Ithaca Sensory Parents Your One Stop For All Things Sensory in Ithaca Contact Us: [email protected]How the Group Began: “Sensory Processing Disorders affect between 5 to 16 percent of school-aged children.” Owen et al. (2013). Abnormal white matter microstructure in children with sensory processing disorders. NeuroImage: Clinical 2, 844-53. Ithaca Sensory Parents Support Group was established by Sasha Beram and Rebecca Lesser in December 2014. Our goal was to reach out to other parents of children with sensory challenges and offer the needed support that was lacking in our community at the time. Initially, we hosted monthly parent-only support meetings called “Ithaca Sensory Parents Coffee Date” as a way for sensory parents to find each other and learn from each other’s journeys. From there, ISPSG grew tremendously and expanded in scope. Today we have 92 members and provide a wide array of services, social events, sensory-friendly community building activities, and resources. We work to foster resiliency and positive outcomes for our member families every day. Who Can Join? The group is open to any parent or guardian of a child with sensory processing challenges who lives within an hour’s drive of Ithaca. We provide in-person and online support. We are very inclusive. No diagnosis is necessary! Membership and all that we offer is free. Meet the Group Founders: Sasha Beram Sasha has a five year old son with Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, and Generalized Sensory-Friendly Trainings and Events Calendar SPD Awareness & Local Resources Binder Monthly Support Group Meetings & Private Facebook Page Sensory-Friendly Trainings and Events Calendar Monthly Support Group Meetings & Private Facebook Page SPD Awareness & Local Resources Binder
special education, as well as her firsthand experience with her son, to empower other parents of children with sensory challenges. In her spare time she likes to read,
using her background in psychology and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. She enjoys Processing Disorder, ADHD, and Sasha has a five year old son with Sensory
Sasha Beram
Meet the Group Founders:
The group is open to any parent or guardian of a child with sensory processing challenges who lives within an hour’s drive of Ithaca. We provide in-person and online support. We are very inclusive. No diagnosis is necessary! Membership and all that we offer is free.
Who Can Join?
Ithaca Sensory Parents Support Group was established by Sasha Beram and Rebecca Lesser in December 2014. Our goal was to reach out to other parents of children with sensory challenges and offer the needed support that was lacking in our community at the time. Initially, we hosted monthly parent-only support meetings called “Ithaca Sensory Parents Coffee Date” as a way for sensory parents to find each other and learn from each other’s journeys. From there, ISPSG grew tremendously and expanded in scope. Today we have 92 members and provide a wide array of services, social events, sensory-friendly community building activities, and resources. We work to foster resiliency and positive outcomes for our member families every day.
Owen et al. (2013). Abnormal white matter microstructure in children with sensory processing disorders. NeuroImage: Clinical 2, 844-53.
“Sensory Processing Disorders affect between 5 to 16 percent of school-aged children.”
How the Group Began:
Sensory-FriendlyTrainings and Events Calendar SPD Awareness &
Local Resources Binder
Monthly Support Group Meetings &
Private Facebook Page
Sensory-FriendlyTrainings and Events Calendar Monthly Support Group
Meetings & Private Facebook Page
SPD Awareness &Local Resources Binder
What We Offer:
Social Events & Community Building:
“Sensory Parents Coffee Date”: a monthly parent-only support group meeting that includes snacks, chat, and a guest speaker or sensory activity. Free!
o Past speakers and topics have included : Blue Sky Center for Learning/ABA therapist, Mindfulness Breathing Techniques, Family Navigator, Independent Consultant for children with special needs, a local Autism mom blogger, and Qui Gong Massage.
o Sensory activities have included : Mystery scent and mystery texture box games, Boba tea bubbles as sensory bin filler and regulating beverage, make your own calm down jar, finger knitting, beeswax modeling, and adult coloring.
Community events such as family picnics and parents’ night out
Directory of local sensory parents interested in 1:1 or small group play dates
Continually updated calendar of sensory-friendly events taking place in or near Ithaca
o Sensory Friendly Storytimeso Sensory Friendly Filmso Sensory Hours at Sciencentero Sensory Hours at the MOSTo Seminars and training opportunities for
parentso
Private, active Facebook page that connects over 92 parents of children with sensory challenges in the Ithaca area
Bathing Anxiety Elopement Pain Tolerance Hair and Nail Cuts Temperature
Regulation
ICD-10 insurance codes for reimbursement of costs associated with SPD services and therapy
Peer reviewed research articles that establish SPD as a neurological disorder distinct from ADHD and Autism.
Links to blogs and vlogs by children and adults who have SPD that share personal experiences and day to day challenges
Descriptions of the 8 sensory systems, and what it looks like to be under or over sensitive for each sense
Sensory Profile Questionnaire: tool to measure how significantly a child’s response to sensory events impacts the child’s ability to perform daily routines and roles.
Links to esteemed national SPD organizations and support groups.
Our mission is to empower and connect local sensory families.
Resources:
Lending Library containing sensory books and equipment
Sensory Resource Binder
Member-recommended list of sensory friendly professionals, businesses and services in the Ithaca area
Pamphlets and business cards for helpful local organizations
Notes from sensory-related seminars and trainings, including those hosted by:
o Franziska Racker Centero Child Development Councilo Parent Resource Networko Finger Lakes Independence Centero Syracuse University Parent Advocacy
Center (SUPAC)o Ithaca Special Education PTA (SEPTA)o Office of People with Developmental
Disabilities (OPWDD)
How to prepare for Individual Education Plan (IEP) Meetings
Services:
Coach parents on how to create an organized Individual Education Plan binder
Provide suggestions for:o Sensory diet to regulate one’s body and
arousal levels (Please consult OT as well.)o Heavy work and deep pressure activitieso Movement breakso Visual schedules and timerso Coping strategies o Teaching kids emotional regulation skillso Dealing with anxietyo Assembling a sensory backpack or toolkito Creating a therapeutic sensory room in
your house
Consult with community organizations about how to create programs and spaces that are sensory friendly
Provide emotional support and 1:1 counseling to parents, during which their children are welcome to play in our sensory loft.
o This service is especially beneficial for parents who have just moved to the area or whose child has just received a diagnosis.
Spread awareness of the strengths, needs and effective treatments for children affected by Sensory Processing Disorder and comorbid conditions
