A play session
What happens in a play session
Fifty minutes, six steps, the same every week.
Children do better when they know what comes next. Every session follows the same order, and the room is set the same way. If your child needs a step to be longer, shorter or skipped, the clinician follows them, and you can read each step's sensory notes before you come.
The hour, step by step
Arrive and settle
Come in by the side door. Your child can keep shoes, coat and backpack on. A picture card on the wall shows what happens in the hour, and you are welcome to walk through it together.
Lamps and a dimmer, never the overhead lights
A quiet corner with a cushion stays open the whole hour
Fragrance-free room, wipes instead of strong soap
Meet the room
Your child looks, touches or stays by the door. The clinician sits on the floor, speaks softly and does not ask questions unless your child wants to talk.
No ticking clocks, wind chimes or bright posters
Textures on the shelves run from soft to rough, and none is required
Ear defenders and a soft lap pad sit within reach
Play, led by your child
The longest part of the hour. Your child chooses sand, blocks, paint, puppets or nothing at all. The clinician says what she sees, such as "You are building it very carefully," and does not direct the play.
Toys with sound have an off switch
Messy materials come with a basin, a towel and no hurry
Your child can stop any activity at any time
A pause, if your child wants one
Halfway through, the clinician offers a quiet break: water, a stretch, a look out the window or a few slow breaths. Your child can say no and keep playing.
The break is offered, never required
Water is in a cup of your child's choosing
A warning, then goodbye to the room
Ten minutes and five minutes before the end, your child sees a sand timer. Putting toys away is shared, or skipped, and a favorite toy can say goodbye.
A silent timer, never an alarm
The same goodbye to the room each week
A word with you
At the door, away from your child's earshot, the clinician shares what your child played in general terms and one small thing to try at home. Your child waits with a picture book or a snack from home.
The clinician crouches to your child's level to say goodbye, then steps away
A wave, a high five or no goodbye at all: your child chooses
Before you come
Sensory-friendly, in the details
Tell us what your child notices, and we will change the room before they arrive.
Lighting
Lamps and a dimmer. We turn off the hallway light if your child prefers.
Sound
A quiet room with a soft rug, and a white-noise machine we keep off unless asked.
Smell and touch
No scented products. Clothes can stay on, shoes can stay on and hands can stay clean.
Time
A picture card for the hour, a sand timer and the same order every week.
Space
A quiet corner, a door that stays open and a place to stand rather than sit.
Your own tools
Bring headphones, a blanket or a comfort object. They are welcome in the room.
Tell us what your child notices
Write to us before the first visit, and we will set the room for them.