Church unveils three new sensory rooms
Special needs kids, families benefit
Getwell Road UMC in Southaven is now home to three new Sensory Rooms, making it the only church in the Desoto County area to have this kind of customized room for special needs kids and young adults.
A Sensory Room is a safe, comforting place for those with special needs who benefit from having a variety of activities that either stimulate their senses or provide a chance for calming during times of overstimulation. Getwell Road’s three new sensory rooms are designed for kids or young adults with specific ages in mind — the Nursery Room for children through age 4, the Children’s Ministry Sensory Room for children ages 5 through preteen and the Young Adult Sensory Room for kids in their teens and older.
Getwell Road Pastor Bill Beavers said that the rooms are a great benefit to the community and the church and something that has been needed in the Desoto County area for some time.
“Now that we have a dedicated sensory space for special needs kids and young adults here at Getwell Road, parents can take time during the week for spiritual refreshment and know that their child is well cared for, safe and happy during that time,” Beavers said. “Our church has ministered to families with special needs children for many years, but these rooms really increase our opportunity to reach out to the special needs community in Desoto County and the surrounding area and
provide something that further enhances their Sunday mornings.”
With the Nursery and Children’s Ministry rooms, parents can attend a class or worship service while entrusting their children to volunteers in the rooms who have a heart for special needs kids, including those with a variety of diagnoses such as the autism spectrum.
The Young Adult room is open during worship services so that parents and their teens can experience all or part of a service together as it is streamed over a television screen.
“The Young Adult Sensory Room is a great option for parents whose teenager or young adult is not comfortable sitting through an entire service in our Family Life Center and may need a place to go for additional stimulation or calming,” said Getwell Road Family ministry director Greg Meek.
“This removes some of the stress from parents who are concerned about being able to focus on the worship service — either for themselves or for those sitting around them.”