Glitter Minds creates safe space for sensory exploration
Children on the autism spectrum and their families gathered at Polokwane's Glitter Minds for a sensory fun day designed to build confidence, understanding and connection.
POLOKWANE – For children on the autism spectrum, everyday sensory experiences can sometimes be overwhelming, making activities such as walking barefoot on grass, playing with bubbles or building sandcastles challenging.
Understanding these challenges, Engela Deysel, the owner of Glitter Minds, a school catering for children on the autism spectrum, organised a special day to help children and their parents explore different sensory experiences in a fun and supportive environment.
A calling born from personal experience
“10 years ago I started this centre. It was not planned, it was a calling, because of my son. When he was diagnosed with autism, doctors told me he will never speak or go to school. I chose not to give up, and proved them wrong. By word of mouth, parents started calling me asking for help, and that is how Glitter Minds was born.”
Glitter Minds arranged a sensory fun day for neorodiverse children and their families.
“Parents learned how to play with their children and enjoyed having fun together without feeling judged.
“Autism means you are different yes, but it does not mean you are less than other. We all need a place we can feel we are excepted.”
Deysel, who is also the mom of Erich, a child on the spectrum, said the initiative aimed to give families an opportunity to face sensory challenges together while celebrating their children’s courage and achievements.
Exploring the senses through play
Early on Friday, children and their parents gathered at the school to participate in 15 activity stations designed to engage their senses through sight, sound, touch, movement, taste and smell.
The activities included a taste-sensation picnic, blowing pinwheels or feathers, identifying scents, walking across different textures and making sounds with musical instruments. The children also enjoyed water play with bubbles and plastic balls, played inside a large balloon filled with smaller floating balloons, and searched for hidden toys in slime.
While some activities were embraced enthusiastically, others proved more challenging, giving children an opportunity to experience different sensations at their own pace.
The event provided a supportive space for children to explore their sensory responses while allowing parents to share in their experiences and celebrate their progress.
At the end of the day, the children were recognised for their bravery during a prize-giving ceremony, followed by a picnic to round off the activities.
