Karen Pool of TFH USA/ www.specialneedstoys.com did a great job walking us through the benefits of providing a space that meets a child’s sensory needs. These environments can be created for the purposes of (1) relaxing or calming a child; (2) helping a child be interactive; (3) meeting a child’s needs for gross motor play. Attached here is the powerpoint of Karen’s presentation. The photographs are incredible: Karen Pool – MSE Presentation Orange Conference 2012
Karen pointed out that the components of an effective MSE include (first 3 are most important):
- Bubble Columns
- Effects Projector (projects moving visual images)
- Fiber Optpics
- Aromatherapy & Music
- Mirror Balls
- Sound Sensitive
- Positioning/Resonance/Waterbeds
- Tactile Walls
- Ball Pools
- Gross Motor (cubes, slides, tunnels, ssteps, wall & floor pads)
- Vestibular (swings, leaf chairs)
We talked about the importance of purchasing and installing high quality products. If a child were to get hurt on a homemade piece of equipment or something that was installed improperly, the church can be exposed to unnecessarily liability. All products manufactured, distributed and installed by TFH USA/www.specialneedstoys.com go through a rigorous testing and are warrantied at a higher level.
Karen provided each participant a copy of TFH’s 212 Special Needs Toys Catalog, which is an incredible resource. Each page explains the purpose and applications for products, many of which can be used in a special needs ministry setting. Karen specifically discussed several products featured in the catalog and Meaghan Wall also shared some favorite products during her workshop “How to Create a Special Needs Ministry Environment.“
TFH-USA: 1-800-467-6222
info@tfhusa.com
