Sensory play rooms a reality for autism community thanks to $10,000 donation

Three new sensory-related rooms specifically designed for the Sault's autism community were officially unveiled during the Algoma Autism Foundation Fall Festival Saturday.

The rooms - located at the headquarters of Brenna Lanktree and Associates Inc. Behavioural Therapy and Consultation on Rankin Road - were made possible by a $10,000 donation from Jeff Viotto, financial advisor for The Co-operators, with the support of The Co-operators Advisory Community Fund. 

“There’s a lot of specific items in there that we needed the financial support to afford, so every dime of that went to the building of those rooms,” said Algoma Autism Foundation co-founder Jamie Boston. “The Co-operators also volunteered their time to help us build the rooms as well.” 

The unveiling of the project was intended to coincide with the Algoma Autism Foundation Fall Festival, which included a number of outdoor games and activities for children and youth in attendance.

The festival also included a number of vendors on site for adults. 

“It’s an opportunity for the autism community to come together,” Boston told SooToday. “Just simple, fun games and food - and great weather.”