2025 Grantee Update
Zoe Oppriecht, teacher at Park Elementary School in Lyons, explains how her grant has impacted not only her own students but her school community:
The sensory room has truly transformed the daily experiences of our students, becoming a space of comfort, regulation, and joy. What was once just an idea made possible through grant funding is now a vital part of how we support students with diverse sensory needs. One student, after using the steamroller, looked up and said with genuine excitement, “I love this. Thank you!”. This is a simple but powerful reminder of how meaningful this space is. Another student, who is non-verbal, lit up with excitement while engaging with the bubble tube, clearly demonstrating a sense of calm and regulation that can be difficult to achieve in a traditional classroom setting. Moments like these speak volumes, showing growth not just in sensory regulation but in emotional well-being.
Beyond these individual stories, the sensory room has had a ripple effect throughout our school community. Teachers have noticed improved focus and readiness to learn after students spend time in the space, and staff feel more equipped to meet the needs of every child. These extra pieces of equipment for the sensory room have created opportunities for success that simply didn’t exist before, giving students a safe place to reset and re-engage. These positive experiences are just a glimpse into the many ways the sensory room is making a difference.
The picture below shows our sensory room featuring an Autism Steamroller, a piece of equipment designed to provide deep pressure input. The steamroller consists of two padded rollers that gently apply pressure to a child’s body as they move through it, offering a calming and organizing sensory experience. This type of input supports proprioception, which helps individuals better understand where their body is in space. The Autism Steamroller has been especially beneficial for student regulation. The deep, consistent pressure it provides helps calm the nervous system, reduce sensory overload, and support emotional regulation. Many of our students seek out this input, as it can feel similar to a firm hug and helps them feel more secure and grounded. After using the steamroller, students are often more focused, attentive, and ready to participate in classroom activities.
Also pictured below, our completed sensory walk project at Park Elementary. The hallway has been transformed into an interactive path designed to support students’ sensory regulation, motor development, and focus throughout the school day. The carpeted floor features a sequence of colorful footprints and movement markers that guide students through structured activities such as stepping, hopping, and balancing. Along the walls, there are visual prompts and decals that encourage actions such as following directions, engaging in breathing or movement exercises. A sequence board can be seen that helps with regulation and fine motor tasks. The project also includes a fine motor “alligator station,” where students can build hand strength and coordination through hands-on interaction. This sensory walk provides an accessible, engaging way for students at Park Elementary to build self-regulation skills, improve motor coordination, and better prepare for learning.
