New mobile sensory room brings calm to the organised chaos of Cappamore Show

THE SIGHTS and sounds  of an agricultural show include cattle bawling, horses neighing, dogs barking, music playing,  all amid crowds of people.

This can all be overwhelming for those with autism and sensory differences who still want to enjoy fun events. 

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Limerick-based national charity ASD Ireland had the perfect solution at Cappamore Show with their brand  new mobile sensory room.

CEO Keith Enright, originally from Clarina, said it's the only one in the country that was actually built and designed by autistic people for autistic people.

“This is the first outing for this new unit that we fundraised for. It was only finished yesterday.  A lot of people would have seen our original mobile sensory room that would've gone around to different events all around the country,” said Keith, who describes it as a safe space.

“There is an awful lot going on outside. For example, there's a band setting up for a concert and there's amusement park rides - it just becomes too much for people with autism.

“This is a safe space where they can come in, close the door and it blocks out all that noise outside,” said Keith.

It is designed for both adults and children.

“We had children as young as two-years-old  in here today and we had adults as old as 65 in here today as well. Autism doesn't just stop because you turn 18 so we provide support for  adults as well,” said Keith.

The mobile sensory unit has a number of facilities like auditory reprocessing and a range of materials regarding a person's senses such as smell, hearing, sight.

“Different items will support different parts of the autistic person's brain. The idea of it is to remove whatever issue is happening outside and make it safe in here,” he explains.

The unit cost €60,000 which was all funded by the public. A list of companies that donated are listed on the front of the trailer.

“We're based in Limerick city and we provide support to about 3,500 people every year.  The only funding we receive is from donations from members of the public or from the families or from the business community.

“We are hoping to be at events all over Limerick and all over the country. If anybody wants to get in contact, they can just email myself keith@asdireland.ie and we can plan to see if we can come and attend your event,” concludes Keith.

ASD Ireland was founded by two parents - Keith Enright and Caroline Hogan - who both have teenagers with autism spectrum disorder. It was developed due to the lack of socially inclusive activities available for their children. It began with the development of Limerick autism group, progressed to providing a number of inclusive activities and is now ASD Ireland.