Respite Program at Allyn pairs each child with one of the 20 trained, talented staff member, and together, they develop social skills, work through behavior challenges and participate in several activities that focus on sensory needs.

Each participant has an individualized plan and an iPad to use while at Allyn. The iPad has a visual schedule of their activities, and even rewards are built in. Since many of these children are non-verbal, they use the iPad to communicate, using the ProLoQuo2Go application. The app. enables people to talk using symbols or typed text in a natural-sounding voice that suits their age and character.

The Sensory Respite program started this year, thanks to  a $112,000 grant from Impact 100 as well as support from Push America, the Rotary Foundation of Cincinnati. In addition, many foundations are funding program operations. The weekend program features a unique outdoor sensory trail and other features.

Separate Respite Weekends are held monthly throughout the school year for boys and girls, age 10 to 17. A full school year commitment (or the remainder of the school year after enrollment) is required to participate.

To get more information about this special program, call Meghan Kessen at 513-965-5115.