Case Study:

Lights, Music & Action

A selection of engaging products
create a dream sensory experience

Line_1
Group_315

The Background

Katie Bier is the principal of Our Lady of Confidence,
a Pennsylvania K-12 school that services students with
intellectual disabilities, ASD and other special needs.
Katie contacted Fun and Function after being inspired
by an Instagram post depicting a beautiful sensory
space. She felt that fostering a creative, innovative,
and engaging environment through a dedicated
sensory room would be a perfect way to help meet
the needs of all her students.

Path_36

The Vision

A hybrid sensory space that would provide a calming
environment as well as a place to release extra energy.

Group_341

The Challenge

Because of the wide age range that the school serves,
the team had to make sure the colors and products
were appropriate for younger kids but mature enough
to appeal to older students as well.

Path_37
Group_342

Before

Image_of_room_-before_1
before_3_1

After

FunandFunction_50of136_1
FunandFunction_92of136_1
FunandFunction_55of136_1_1_
FunandFunction_51of136_1

The Process

Line_1

Step 1: Choosing the Sensory Tools

Katie was an educated consumer and came prepared with a list of products she felt would be helpful to her
students. She was also receptive to additional product recommendations by the Fun and Function designers,
making the process a mutually enjoyable experience.

FunandFunction_12of136_1
Line_4

Katie and the team selected a number of calming seating options
to help kids relax and unwind. The Fiber Optic Softie Beanbag
provides calming tactile and visual stimulation through its
irresistible fiber optic strands. Kids can also rest on the
SensaSoft™ Vibrochair, which provides soothing vibration
and music, allowing overstimulated kids to calm themselves.

Line_4

On the same wall sits the Fiber Optic Jellyfish, whose fiber optic “tentacles” give kids a chance to touch and manipulate while watching the colors change. The Custom Corner Bubble Tube Area is one of the highlights of the room, providing a full-blown sensory experience with soothing lights, more fiber optic strands, mirrors and a cozy padded base.

FunandFunction_123of136_1
FunandFunction_62of136_1
Line_4

The SensaSoft™ Playhouse is a fantastic calming corner
where kids can take a break from outside visual stimuli.
It’s also a fun place for imaginary play! The team placed
a mesmerizing LED Bubble Tube inside the playhouse as
an extra sensory element.

Line_4

Katie liked the idea of musical products that weren’t too
loud, so the team recommended the Sound Activated Light
Up Wall Panel. This unique tool encourages speech and
vocalization through sound activated lights! Kids can make
their own music and sound with the UV Musical Tactile Panel.
The Interactive Rainbow Panel helps calm over-responders with
a relaxing visual experience and interactive touchpad.

FunandFunction_41of136_3
Line_4

Jumping on the SensaSoft™ Platform Trampoline helps
kids develop gross motor skills, coordination and balance.
It’s also great for a quick brain break or as part of a sensory
diet. The Interactive Balance Beam is another gross motor
choice that encourages coordination and balance while
providing fun sounds with each step!

FunandFunction_114of136_1
Line_4

The team also made sure to recommend products that would
help kids release excess energy in a productive way, focusing
on choices that would appeal to the wide age range.

The SensaSoftTM Musical Hopscotch Pad provides a fantastic
interactive experience for kids of all ages by encouraging
movement with visual and auditory feedback. The LED Sensory
Roller Slide
 offers deep pressure and vestibular input as kids
roll down. It also strengthens gross motor skills
and improves body awareness.

Line_4
Group_345

Step 2: Design & Layout

Hybrid designs present a challenge when housed in smaller
Ispaces. In this case, the team chose to place most calming
Iproducts across one wall, while putting the gross motor
Iactivities in the center of the room, giving students ample
Ispace to move, jump and play!

Glickman
Glickman_4_
Glickman_1_
Glickman_3_
Group_361

The End Result

The teachers added sensory room time into their daily
schedules to allow the kids a chance to unwind and reset.
Students from all grades love visiting the sensory room,
and their teachers love the results!

Katie’s enthusiasm for the project is contagious. She shares
her feedback with parents too, giving them ideas for creating
their own sensory spaces at home!

 

Line_4
Group_349_1_

Case Study:

Lights, Music & Action

A selection of
engaging products create
a dream sensory experience

The Background

Katie Bier is the principal of Our Lady of Confidence, a Pennsylvania K-12 school that services students with intellectual disabilities, ASD and other special needs. Katie contacted Fun and Function after being inspired by an Instagram post depicting a beautiful sensory space. She felt that fostering a creative, innovative, and engaging environment through a dedicated sensory room would be a perfect way to help meet the needs of all her students..

Group_315

The Vision

A hybrid sensory space that would provide a calming environment as well as a place to release extra energy.

Group_341

The Challenge

Because of the wide age range that the school serves, the team had to make sure the colors and products were appropriate for younger kids but mature enough to appeal to older students as well.

Group_342

Before

Image_of_room_-before_1
before_3_1

After

FunandFunction_50of136_1
FunandFunction_92of136_1
FunandFunction_55of136_1
FunandFunction_51of136_1

The Process

Line_3_1

Step 1: Choosing the Sensory Tools

Katie was an educated consumer and came prepared with a list of products she felt would be helpful to her students. She was also receptive to additional product recommendations by the Fun and Function designers, making the process a mutually enjoyable experience.

FunandFunction_12of136_1
Line_4

Katie and the team selected a number of calming seating options to help kids relax and unwind. The Fiber Optic Softie Beanbag provides calming tactile and visual stimulation through its irresistible fiber optic strands. Kids can also rest on the SensaSoftTM Vibrocoustic Chair which provides soothing vibration and music, allowing overstimulated kids to calm themselves.

FunandFunction_123of136_1
Line_4

On the same wall sits the Fiber Optic Jellyfish, whose fiber optic “tentacles” give kids a chance to touch and manipulate while watching the colors change. The Custom Corner Bubble Tube Area is one of the highlights of the room, providing a full-blown sensory experience with soothing lights, more fiber optic strands, mirrors and a cozy padded base.

FunandFunction_62of136_1
Line_4

The SensaSoft™ Playhouse is a fantastic calming corner where kids can take a break from outside visual stimuli. It’s also a fun place for imaginary play! The team placed a mesmerizing LED Bubble Tube inside the playhouse as an extra sensory element.

FunandFunction_114of136_1
Line_4

Katie liked the idea of musical products that weren’t too loud, so the team recommended the Sound Activated Light Up Wall Panel. This unique tool encourages speech and vocalization through sound activated lights! Kids can make their own music and sound with the UV Musical Tactile Panel. The Interactive Rainbow Panel helps calm over-responders with a relaxing visual experience and interactive touchpad.

FunandFunction_41of136_3
Line_4

The team also made sure to recommend products that would help kids release excess energy in a productive way, focusing on choices that would appeal to the wide age range.

The SensaSoftTM Musical Hopscotch Pad provides a fantastic interactive experience for kids of all ages by encouraging movement with visual and auditory feedback. The LED Sensory Roller Slide offers deep pressure and vestibular input as kids roll down. It also strengthens gross motor skills and improves body awareness.

FunandFunction_85of136_1
Line_4

Jumping on the SensaSoft™ Platform Trampoline helps kids develop gross motor skills, coordination and balance. It’s also great for a quick brain break or as part of a sensory diet. The Interactive Balance Beam is another gross motor choice that encourages coordination and balance while providing fun sounds with each step!

SP7217_UV_musical_tactile_panel_1_1
Line_4
FunandFunction_65of136_1
Line_4
Line_3_1

Step 2: Design & Layout

Glickman
Glickman_1_
Glickman_4_
Glickman_3_
Group_365

The End Result

The teachers added sensory room time into their daily schedules to allow the kids a chance to unwind and reset. Students from all grades love visiting the sensory room, and their teachers love the results! Katie’s enthusiasm for the project is contagious.She shares her feedback with parents too, giving them ideas for creating their own sensory spaces at home!

 

Line_4