SensationALL Cupcakes!
Baking is a great activity to keep you occupied and the end result is a tasty treat!
Here is the step by step guide to make our easy and yummy SensationALL cupcakes…
Here for you remotely!
Even though we have taken the difficult decision to suspend our groups and services, our SensationALL team are still here to support you remotely during the ongoing CoronaVirus pandemic.
Tell us what you want to see… we’re open to suggestions and your stories too! We’ll share our tips and resources every week but we’d also love to hear what works for your family so we can share it with the whole SensationALL network.
We’ll get through it by supporting each other!
email info@sensationall.org.uk
Explaining CoronaVirus
At SensationALL, we want to support parents/carers by sharing useful information and resources during this unsettling time of social distancing and self-isolation.
The outbreak of CoronaVirus is confusing and worrying for everyone, but the change in routine will be particularly upsetting for children and individuals with learning disabilities or support needs. So it’s important that we talk to them openly without terrifying them!
As you probably already know, Covid-19, is a respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus. Symptoms are a fever and/or a dry, persistent (ongoing) cough.
In some people it can lead to shortness of breath and extreme cases may need hospital treatment.
If you show any of these symptoms, government advice is to stay at home for 7 days and for your entire household to self-isolate for 14 days.
Top tips:
Here are our suggestions of how to discuss the virus:
- keep it simple (avoid too much detail or speculation)
- stay positive – keep your voice light and upbeat – children will mirror your behaviour
- give practical solutions – hand washing and tissue use are things they can control – you can even turn it into a game
- end on a positive note – move onto a topic that is normal or fun for them so they don’t dwell on the virus information
Downloadable resources:
Check out the below guides and social stories that explain CoronaVirus and it’s implications in a simple, calming way:
Share your ideas with us
Whilst our normal SensationALL groups are suspended, we can still support you remotely, so feel free to contact us by phone or email for any advice or support. We also want you to tell us what resources/activities you’d like us to share – comment below or email us.
Plus, you can follow our social media channels and check the website for useful videos and posts about activities to do with your children at home during the school closures.
How to have a SensationALL summer!
The school summer holidays are long awaited by parents and children alike, but a few weeks in and they can seem never ending! If you’re running out of ideas of what to do to entertain your kids then we are here to help.
Dealing with routine change
For children with support needs the holidays not only means a huge change to routine but also warmer weather resulting in wearing different clothes, putting on suncream, glare of the sun etc. all of which can be challenging for people with conditions such as Autism.
Here are our SensationALL tips and suggestions to tackle any challenges you may be having…
- Use a social story to explain why summer items like sun cream are required. When applying sun cream start with less sensitive areas such as arms and leave the face until last. Try turning it into a game where they ‘paint’ their skin with the suncream.
- Put Winter clothes away out of sight if you can and make Summer clothes the only available choice to minimise confrontation about what to wear.
- Use timetables to provide an awareness of what they will be doing that day. Add pictures of their choices to their timetable.
- Offer a limited choice of activities maybe printing a picture of two options that you know you are able to do and let them to choose.
- Find quieter times to go out to activities such as sessions specifically for people with additional support needs or times of the day that are quieter
- Have ear defenders available at noisier times
- Introduce a visual countdown of how many sleeps there are left until school; if you feel the person would find this helpful
Activity Ideas
Run out of parks to go to and picnics to have??
It can be hard to keep coming up with things to do with that will entertain the kids and not cost a fortune. Here are fab sensory activities we use at SensationALL that you can do at home:
Cornflour Putty – this has a melting texture which can be relaxing to feel and is great fun to make and play with:
– mix 2 cups of cornflour and 1 cup of conditioner until a dough is formed
Sensory Shaving Foam Bag – once made this bag can be taken out with you and used on-the-go as a calming sensory tool:
– Take a zip lock bag and fill with shaving foam – Add a squeeze of two colours of paint – seal the bag and press to mix.
Relaxation Glitter Bottle – a brilliant sensory toy: – Using a clean, clear plastic bottle (with screw top lid) add warm water, clear glue and glitter to create relaxing shaker.
We hope you all have a wonderful summer and look forward to seeing you for the new term starting from 19th August!
The SensationALL team x
Community Asset Transfer Success!
We are delighted to announce that Aberdeenshire Council have granted a Community Asset Transfer of the historic Old Schoolhouse to SensationALL, in a deal which marks the culmination of many years of effort.
The terms of the transfer – Aberdeenshire Council’s biggest to date – will provides us with a stable and secure base where we can continue to deliver services which are invaluable to families living with complex conditions such as autism, learning disabilities and neurological conditions.
Our Chair of the Board of Trustees, Bob McCracken said:
“This is a magnificent step forward for the charity, which provides it with a stable foundation on which to build and flourish. I would like to thank Aberdeenshire Council, the local Councillors, the local Community and the Trustees – past and present – for their support and hard work which has resulted in the charity being given this wonderful opportunity.”
Aberdeenshire Council’s transfer means we can now begin work on expanding the services we offer. Suz Strachan, Service Manager and co-founder of SensationALL said:
“This is an exciting and bold move for SensationALL. Taking over the long-term lease of the building presents a fantastic opportunity for us to develop our services and facilities as never before. Our future really is now in our own hands.”
As Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Garioch Area Committee, Cllr Fergus Hood added:
“We are so pleased to see this coming together for the benefit of the local community and to support the incredibly important work SensationALL do with some of our most vulnerable residents. We are committed to empowering communities to create their own success stories through community asset transfer projects and this is absolutely one of them.”
There are exciting plans in store for both SensationALL and the Old Schoolhouse as we work towards realising our charitable vision of creating a flagship service for individuals with support needs & disabilities in a state-of-the-art facility.
Follow our progress on social media
SensationALL support for girls
This Autism Awareness Week (1st-7th April 2019) we are highlighting the positive impact SensationALL’s groups have on individuals with multiple support needs. In particular, we want to shout about the work we do with young girls who are pre or post diagnosis…
SensationALL Girl’s Group
It’s well documented that it is much harder to diagnose Autism in girls so, at SensationALL we made it our aim to ensure that no young girls with suspected support needs are left in “limbo land” whilst seeking a diagnosis.
Our Girl’s Group programme was created for the growing number of young girls who need our help to address difficulties with anxiety, social interaction, communication and building relationships.
Our team of practitioners have designed each session to include topical discussions and practical tasks that are fun, whilst teaching invaluable de-stressing and coping strategies. Each week they use expressive materials to practice and reflect on their new skills.
The girls are encouraged to build friendships and work together which improves their confidence and boosts self-esteem.
We are here for you! If you are a parent of a girl with Autism or suspected support needs who is over-
whelmed and struggling with life at school or home. SensationALL is a safe place where your daughter can be herself.
The next block of Girl’s Group starts on 23rd April. Contact us to express an interest!
And check out this fantastic video from Carrie Grant who is a mum to children with Autism – its brilliant to hear girls’ perspectives…
Make your own ‘SensationALL’ sensory story
To celebrate World Book Day (Thursday 7th March) we thought we’d share with you our top tips for making a DIY sensory story!
The benefits of sensory stories for individuals with multiple support needs are endless – they help capture their imagination, introduce new sensory experiences, develop language and social interaction. That’s why we use them in many of our groups here at SensationALL, for both children and adults.
To make your own sensory story at home follow these simple steps:
- Choose a book, story or theme that you like
- Keep it brief – shorten the story and simplify if necessary
- Keywords – think about who/what/where/doing words
- Use props – think about turning the key words into physical objects – things to touch and smell
- Noise – use sounds as much as possible such as songs and clapping. Actions and Makaton signs are also really useful
- Be imaginative – don’t worry if your prop isn’t literal, be inventive and creative
- Have fun! Most important thing is to enjoy the journey the story takes you on
Here are some of the items we used in recent sensory stories…
Why SensationALL use Sensory Stories…
Our innovative SensationALL service team are always thinking of new activities to incorporate into our sessions as it’s really important to us that all users get the most out of attending (no matter how complex their needs).
SensationALL services are for children and adults with multiple support needs and sensory impairments so we use a variety of multi-sensory materials and activities that stimulate and engage and recently sensory stories have become a significant part of what we do.
A Magic Carpet Journey!
Sensory stories are a key feature of our new Midweek Mayhem adult sessions. Each week we will be going on a ‘Magic Carpet journey’ – using our senses to explore the place we ‘visit’.
By using interactive elements during story-telling (sights, sounds, touch and scents) we take the group on a virtual journey. Using their creativity, our staff come up with a variety of materials relating to the chosen story and while reading it, offer everyone the chance to interact by touching, smelling, seeing and hearing. This hugely beneficial for the service users as they are actively involved with the story rather than simply listening as they may have difficulty following or understanding the spoken words.
Last week we visited an Arabian Bazar…
To set the scene we had a background image and music from an Arabian market on the smart board. Our story took us through Egypt, where we encountered snakes, camels and belly dancers! We used materials to look, listen, feel and smell during each part of the story as an interactive experience. The textures of sand and jewelled jelly and the smell of mixed spices encouraged them to explore and try new experiences.
Our Arabian journey was a huge success:
“It’s great to see him engage so well!” service user’s carer
We can’t wait for our next magic carpet ride to China to celebrate Chinese New Year! If you want to join us, our service diary has more information on whats on at the Old Schoolhouse this term.
SensationALL top tips for Christmas
For most people Christmas is an exciting time but it usually means a change in routine which, for families with multiple support needs (MSN) can be upsetting and disruptive. Not to mention all the additional sensory experiences such as Christmas lights, music and scents which can be overwhelming.
To help our MSN families, the SensationALL team have shared some top tips to make Christmas a fun experience for everyone:
- CALENDAR – mark off days with no school or other meaningful words or symbols. Highlight Christmas day and first day back to school.
- Use a SCHEDULE or checklist to indicate what activities will be completed during the day. Use visuals/symbols to suit individual communication.
- Plan activities for ENERGY BURNING such as a trip to the park on the swings, inclusive sessions at trampoline park or soft play. Or play indoor games such as hide and seek or a treasure hunt.
- Build in BREAK TIMES to help with relaxation as well, have a quiet space away from the overwhelming aspects of Christmas. This could be a space with no music and low lighting such as a tent or den in quiet space in the house. Or use relaxation music and calming scents like lavender. You could also use deep pressure such as massage or heavy blankets as a calming strategy.
- Have your OWN VERSION OF CHRISTMAS – do whatever works best for you, don’t feel you have to conform to tradition or what everyone else is doing! If your child doesn’t want too many presents keep them for the days following Christmas or if they don’t want presents wrapped maybe just use a gift bag. Have what you want for dinner or what you know your person with MSN will eat. Try having a taster of the Christmas meal on small plates to try to reduce stress over different/new foods and textures.
- Take CALMING RESOURCES such as noise cancelling headphones with or without music or distraction aids such as fidget spinners or bubbles. You may have to allow for a reduced level of tolerance of new, challenging or sensory demanding situations. Some of strategies from our Chill-oot! and Girl’s Groups are perfect e.g. glitter sensory bottles are a fantastic coping tool to support emotional regulation. To make these simply add glue and glitter with warm water to a clear plastic bottle; watch as the glitter slowly swirls with the water. Other great ideas for easy to make coping strategies can be found on Pinterest.
- SENSORY STORIES – A Christmas themed social story can help to explain the festive season – you can even write your own personalised story, check out this useful guide.
We also can’t forget that this time of year can be equally challenging for siblings as they may have to modify their own excitement or even make sacrifices to suit their siblings with MSN. However, there are simple things you can do to make sure they don’t miss out on the festive feeling; watch a Christmas movie together, do some Christmas baking, have a Christmas shopping trip – most importantly plan some 1-to-1 time for them with a parent. A present or specially created message from their sibling might be appreciated too.
Here are some useful visuals which can be used in the techniques above, as well as December and January calendar sheets for printing to stick the symbols on.
We hope you all have a relaxed, magical time this Christmas!
SensationALL and Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving, after Black Friday and Cyber Monday it is a day to give back and do good. At SensationALL we love the idea and thought it was the perfect opportunity to shout about the ways you can support our charity.
SensationALL are dedicated to providing outstanding therapeutic services for individuals with support needs and their families however, we simply couldn’t operate without help from our volunteers, supporters and local community! We rely on our volunteers giving their time to our users during services , fundraising committee giving their time at events, we rely on corporate supporters giving donations and raffle prizes.
We have just launched our Christmas Card Campaign 2018 when we’re asking people to donate instead of sending cards this year. One of our parents was the first to sign up because of the experiences she’s had at SensationALL:
“SensationALL has provided an exemplary location for our son to feel at ease, the staff and other families provided a welcoming respite in a demanding world. Every £1 here makes a real impact!”
Here are some other ways you can give to SensationALL.
- Volunteer at upcoming events (SensationALL Ceilidh, Friday 30th November, Winter Wonderland, Saturday 08th December)
- Donations for our Winter Wonderland fayre – Chocolate, Home baking (drop off at the Old Schoolhouse by 06th and 07th December) and bottles for the bottle stall.
- Fundraise for SensationALL – we’ve got places at Run Balmoral and Ride the North 2019 or organise your own fundraiser doing whatever you like!
If you want to give some time to SensationALL in any shape, we’d love to hear from you – email volunteering@sensationall.org.uk #SensationALL
Check out what the SensationALL team do here.
