Oct 16, 2018, Maitland Mercury: Thornton Public School sensory room a hit with children and parents https://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/5705699/sensory-room-a-comfortable-space-for-children/ Thornton Public School improved its already safe and inclusive environment with the opening of a sensory room on Monday. The room, built to assist children living with disabilities and additional needs, has elements at different levels for students who like to climb, tactile objects and furnishing for students who enjoy sensory play, bubble tubes to create a calming effect and build on students’ visual development, and lights that give a calming sensation to help with anxieties. Assistant principal Petra Yager said the room was a permanent addition, with the school now looking for further development to the sensory playground. “When designing the room, teachers took into account the complex and diverse needs of the students,” she said. “It was designed to help students – who may have emotional issues, learning difficulties, developmental disabilities or sensory impairments – learn to interact with the world around them, in a safe environment that builds up their confidence and ability. …
Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.