Children with conditions such as autism and sensory processing disorders can benefit from working with an occupational therapist in a sensory gym—as can children of all abilities. There are several sensory gyms in Central New Jersey. What is a sensory gym, and should you consider one for your child?
“Sensory gyms are safe, structured settings where children enjoy guided play that promotes cognitive-behavioral, social skills and enhances motor development,” said Yevgeniya Peskova, an Occupational Therapist TOTville in Manalapan, NJ.
Equipment in the gym can include everything from swings to climbing walls, and is designed to provide proprioceptive and vestibular sensory input.
Why All Kids Can Benefit from Sensory Gyms
Children of all ages and abilities can benefit from sensory gyms, Peskova said.
Tracy Garguilo, an Occupational Therapist and Co-Owner at Shore Kids Pediatric Therapies in Oceanport, NJ, typically sees children as young as one year of age along with school-aged children up to 16 years old who benefit from sensory gyms.
“In the world today children are moving less in school and at home,” said Garguilo. Unless a child is involved in an extracurricular activity, they may not be moving and exploring their environment enough.
Movement has been proven to increase attention, focus and body awareness just to name a few, Garguilo said. “All children can benefit from improving these skills,” she added.
Peskova’s gym offers open play session for children of all abilities.
“Occupational therapy is not just for kids with deficits,” Peskova noted. Therapy can inspire the child and help develop new skills. It can also aid in boosting focus, coordination, posture, feeding, sleeping, speech, social interaction, and more.
Sensory Gyms for Special Needs
Occupational therapy and sensory integrative therapy in a sensory gym can help kids with challenges including autism, down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, fine and gross motor delays, and more. It gives children who have sensitivities to sensory input a safe space where the OT can intervene taking into account the child’s specific needs. For example, the noise in the child’s classroom that causes a sensitivity can be explored with a one-on-one approach in the sensory gym that the child may not receive in school. This helps the child become more fully involved in everyday activities.
Working in a sensory gym can also help improve a child’s overall endurance and stamina, Garguilo added.
“Due to more sedentary play we are seeing strength, endurance and stamina decreasing in typically developing children and children with disabilities,” she said.
Additionally, many children have a difficult time with emotional regulation throughout the day. A trained therapist can work with both a child and his or her family to assist with overall regulation through a sensory integrative approach. Sometimes the items needed to do that can only be found in a sensory gym.
“Our therapists use different kinds of swings, balls, crash pads, air mats, zip lines, rock walls, monkey bars, scooter ramps, handwriting programs, ocular motor programs, brushing programs, sensory programs and therapeutic listening programs in order to improve our client’s skills,” Garguilo said.
Choosing a Sensory Gym
Considering occupational therapy or sensory gym sessions, or both?
Garguilo said to select a therapist who is knowledgeable about what your child is dealing with, and who takes the time to teach you tools you can use at home.
“A good therapist will educate you on what they are doing and how it will benefit your child,” she explained.
Make sure the therapist is trained and certified, and look for a gym with clean, up-to-date equipment, Peskova said. Some gyms have open play sessions available for children of all abilities.
“The facility should be a nurturing and a fun environment for all children to flourish in,” Garguilo said.
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