Rowan’s Room Middleton woman opening developmental care centre for children
Inspired by her five-year-old daughter, Elizabeth MasonSquires set out to create a new resource for children who aren’t quite ready for the traditional classroom setting.
Aptly named after MasonSquires’ muse, the Rowan’s Room Respite and Developmental Care Centre, is slated to open in September.
“It’s meant to be a bridge between public school, therapy and the house for any family who has a child with sensory needs, or autism or ADHD – anything along those lines that’s neurodevelopmental or intellectual in nature,” said Mason- Squires, who intends to have Rowan’s Room operating from her property in Middleton for now.
“( Rowan) is full of anxiety and her biggest obstacle seems to be sensory, and walking into a school is a big ball of sensory,” explained Mason- Squires, whose daughter has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD).
Mason- Squires has spent the last year working with a board of directors she selected to oversee the not- forprofit operation to develop a plan for programming. Two full-time staff have been hired, and more could be added to the mix if the demand calls for an expansion.
The centre will provide specialized programming that recognizes the individual needs of students with intellectual, cognitive or neurodevelopmental challenges, and even those without a diagnosis who still require additional support. Tuition Elizabeth Mason-Squires, pictured with Keith Squires and daughter Rowan, is preparing for the official opening of the Rowan’s Room Respite and Developmental Care Centre she founded with her five-year-old daughter in mind. The Middleton-based centre is scheduled to open in September. prices vary according to the programs selected.
“When I noticed that ( Rowan) wasn’t meeting milestones that would allow her to function in a typical school, I realized that I wanted to see if there were any programs out there that would help her alleviate some of her anxiety and self- manage some of her sensory challenges,” MasonSquires recalled.
“And there weren’t any.”
Creating a solution
Rowan’s Room will pair one teacher with small classes of up to three students for programs with educational components. The centre’s respite program will give the children ample opportunities to learn about appropriate play, socialization, life skills and physical activity.
The co- schooling/ respite program was designed to teach children who need additional support in mainstream classroom self- regulation techniques, while also encouraging students to discover the learning methods that work the best for them.
“We are going to be applying for designation as special education private school within the next two years, but we have to be in operation for at least one year before we do that,” said Mason- Squires.
The list of educational offerings includes a pre-primary/ primary transition program for children between the ages of three to six who are not enrolled in public school. The aim of the program is to provide children with such neurodevelopmental and cognitive needs as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder and anxiety with a calm learning environment built around evidence-based research. The children will be taught self-management techniques that will help them regulate their emotions both inside and outside of Rowan’s Room.
“We’re not the only people going through this,” said Mason- Squires. “Our ultimate goal is to be able to get these children to be able to thrive in a traditional public school setting and experience full inclusion.”
For those seeking one- onone respite services without an emphasis on academics, Rowan’s Room will run a before- and after- care program for individuals between the ages of three and 12.
Mason- Squires is eager to hear from prospective volunteers or board members interested in helping Rowan’s Room grow.
“This is an ‘ it takes a village approach’… to help support all of these kids,” she said.
For more information about Rowan’s Room, e- mail rowansroomrdc@gmail.com.