CASE STUDY
Order in the Court
A calming space for kids in crisis
Start My Sensory SpaceStart My Sensory Space
The Background
NOLA Family Courthouse in Covington, LA services children and adolescents who come from challenging and often traumatic backgrounds. In recent years, the state recognizedthe need for trauma-informed services and focused on establishing safe settings that provide kids and families with a sense of security. The staff at NOLA reached out to Fun and Function to create a calming sensory space so kids can remain calm and engaged while waiting for hearings.
The Vision
To create a calming space within the courthouse where kids (many of whom are in the foster care system) can feel safe and secure despite the stressful environment and circumstances they find themselves in.
The Challenge
The Fun and Function team had to strategically make the best use of the small space - less than 150 square feet - allocated by the courthouse. In addition, many other courthouses interested in implementing their own sensory rooms were following the project, to see if it would prove successful. The pressure was on!
BeforeAfter
BeforeAfter
The Process
Step 1: Choosing the Sensory Tools
To create a secure and calming environment, the Sensory Room Design team at Fun and Function focused on products that wouldn’t overstimulate the kids.
Calming Pressure for Unwinding
The team chose several seating options that provide soothing sensory input. The SensaSoft™ Vibrochair acts like a gentle massage, creating the perfect seat for kids to chill out and unwind. The Cozy Canoe provides deep pressure, making kids feel as though they are receiving a gentle hug. The Beanbag Chairs are great for reading, playing or just relaxing. The SensaSoft™ Squeezie Seat applies gentle calming pressure.
Calming Pressure for Unwinding
The team chose several seating options that provide soothing sensory input. The SensaSoft™ Vibrochair acts like a gentle massage, creating the perfect seat for kids to chill out and unwind. The Cozy Canoe provides deep pressure, making kids feel as though they are receiving a gentle hug. The Beanbag Chairs are great for reading, playing or just relaxing. The SensaSoft™ Squeezie Seat applies gentle calming pressure.
Soothing Colors and Lights
The team added soothing visual elements as well. The Waterless LED Color Column is effective for calming anxious kids as they watch the colors change. The shatterproof SensaSoft™ Curved Mirrors with their cushioned frames are a great addition to the room, augmenting the visual effects of the light tube. Kids can manipulate the strands of the calming Fiber Optic Lights and even wrap themselves in them. Gel Floor Tiles offer visual input as kids mush and squish the colorful tiles.
Soothing Colors and Lights
The team added soothing visual elements as well. The Waterless LED Color Column is effective for calming anxious kids as they watch the colors change. The shatterproof SensaSoft™ Curved Mirrors with their cushioned frames are a great addition to the room, augmenting the visual effects of the light tube. Kids can manipulate the strands of the calming Fiber Optic Lights and even wrap themselves in them. Gel Floor Tiles offer visual input as kids mush and squish the colorful tiles.
Comforting Sensory Input
The Weighted Disc Blanket provides proprioceptive input for a grounding effect that helps kids calm and focus. It’s perfect for shared use as it’s easy to wipe clean!
Comforting Sensory Input
The Weighted Disc Blanket provides proprioceptive input for a grounding effect that helps kids calm and focus. It’s perfect for shared use as it’s easy to wipe clean!
Relax & Regulate
When kids sit in the SensaSoft Squeezie Seat it provides deep pressure to help them regulate. Our visitors adore sinking into the Gumdrop Bean Bag with its soft, cushiony feel for comfortable, grounding sensory support.
Calm & Engagement
To support relaxation and regulation, we added seating options that cater to different sensory needs and preferences. Kids can sit on the SensaSoft Squeezie Seat by straddling the sides, providing deep pressure input through their trunk or they can turn it sideways for a sturdy seat on the ground. Our visitors adore sinking into the Gumdrop Bean Bag with its soft, cushiony feel for comfortable, grounding sensory support.
These sensory tools create a nurturing environment where kids can relax, explore and unwind in the way that works best for them.
Step 2: The Design Process
The small space proved to be advantageous given NOLA’s limited budget. With several larger items and carefully selected accessories, the room felt very rich and full, with a variety of calming tools throughout.
The End Result
Everyone loves the room when they get to see it!
- Sensory trailer visitor
Fun and Function team successfully managed to turn the small 150 square foot space into a beautiful calming room that will aid kids and adolescents during a stressful time in their lives.
Ashley Gali, CASA Program Director at the courthouse recommended Fun and Functions services to other CASA programs throughout the country.
She states: “Oftentimes those [children] who are visibly nervous will stay in the sensory room and immediately begin to relax and open up. The Judge hearing the cases has found the room helpful to visit with the children and their attorney, allowing them a safe space to speak…about their case.”
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