SOUND (Sensory Outreach Under Nurse Direction) will be a noticeable presence at the Jordan-Hare Football stadium this fall to help children and adults with emotional regulation challenges. The SOUND vehicle was donated by the Merrill Stewart Family and KultureCity (in Birmingham) in January 2023. The Sensory Activation Vehicle is designed to bring a mobile sensory experience to any event that lacks a physical space for a dedicated sensory room. The trailer ensures that all guests, who are overwhelmed by the noise and crowds, participate in sporting events in Auburn.
The first football game (between AU and UMass) saw several families express interest in the program. “We had five children with their families come by and utilize SOUND resources,” said Assistant Clinical Professor, Seth Perry. “Our goal is to market to the community so families with members that experience emotional regulation challenges are aware of the vehicle. Our desire is to make these families comfortable taking their family members to community events because they know there are inclusive facilities.”
The mobile sensory room has soft bean bag chairs, light displays, textured wall patterns, and air conditioning. SOUND will provide items to borrow including fidget and sensory toys, coloring sheets and crayons, noise-muffling headphones, the mobile sensory room, and qualified volunteers to help SOUND participants. Although a family may spend 5-10 minutes in the sensory room, if there is no pressing need, families are allowed to remain in the room for as long as they need. Many parents thanked nursing faculty and students for making the (sensory) trailer part of their game day experience!
“The most popular resource at the game was the sensory room,” said Perry. “Several families remarked that it was a great place to cool down, relax, and re-regulate their emotions and senses. Several of the kids enjoyed coloring with noise-muffling headphones on to block out the sound from the stadium.”
According to Perry, children with emotional and sensory regulation challenges are at a higher risk for abuse and neglect. “In October, sponsored by the Children's Trust Fund, we will be able to incorporate and promote resources for families to decrease the risk for child abuse in our community,” he added.
“Earlier this year, the SOUND vehicle was at several community events such as Smith’s Station Special Olympic event and at Pride on the Plains,” said Dr. Morgan Yordy, who developed the idea of a sensory activation vehicle along with Dr. Ann Lambert and student advisor Cassandra Jones. “This fall, the program will partner with local elementary schools to educate about SOUND.
“In alignment with Auburn University and Auburn University College of Nursing, we are committed to serving others in our local community and beyond,” said Dr. Linda Gibson-Young, outreach coordinator for AUCON. “I see SOUND as a primary way to meet the needs of individuals with sensory needs,” she added.
