Family Health
SENSORY FRIENDLY BRISBANE Sensory issues can make it a challenge to find a fun and supportive way to allow your child to explore and learn in an environment in which they feel comfortable. If you are looking for ways to get out and about with your sensory child, there are plenty of fun and sensory-sensitive places around Brisbane that provide a welcoming experience.
SENSORY FRIENDLY MOVIES
Cinemas can be a little overwhelming to those with sensory issues. The darkness, loud noises, and the lack of ability to move freely can be quite stressful to children and parents. Sensory-friendly screenings involve the lights being only slightly dimmed, sound being lowered, and the ability to move freely around the cinema. So where can you find these screenings? These screenings occur regularly at Event and Hoyts cinemas, but screening times differ at each venue so be sure to check it out before you go!
ANIMAL EXPERIENCES
NATURE EXPERIENCES
If animals aren’t exactly your child’s forte, a visit to one of Brisbane’s Discover Centres offers a tactile and sensory educational experience. Downfall Creek Bushland Centre offers a Mountains to Mangroves Sensory trail with information boards inviting your child to touch, listen, and smell along the way. The trail is wheelchair accessible, with continuous handrails and interpretive signs that include braille and raised text. It’s the perfect way to get out with friends and family, whilst making it a fun and inclusive experience for your child. You can find more Discovery Centres across Brisbane in this article: www.familiesmagazine.com.au/discover-discovery-centres
Working with animals and surrounding oneself with nature can help a lot of people with sensory disorders. One such place to help children using animals is EquusTerra Therapeutic Horse Riding, located in Yeronga. Each lesson students get to interact with a horse and be involved in a range of activities such as grooming, feeding and riding. An environment like this can help form a bond and trust between the student and animal in a supportive domain.
ART PLAY DATES
Children are such creative young minds with lots of colourful ideas, so why not encourage it! Art play dates are run at QAGOMA in Brisbane city. Sessions are scheduled fortnightly on Tuesdays from March to May 2022. This event is run for 1- to 3-year-olds so it’s perfect for your excited tots! Each session includes a tour focusing on a sensory experience, with song and dance included to encourage children. This event is ticketed so be sure to book in advance! QAGOMA also runs low-sensory days throughout the year, where lights and sounds are lowered. For “any day” visits, the gallery is usually much quieter after 2pm.
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Your Local Families Magazine April / May 2022 www.familiesmagazine.com.au