SaskAbilities has developed a first for Yorkton, with the new Sensory Gym giving something that has not been seen in the city before. The gym, which had its grand opening on Mar. 11, gives opportunity for sensory input and/or output for individuals who have difficulty staying focused or self-regulating.
Jackie Washenfelder, Quality of Life senior supervisor at SaskAbilities, said it was a lengthy process to get the gym in place. Beyond renovating the space, the team also did research and a partnership with occupational therapist Louise Burridge from Outcomes Therapy in Regina. They took the process slowly to ensure safety.
But what is a sensory gym?
“We are offering a safe, supportive environment for people who experience disability – children, youth and adults – to come and explore their bodies, explore their senses in a safe place. Sometimes people who experience disability have problems or have a hard time regulating in different areas. Maybe it might be too loud, lights might be too bright, too many people,” said Washenfelder.
“So, this is an environment that is supportive. It’s structured where people can explore their senses and get some input s they can regulate themselves, which means they can be calm and be safe and have a good day.”
Equipment includes a frame for a theraputic swing, which helps people who have problems with proprioception, or a sense of where their body is in space. There are weighted balls and exercise balls as well, and while those are standard gym equipment, the therapies on offer at the gym are what give the different sensory experiences. Music therapy is also involved, with different drums and a gong.
As adults, we can understand the theraputic benefits to the activities that the gym offers, but they’re also fun activities. Washenfelder notes that the fun is part of the therapy.
“It’s really hard to wait your turn to throw the fun ball! So we talked about that, some of these children have a hard time to wait, but that’s part of actually regulating yourself, right? You have to be able to wait your turn. That’s the whole thing, incorporating fun, but sneaking in activities that are actually really good for them."
While it has taken a long time for the gym to get in place, Washenfelder said the most exciting part will be inviting the community into the facility.
“Sometimes people have difficulties finding their place in society if they have experienced disability. Having a place, a sense of belonging, a place of inclusion where people can come and meet each other and find their best selves, and create those friendships and those bonds. Caregivers and family members can get in and feel good about offering activity to their child who might not fit into the typical box of a dance class, hockey or that kind of thing. Then, maybe, once we can get ourselves regulated and explore our senses and our physicality, we could integrate down the road more easily into some of those more typical things.”
