Case Study:
Sensory Teen
Turnaround
Promoting self-regulation
in teenagers
The Background
Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School (BBCHS) supports teens with a range of intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities. Dr. Candace Wells, director of the Special Services Division, asked Fun and Function to create a calming sensory space that would help her students de-escalate from challenging emotions and behaviors.
The Vision
To create a teen-friendly sensory hideaway where kids with diverse needs and abilities can engage, relax and self-regulate.
The Challenge
The room would need enough equipment to accommodate several students using it simultaneously. Would this layout be possible while maintaining a sense of calm and privacy for each teen?
When BBCHS reached out to Fun and Function, they were in the process of physically renovating the space that would contain the sensory room. Would the team be able to successfully design the room while navigating a construction project?
The Process
Choosing the Sensory Tools
Considering that the room would be used by high school students, the team selected a variety of sophisticated sensory elements that would appeal to teens and young adults.
Designed with advanced motion sensor technology, the Interactive Sensory Projector allows students who use wheelchairs or who have limited mobility to participate in interactive activities and games.
To ensure that students would have a private space to hang out while in the room, the team utilized several different seating options. The Squeeze Me Seat provides calming compression to the torso area while the Therapy Rockers offer a soothing dose of vestibular input. Teens can sway gently on the Organic Cotton Hammock or unwind and decompress as they float away in the SensaSoft Compression Canoe. Finally, the Fiber Optic Softie Beanbag is a cozy spot where teens can receive a combination of visual and proprioceptive input.
The team added the Custom Corner with Bubble Tube to provide a semi-secluded area where students can relax under the comforting glow of a bubble tube. To promote opportunities for engagement and socialization, the team added a selection of interactive multi-sensory equipment. The team opted for wall-mounted units to maximize space.
The Sound Activated Light Panel contains a built-in microphone that picks up on sound, offering teens of many abilities the opportunity to practice speech and vocalization skills. Students can also practice visual tracking and color recognition as they use their hands to activate lights and sounds on the Music Touch Wall.
Students can run their hands across the safe-to-touch Fiber Optic Wall Carpet or squish the Round Gel Tiles for a satisfying tactile experience. The eye-catching SenaSoft UV Musical Tactile Panel provides an engaging outlet for tactile stimulation and auditory feedback.
Step 2: Design & Layout
The team selected equipment in calming blue tones with white accents, creating a serene, ocean-like feel in the room.
They strategically placed the seating and wall panels on the perimeter of the room, creating a spacious feel while leaving plenty of space in the center for the interactive projections.
The End Result
The Fun and Function team worked closely with the architects and electrical engineers to ensure a smooth and seamless process. In the end, the equipment was set up and installed without a hitch.
The room is now officially up and running, providing true sensory solace to the BBCHS staff and students.
Case Study:
Sensory Teen
Turnaround
Promoting self-regulationin teenagers
The Background
Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School (BBCHS) supports teens with a range of intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities. Dr. Candace Wells, director of the Special Services Division, asked Fun and Function to create a calming sensory space that would help her students de-escalate from challenging emotions and behaviors.
The Vision
To create a teen-friendly sensory hideaway where kids with diverse needs and abilities can engage, relax and self-regulate.
The Challenge
The room would need enough equipment to accommodate several students using it simultaneously. Would this layout be possible while maintaining a sense of calm and privacy for each teen?
When BBCHS reached out to Fun and Function, they were in the process of physically renovating the space that would contain the sensory room. Would the team be able to successfully design the room while navigating a construction project?
The Process
Choosing the Sensory Tools
Considering that the room would be used by high school students, the team selected a variety of sophisticated sensory elements that would appeal to teens and young adults.
Designed with advanced motion sensor technology, the Interactive Sensory Projector allows students who use wheelchairs or who have limited mobility to participate in interactive activities and games.
To ensure that students would have a private space to hang out while in the room, the team utilized several different seating options. The Squeeze Me Seat provides calming compression to the torso area while the Therapy Rockers offer a soothing dose of vestibular input. Teens can sway gently on the Organic Cotton Hammock or unwind and decompress as they float away in the SensaSoft Compression Canoe. Finally, the Fiber Optic Softie Beanbag is a cozy spot where teens can receive a combination of visual and proprioceptive input.
The team added the Custom Corner with Bubble Tube to provide a semi-secluded area where students can relax under the comforting glow of a bubble tube. To promote opportunities for engagement and socialization, the team added a selection of interactive multi-sensory equipment. The team opted for wall-mounted units to maximize space.
The Sound Activated Light Panel contains a built-in microphone that picks up on sound, offering teens of many abilities the opportunity to practice speech and vocalization skills. Students can also practice visual tracking and color recognition as they use their hands to activate lights and sounds on the Music Touch Wall.
Students can run their hands across the safe-to-touch Fiber Optic Wall Carpet or squish the Round Gel Tiles for a satisfying tactile experience. The eye-catching SenaSoft UV Musical Tactile Panel provides an engaging outlet for tactile stimulation and auditory feedback.
Step 2: Design & Layout
The team selected equipment in calming blue tones with white accents, creating a serene, ocean-like feel in the room.
They strategically placed the seating and wall panels on the perimeter of the room, creating a spacious feel while leaving plenty of space in the center for the interactive projections.
The End Result
The Fun and Function team worked closely with the architects and electrical engineers to ensure a smooth and seamless process. In the end, the equipment was set up and installed without a hitch.
The room is now officially up and running, providing true sensory solace to the BBCHS staff and students.
