A Life Long Legacy
On July 1, 2021 Pause celebrated the launch of our new event space! Over the past year, we observed how children utilized each space, but more importantly, how the environment set them up for success. Among a host of rooms, part of the space consists of three different leveled sensory rooms and a backyard themed gross motor room. All children have access to these support as they ask for them throughout their time at Pause. One of those sensory spaces, the Reflections Room, has become well loved by kids who have coined it the “ocean room”, as it’s equipped to mimic an under-the-ocean experience. The room is complete with dark blue lights, tents, a cozy big teddy bear and a bubble light to provide an overall calming atmosphere.
The Reflections Room supports what we know from expert neuroscientists around the world. When we allow children access to tools that help them feel safe, they are often able to regulate at the start of big feelings versus in the midst of them. It gives the adults in their care the capacity to connect with them first and then move towards correction when needed. The proof
is seen weekly with the children Pause serves and is demonstrated by their increased self-esteem, resilience and ability to thrive despite their diagnosis.
Why it's different:
1. Open access - kids GET TO access it anytime vs it being a place they HAVE TO go when they are dysregulated.
2. From wall murals to LED lighting and fish tubes, the space is calming. Adults on tours often ask if they can come use it!
3. A room that is safe and also feels safe. Everything is soft, activities are fun. While walls are padded, they are part of the theme so they don’t stand out.
4. Despite things being fun instead of punitive, kids use it only as needed for short periods and then quickly rejoin peer groups.
Meet Henry!
He’s a 7 year old Pause kiddo attending Wyandot Elementary School. Henry has autism, ADHD, generalized anxiety disorder, sensory issues and language delays. He has always had a difficult time at school. First it was because he had severe separation anxiety. Then in Kindergarten, the long day, new faces, noises and expectations were too much for him to process. He has since come a long way as a second grader, but he still has trouble with expectations, both academically and behaviorally. He struggles sometimes to regulate his emotions and reactions, and often needs a break from the busy classroom.
When Pause moved into its current home, the ocean room was immediately Henry’s favorite space. He loved the dark lights, tent, cozy big teddy bear, bubble light, and most of all, space to escape from sensory overload. Naturally, Henry wanted the same space in his school! He advocated to the school administration with his homemade “flier” he so graciously gave to his principal. With help from his intervention specialist, his principals, his parents and Pause, this 7 year old boy made a life changing impact.
The Buckingham family, including big brother Gavin, spent the last few days of summer painting, hanging lights, assembling fixtures and affixing a mural. A variety of elements came together to transform a nondescript file room into an under-the-sea oasis right inside of Wyandot.
The ocean room provides such an opportunity for all children, with and without disabilities. Pause loves that it is making such a positive impact and enabling students to thrive in their school environment and to help kiddos regulate their emotions. We hope the ocean room will serve as a powerful and effective tool in the educator’s toolbox for many years to come, and that the idea can expand to additional schools across the community and beyond.
They already heard amazing feedback about the room! A young boy spent less than 5 minutes in the room. He went in with a scowl, not talking because a classmate had told him he wasn’t the line leader. He snuggled the giant teddy bear, checked out the tent, watched the bubble lamp, and in almost no time his smile returned, as did he to his classroom. We heard another story about a non-verbal boy who was using his talker to press the button for “aquarium.” After some deliberation, they discovered that he wanted to visit the ocean room.
Henry’s mom, Sarah says, “We are all so proud of Henry and his advocacy. He saw a way to help himself and other friends who were struggling. We can’t wait to see what he feels passionate about next and how he finds new ways to support his dreams, forging the path to what is possible, starting out simply by asking, ‘Why not?’”
Henry’s advocacy is inspiring! A young boy who just wanted to help out his friends is leaving a life long legacy for generations to come.
This is CAN DO. This is COMMUNITY. This is YOUR SUPPORT.
