Children with autism enjoy a day at the ballpark thanks to UNE Occupational Therapy students

University of New England Occupational Therapy students Yael Cadji, Kelsey Crowell and Heather Tondreau (MSOT, 2017) worked with Clinical Professor Kate Loukas, O.T.D., M.S., OTR/L, FAOTA, and first year students in the UNE Student OT Association (UNESOTA) to organize a sensory room at the Autism Awareness Portland Sea Dogs baseball game.

For children and adults with autism, attending a baseball game can be challenging because there is a lot of sensory stimulation and unpredictability involved in these events. Six years ago, Karleen Frost of the organization Embracing the World of Autism started the Autism Awareness Seadogs game, and Loukas has helped her to run the program ever since. It offers a sensory room that provides a space for those who need a break from the chaos of the game and stadium. The room includes equipment and activities designed to help children with autism self-regulate their nervous system.

“Creating a safe place for those with autism is important to the families, the community and the volunteers from UNE because it gives the children the opportunity to participate in a family event that may have otherwise not been an option” student volunteer Kelsey Crowell said.

Occupational therapists work with children and families with Autism to help regulate the nervous system and help ensure successful participation in meaningful activities. Many families avoid events such as baseball games because of concerns about how their child may react to all the stimulation. The sensory room allows children to attend and fully participate in the baseball game, with breaks as needed to self regulate their minds and bodies and prepare them to return to the stands.

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