The McKesson Sensory Room - EvenStart Society Calgary

These devices contain sets of stimulating light arrays within an infinite tunnel or cascading rotary changing as the child speaks or turns knobs and controls.

The light panel displays
a rising or receding
set of lights
whenever
sound,
music,
laughter or
talking
occurs for the children
playing in its vicinity.

These wall boards
hold interchangeable
sets of puzzles,
sensory,
tactile, and
challenge play sets
for children
to experience
individually or
in groups.

The vibrating chair
is hooked up to
a sound system
and distributes sound
through vibration
to soothe and calm children.

The fibre optic netting has the effect of swaddling a child, enfolding and protecting against the fear of perceived outside forces as it transitions to soothing colours of white, blue, green, red, pink, purple, etc.

It can be draped over a child or strung around the soft cushion as the child lies in a dark room with its changing colors surrounding him/her. The calming effect of this device is remarkable.

The effects of color and light,
flickering, darkening and lightening,
are carried through into
the carpet texture which
holds fibre optic lights
to enjoy when the room is darkened.

The projector displays a myriad of different themes, lights, and story projections that capture a child's imagination and suspend the effects of trauma and fear.

The bubble tube is an endless source of joy for the children as they dance with the toys and themed elements churning within the tall stack, as it changes colors and momentum.

McKesson Canada 2005 Grant in support of EvenStart Society's Sensory Room Monterey Park Site
	The effects of maltreatment of child development, especially in the first three years of life, are well documented by Dr. Bruce Perry as an internationally recognized authority on children in crisis. http://www.childtrauma.org/CTAMATERIALS/incubated.asp

	Dr. Perry has shown that maltreated and traumatized children experience post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), resulting in increased muscle tone, increased temperature, increased startle response, (i.e., a constant 'fight or flight' syndrome, e.g., such children have no resting heart rate), decreased sleep regulation and decreased cardiovascular regulation.

	Their physiological state is dysregulated and sensitized, demonstrating a stress-response neurobiology. Behavioral signs include impulsivity, attention problems, dysphoria, social avoidance, disassociation, sleep problems, aggressive play, and delayed development. Mediating factors include characteristics of the family, where chaotic functioning and lack of secure attachment results in increased vulnerability to developing PTSD. Neglected children behave in somewhat different ways but show the same vulnerability. The accepted tenets for treatment include establishing a condition of safety and providing structure and protection that can contain and support a child.

The EvenStart program is designed to provide such a safe, predictable, and supportive environment. Difficulties in regulating one's physiological state are associated with emotional and behavioral problems. The children we serve are easily upset and often unable to calm themselves (i.e., self-regulate). If they experience inconsistent care/parenting strategies in their homes, they are further limited in their ability to develop emotional and behavioral control. When their lives are inconsistent, they have difficulty developing stable concepts of cause-and-effect. The EvenStart Preschool program is a stable place where they can experience consistent and rewarding interactions.
The following pictures are of the new sensory room installation at our northeast site location. (Please note that for reasons of FOIP, pictures inclusive of children are representative only.)


2005