Crown Point unveils Mobile Sensory Hub
From parades to county fairs, Crown Point Fire Capt. Matt Kodicek knows what it's like being a parent of a child who can get overwhelmed in those circumstances, which inspired him to help create a refuge in the midst of sensory overload.
'My son is the 'why' for how this came about,' Kodicek said. 'We wanted to create a place for parents to go to with their child that's not just a play area, but a safe place that's calm, educational and relaxing. A place where they can hopefully reset and then be able to go out and enjoy the rest of their day.'
The City of Crown Point opened the doors of its brand new Mobile Sensory Hub for the first time during The Taste of Crown Point, offering a climate-controlled 300-square-foot mobile trailer that functions as a calming center for anyone who may experience sensory overload, PTSD and other stressors during public events.
'This is the first mobile sensory hub of its kind in Chicagoland,' Kodicek said. 'There are maybe a handful of them in the country, but this is unique in its larger size and its construction.'
The climate-controlled hub includes calming activities for children and adults such as tap lights; a light-up bubble wall; a gear wall; an interactive smartboard; busy boards; a train station; headphones; and fidget and tactile toys. There's also a soundproof dark room with bean bag chairs and a motion light that simulates a starry sky.
Kodicek explained that he wanted to find a way to help his 11-year-old son Ben, who has autism, to be able to enjoy family outings. After learning about sensory hubs, Kodicek reached out to others in the city to help bring one to Crown Point.
'The feedback has been really positive,' Kodicek said. 'We had it in the Fourth of July parade and everyone was curious about it. … To see it come from an idea and now to fruition has been awesome — It was a community project and a lot of people came together to make it a reality.'
Kodicek is far from being alone as a parent. About 1 in 31 children aged 8 years has been identified as being on the autism spectrum, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Furthermore, about 1 in 6 children who were 3 to 17 years old were diagnosed with a developmental disability during a study period of 2009–2017. The Autism Research Society lists sensory activities and the use of a quiet room as proven techniques to help someone reach a state of calm when they are experiencing a nervous system overload.
When Justin Gattler, a Crown Point firefighter and paramedic, took his children to check out the Mobile Sensory Hub, they immediately rushed in and started exploring the activities inside.
'I have two kids with special needs and as a family, going to a large event can be challenging,' Gattler said. 'It can go from them feeling overwhelmed to a meltdown, and then you have a child who might be screaming and kicking in a public event. But now with this, if you go to an event and a loved one needs a break, you have a place to go. Having 10 or 15 minutes of quiet space gives them that break they need from the large crowds or the loud noises and music.'
PACE Director Adam Graper worked with Kodicek to develop and fundraise for the hub and spread awareness.
'There were people of all walks of life, from carpenters to public works employees to local business owners, who helped make it happen,' Graper said. '… the level of detail and work that went into it is awesome.'
The Multi-Agency Academic Cooperative in Valparaiso donated the trailer and a $20,000 donation bolstered beginning efforts. Individuals and local businesses became involved and donated money and equipment. VKF Renzel USA Corp in Crown Point created custom bubble wall panels and activity boards designed to look like police cars and fire trucks and the Indiana Wrap Company created the exterior blue design.Crown Point Public Works and Crown Point Fire Department have spent more than 600 hours on the unit.
Mary Freda-Flores, City of Crown Point communications director, said the Mobile Sensory Hub is going to become a new staple among the city's many yearly traditions.
'This is such a great amenity for the city and the Northwest Indiana community,' Freda-Flores said. 'It's nice to have a place where people can take a break from community events and recharge. This is the first mobile sensory hub in the area that we are aware of, and it's going to be at all big city events, from the Lake County Fair to Oktoberfest.'
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