With focus being placed in the special education programs at Elizabethton High School, the administration received a welcome surprise visit Thursday afternoon.
Thomas Davis and Amy Pate with Edward Jones Investments in Elizabethton stopped by the school to provide different items for the ever spanning special education department. The day also marked the beginning of the school’s first-ever sensory room.
“It’s awesome as always,” Davis said about bringing the items to the school. “There’s a lot of needs in the community and I’m always happy to find them out and help support them.”
Students will have some extra fun moving forward with the items provided. Tools provided included a swing and chair to help calm an individual down, along with stress balls and pieces for sensory tubes.
Special education instructor Forrest Holt added that along with Davis’ donation, the program has received donations from parents for sensory tools and he also credited the administration, along with Elizabethton City Schools Superintendent Dr. Corey Gardenhour for the padding and flooring that was put in place inside the sensory room.
“As of today,” Holt said with a smile when asked about the sensory room’s opening. “That’s how long it’s been. We only had one classroom last year but this past summer, I acquired this adjoining room. So we now have two rooms since we’ve been growing … we have 19 students and so many adults, we have already 30 people in here at a time. With an individual having autism or an anxiety disorder, we really needed a space to be effective for the students and have a sensory room. Moving forward, with the help of administration, Dr. Gardenhour, members of the community like Thomas Davis, we’re able to make this happen.”
In an article available on disabilityscoop.com written by Deena Yellin, the concept of a room is based on a 1970s Dutch philosophy called “Snoezelen,” a blend of two Dutch words meaning explore and relax. The idea of a room is used for a broad generalization that need calming methods or may have special needs, including dementia, autism and brain injuries.
“The idea behind the sensory room is to have places and items that make you feel safe or calm you down,” Davis said. “Most of these items here today do that. There’s all kinds of items to help someone refocus from something that may be causing them anxiousness and allow them to play. Overall, the idea is that if a student gets overwhelmed or anxious, these tools will allow them to calm back down and refocus.”
Holt seconded the sentiment by Davis.
“There’s so many things that affect them throughout their everyday school life that most people don’t think about or don’t have to deal with,” Holt said. “Something like anxiety, or being unable to express themselves or verbalize. Being able to have some sensory input and some calm space. Like Mr. Davis was saying, this is a perfect way for them to calm down, refocus and be ready for everyday activities.
“Just the fact we have people in our community that are willing to help our kids is amazing,” he continued. “A day like today is awesome to see how the kids enjoy new items and how much they will be used for the school system.”
And don’t expect Elizabethton to be the only school within the city to have a room, with future expansions pegged at other locations.
Davis, who delves into different projects within the community, added that he will be working alongside the school system on a sensory garden, a garden that is made to be enjoyable for individuals with and without special needs.
Anyone looking to donate to the garden can either contact Davis’ Edward Jones’ office, located at 305 Lawson Ave., Suite 2, in Elizabethton, or call 423-543-2018.