Have you seen that they've arranged a special 'Box' for a family from Sunderland who have a little boy with autism, at The Stadium This is absolutely brilliant, and something that should be 'shouted from the rooftops' Magic for this family, and others who have a need to use it Well done S.A.F.C.
Yeah as i sed on the previois post. Time for the lads to give their all to make this young lad very very happy when he attends the games
Fabulous facility and another part of our developing success - a top club has fans , club employees & players pulling together - we are getting a head of steam .... onwards & upwards together - KTF
Someone did a thread when it was announced. Glad the club has followed through and done it. Set loads of these rooms up my life. I'd love to see what they've done with it. All the rooms i've set up were set up for people on the severe end of autistic spectrum, who wouldn't be able to appreciate something like a live football match on any level, so would be real interesting to see it set up for conditions that aren't as severe.
Just looked at some pictures and not too impressed, all they show is a light/water feature, headphones/ear protectors and a leaflet stand. Hope there's more to it than that. They should be promoting it better like http://theshippeycampaign.com/about/
There doesn't seem to be much to it, Bri., but the main idea is for young Nathan, and his family, to be able to watch his team without being scared of the noise . . . . and they've 'delivered' perfectly The other parts, although important features, are secondary . . . . what S.A.F.C. have done is still fantastic and worthy of considerable recognition and praise They could be promoting it more, but maybe they don't want to 'blow their own trumpet' . . . . 'self praise is no praise' as 'they' say
But it's not just for him, his parents have done brilliant to get the facility in the SoL, though limited to availability, tickets are there for anyone who need the facility. The condition manifests in many ways, such light sensitivity, physical touch dependency ect, and are just as common as noise sensitivity. It could well cater for that though. My point is the more the promotion. It's not clear what's actually on offer and having trouble finding a list. Really interested to know and don't want to knock the facility for not covering it's angles when it could well have. Take the window they view the match through. It should have an adjustable tint for Autism sufferers with light sensitivity to deal with the floodlights. The window sill to that window in which the users lean against and touch during the match, should be made up of materials of different temperature and textures. There should be an instant black out function to withdraw all stimulus in an instant. There should be scent machines too. Like I said, they may have these things but they need to be shouting it from the roof tops. It's a condition on a spectrum which carries lots individual needs. Many of which differ massively from Nathan's needs despite sharing the same condition. Reading it it seems mainly focused on noice reduction but autism can affect all the senses depending on the sufferer. Sounds a great idea for a facility, just hope it caters for all Autism sufferers and not just those with Nathan's symptoms and you can be sure, they'll be parents of people with autism asking the same questions I am as there children's needs will inevitably differ.
Yes it's not perfect for the whole spectrum.Ofsuffers but the club's gesture and action is superb & one step towards our overall success - there always room for improvement BFA as we well know
As a parent of a child who is on the autistic spectrum I would argue that it is nigh on impossible for the club to cover all basis. Although my son who is has Asperger's Syndrome has no problem attending the games, I have come across other children with far more extreme forms of autism who would really struggle.
There comes a point in the spectrum where you have to ask why a parent would even want to take a child there. They can easily cover all bases for the milder end of the spectrum though. There's only 5 senses after all. Still can't find a list of what's actually in there. Dying to know.
Take a child where, Bri. . . . . to a sensory room or to The Stadium ? I don't understand what you mean There must be a way to find out what this room/box includes . . . . I'm going to ask for a 'viewing' 'cos I'm intrigued now Mind you, I couldn't even find a link to include in the original post (like I wanted to)
