A morning walk past the famed Parle biscuit factory in Vile Parle’s eastern side of the railway tracks rejigs childhood memories. It is a prelude to the sensory experience that defines the 550-sq ft space inside Anandi Special School in the campus of the Shahaji Raje Marg municipal school.

Housed within a room on the first floor of the school is a carefully arranged curation of sensory experiences for children. Designed by the accessibility organisation Access For All, the room has been hosting children all week. Its founder, Siddhant Shah explains, “Most sensory calming rooms are expensive, and out of reach for the parents of these children. This one is the first of its kind.”

A caretaker helps a child experience the ball pit in the room

A room of their own

The space, which took two months to be ready, is carefully designed for children to experience through the senses of sound, smell, touch and vision. There are tactile numbers and patches on the walls and floors, bells to ring, and soft, velvety cushion covers. The experience, Shah adds, is designed for both sensory activation and decompression. As Shah switches off the light, a lamp throws up a calming nightlight of stars on the multicoloured walls. With its old-school wooden windows, the room is also cocooned from noisy traffic across the road.

Principled design

An architect by training, Shah turned to the use of the seven principles of universal design —from flexibility of objects, intuitive learning, low physical effort and safety. Previously used as a therapy room by the school, Shah’s team transformed it with support from the Inner Wheel Club of the Bombay Airport Tiara. President of the club, Kuntii Gala shares, “The primary motive was to open this experience up to every child, irrespective of their financial condition.”

(From left) A sensory toy used to educate children about time; a phonetic learning tool; a Braille snake and ladder board game with dice (in foreground). The design of the dice makes it easy to use for children with motor issues as well

A welcome home

Akansha Ranade, principal, Anandi Special School, shares that the room also furthers the social needs of children, irrespective of their abilities. “Parents of children with autism and neurodivergence can be hesitant in letting them interact with other children. This inhibits their social interaction. Here, they can watch their child learn, and interact with other children. It also helps eliminate some of the stigma about these abilities,” she explains.

In addition to offering counselling and therapy, Shah’s organisation is also involved in educating teachers at the school in understanding and utilising the facilities to help children. “Often, in the BMC school, children who struggle with learning, or are finding it difficult to pay attention are often sent here to calm down. It serves to channelise their energy,” he says. The experience of curating and designing the room has now evolved into a blueprint for future such projects, says Shah.
As we wrap up, a boy walks into the ball pit with his caretaker watching on. It is almost time for school to start, and friends are on the way.

Akansha Ranade

AT Anandi Special School, first floor, Shahaji Raje Marg Municipal School campus, Vile Parle East.
TIME 11 am to 2 pm; 2 pm to 4 pm 
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