SensoryAbled Kids, LLC: A Multi-Sensory Play and Learn Center
SensoryAbled Kids is a play and learn center in Virginia Beach offering Multi-sensory Play focused on children with sensory dysfunctions.
The founder of SensoryAbled Kids is Tashia Smith. She has a Masters in Clinical Social Work and was driven to open this center by her own experience with raising a son whom is on the autism spectrum and has his own unique sensory needs. While looking for a place for her son to meet his motor skill and socialization needs, she came across a sensory gym in Massachusetts started by autism moms. When
she realized there was nothing like that in the Hampton Roads area she became inspired to fill that need. After over a year of researching, securing funding and finding the right building, she quit her job and dove in head first. The target population is children with sensory processing disorders, autism and other related disorders, motor skill and social skill delays. Although, any and all children will always be welcome. The center offers a large open play area, which will have a large play unit. The pre-fabricated unit has a built-in climbing wall, rope wall, ring monkey bars, slide, ball pit, and multiple points for swing suspension. The unit is made of wood and metal, and covered with vinyl that wipes clean and holds up to 2 tons. It includes a air-lite seal bolster swing, cocoon swing, and platform swing. The center also has a calming sensory room complete with LED calming bubble tube, projector bundle with affect wheel and a fiber optic softie bean bag. There is an area for tactile play with tactile wall toys and kinetic sand. There is a reading room with a table, books, coloring books and several open ended building sets. It also features emotion putty, cozy canoe and sensory bins with water beads and small fidget toys. There is an arts and craft area with a large chalkboard painted on a 12x12 wall and includes chalk, markers, crayons, pom poms, foam beads and various other craft items. We also offer birthday parties, field trips and use of the space to professionals in the area such as occupational therapists, speech therapists and counselors.
