Kat Power, Teena Power, Sandee Detweiler, Sean Smith, Barb Frahm and Janelle Jones

Powers and her colleagues’ innovative teaching idea, “Multi-Sensory Room,” is designed to create a stimulating, yet calming atmosphere that will serve students with autism and severe needs and help them regulate their nervous systems so they can refocus and are ready to learn. The different classes that will be using the room have students with varying needs and therefore, the multi-sensory room will be "stocked" with a large variety of sensory items. Through the design and the materials within it, the students with challenging behaviors, aggression and varying physical, cognitive and emotional needs, will benefit from the experience and will be able to calm down in a safe and secure environment. This in turn will also keep other students and staff safe. The team hopes that by having the students use this room, they will learn to regulate their emotions and behaviors and will have a better chance of having a worthwhile and meaningful future.