MEGAN RICHLEY
Inclusion Program Coordinator
Happy August! It is hard to believe that the kiddos are headed back to school so soon. I wish everyone the best of luck as they enter the rat race of back-to-school shopping for backpacks and supplies to fill them.
Speaking of backpacks… I am excited to share that we will now offer sensory sensitivity backpacks in all of our nature centers. Each nature center will have two backpacks available for checkout for visitors to use during their visit.
Sensory items are really great tools for those that process sensory inputs differently. Individuals may become overwhelmed or overstimulated in loud environments, like a nature center, and items like noise cancelling headphones can help the user regulate. Other times individuals may be craving sensory input and are looking for tactile or visual stimulation and items like a fidget spinner are really helpful in giving them that input that their body needs.
Each bag includes:
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- Noise canceling headphones: helps with over stimulation in loud environments
- Sunglasses: provides relief for those with light sensitivities
- Communication boards (English and Spanish): an important tool in communicating with individuals that are non verbal or with limited verbal communication
- Outdoor sensory scavenger hunt activity: a fun nature scavenger hunt using your senses
- Various fidget toys: fidgets help provide needed sensory input
- Nature sensory items: pinecones, bark, etc: fulfills a tactile input and exploration of a natural item
We are happy to have these tools available to help enhance visitor experiences in our parks. Look for these backpacks at Battelle Darby Creek, Blacklick Woods, Blendon Woods and Highbanks.
