TOMS RIVER – A new facility offering sensory space for children and adults with autism has recently been added to the township branch of the Ocean County Library.
Located on the second floor of the headquarters branch on Washington Street, the facility will serve children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other disabilities.
It is likely to open next year. In the meantime, library staff are adding the finishing touches to the room.
Ocean County Library Director Susan Quinn said the goal of the sensory space is to “provide an area for children and adults with a variety of disabilities including autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, post-traumatic stress disorder, cerebral palsy, memory loss, dementia and sensory processing disorders.”
“While these individuals are welcome to visit all areas of our library branch, this space is especially designed for them,” Quinn added.
Assistant Library Director Sara Siegler said, “we have provided a variety of products that are visually stimulating, tactile, calming and interactive. The purpose of creating this space is to provide an environment that develops the senses, encourages communication and social interactions, relieves stress and anxiety, and produces a feeling of calm and well-being.”
Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari who serves as liaison to the library system commend the staff of the library and the Ocean County Library Commission “for their innovative approach to helping our citizens with autism.”
“This room will serve as a centerpiece of our efforts to be all inclusive in the programs and services we provide at the library,” Vicari said. While it was anticipated the room would be open to the public earlier this year, those plans were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The library recognizes that there are many residents of Ocean County who may not feel that they can go to the library due to their varying degrees of sensory processing,” Vicari said.
He added, “the Ocean County Library is a leader in recognizing a need and addressing it in an effort to make sure the library is a place that everyone can visit. There is a true sense of community that exists at all of our branches.”
Once it can be opened to the public, Siegler said users will find an Iris Musical Touch Wall where they can engage in visual and auditory stimulation using musical sounds, shapes, numbers and a rainbow of colors; a Sensory Canopy which is a system of billowing, magnetic fabric sheets that go together to create a cloud-like ceiling and an LED Light Illuminators that help with color recognition, increasing sensory stimulation and visual attention.
The room will also feature a Bubble Mirror which creates entrancing optical illusions, and an Ocean Wave Ceiling Projector which is a mini-projector that combines ambient or other customizable audio, with colorful lighting effects to provide an ocean wave type of projection on any ceiling or wall to create a relaxing, enjoyable mood.
A water and sand LED Play Light Cube that engages children in a dynamic sensory activity that promotes relaxation, and makes learning fun again with a waterproof and durable color changing cube will also be part of the new room. Also included is a Bubble Tube, a product that can be used to calm persons with dementia, or for relaxation as it cycles through hundreds of different shades to produce a calming, relaxing effect. There is also other lighting products and furniture specifically made for the room.
In October, the Ocean County Library Commission dedicated the Toms River Sensory Space in honor of Vicari.
Ruthanne Scaturro, chair of the Ocean County Library Commission said, “this action recognizes Freeholder Vicari’s strong support for the Ocean County Library including its many initiatives to support children, families, and people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.”
Vicari said he believes the space will also serve as an educational center for visitors who want to learn more about autism, and the various programs and services that are available.
He added that “as a lifelong educator, I have seen the difference early intervention can make and want to encourage Ocean County residents to participate in activities to become better educated about Autism Spectrum Disorders. It is important to learn how to relate to children and adults who have autism, and all of these resources offer a great opportunity to find out ways to do so.”
“This new program has been a cooperative effort and a true partnership with librarians working with facilities staff to create this room,” Vicari said. He noted the library system has been a longtime advocate for individuals with autism and other disabilities.
Vicari added, “this room really stems from the annual Autism Fair hosted by the library usually in April in recognition of Autism Awareness Month.”
This year’s Autism Resource Fair was canceled due to the pandemic. Library staff worked behind the scenes according to Quinn, to continue the work of the Fair and support the community by creating an Autism Resources Center which is available on the Library’s website at theoceancountylibrary.org/autism
Resources for caregivers, autism-related library programs and autism-related community events are included at the Autism Resource Center.
“The library also provides resources that are designed to assist both the individual with autism and his or her caregivers during these challenging times,” Quinn said.
According to studies, New Jersey has the highest rate of autism in the entire country with one out of every 34 children born today being diagnosed with autism.
