Tākaro Tairongo - Sensory Play Sessions

As well as the grab kits, the team will be hosting its first Tākaro Tairongo – Sensory Play Sessions at the Marton RSA and Citizens Memorial Hall on Sunday, 3 August.

For Community Engagement Officer Lashana Pewhairangi-Bell, sensory play options has been a personal mission for her since she started at the Marton hub last year.

“About two years ago, our whānau began our autism journey when we noticed our youngest wasn’t reaching the typical developmental milestones. That’s when we were guided toward having our daughter assessed for autism,” says Lashana.

“As we navigated the process, we quickly realised that most of the support groups, courses, and assessments that we were referred to were based outside of our district. It made me think, surely we’re not the only whānau in our area going through this, looking for support, and finding very little available locally.

Joining the Rangitīkei District Community Hubs team, Lashana was excited to hear that there was kōrero about organising sensory play for tamariki, and with the support of her manager, Jo Manuel, she began to take on more responsibility for developing sensory play options.

“We really began to put energy behind the idea, wanting to bridge the gap in support for our local neurodiverse community within our district. Jo successfully applied for funding from the JBS Dudding Charitable Trust, and I was given the chance to create initiatives could make a real difference. Something that fosters inclusion, raises awareness, is available in our district and above all, brings joy. Because at the end of the day, who doesn’t love to play and have fun with cool sensory gear?

Through her own experiences with neurodiverse children, Lashana had a good idea about what would be needed in the sensory play kits that would be made available for whanau to take home with them. The kits include weighted toys, noise cancelling headphones, a vibrating cushion and a vestibular spin chair.

She also recognised the need for specially designed events for whanau of neurodiverse Tamariki, who normally would find public events overwhelming.

“Tākaro Tairongo - Sensory Play Sessions will be co-facilitated with Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa, and they have been created for whānau like mine in mind. By offering bookable sessions, we give families the freedom to come out together, to a space that is welcoming, calm, and created specifically with their needs in mind, and by making the event open to all who would like to attend brings in the inclusiveness and awareness aspect around neurodiversity.

Lashana’s passion for the project and bringing it to life shines through and seeing it become a reality is incredibly satisfying for her.

“This initiative is close to my heart, and it’s been a privilege to turn our personal journey into something that hopefully brings comfort, fun, and connection to others walking a similar path within or rohe.”

Lashana has used her own experience with neurodiverse children to develop the initiatives of the the grab kits and play sessions.