STAR Center Receives Grant from the Colorado Garden Foundation to Build a Sensory Garden for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder
Denver, Colorado (PRWEB) April 30, 2014 -- The Colorado Garden Foundation (who also produces the annual Colorado Garden & Home Show) held an awards ceremony on Sunday, April 27, 2014 to present a second grant to the STAR Center for the development of a therapeutic sensory garden and innovative education program called Project GROW, for children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Combined with last year’s award that began the project, the total provided by the Colorado Garden Foundation is over $15,000.
Sensory Processing Disorder is a neurological disorder that disrupts the way an individual processes and responds to sensations. STAR Center is the premier treatment center for children with sensory challenges. Individuals with SPD may over- or under-respond to one or more sensations (e.g., a loud sound, or light touch), crave sensations or may have problems with motor skills and coordination.
Project GROW combines education with a therapeutic sensory garden that will address the needs of children with SPD through plants that are selected based on their sensory characteristics including smell, taste, texture and visual presentation. The strategically planted garden will surround the STAR (Sensory Therapies And Research) Center’s Sensory Playground--a privately-fenced, 13,000-square-foot playground, located in the Denver Tech Center, used as a therapy tool for children with sensory processing challenges.
“We are thrilled and filled with gratitude that Project Grow is becoming a reality for the STAR Center and our families,” said Sheryl Benjamin, Executive Director. “Project GROW will document the developmental changes of children through gardening with the focus of improving the ability of children with SPD to be able to smell, taste and touch new plants, herbs and vegetables for a better quality of life.”
The sensory garden will be installed by the end of May, enabling the STAR Center’s staff to plant and work with children this summer. The garden will include H.E.R.B.’s (Herbs, Education, Research & Botany) Garden with raised containers to grow herbs, and the Vegetable Garden, an area in which the children have access to dig, plant and tend to fast growing, sensory plants (taste, texture, and smell).
Families wanting to find out more about SPD can visit the STAR Center’s website (http://www.SPDStar.org) and call the STAR Center to schedule a free intake appointment. Summer availability fills quickly so families are encouraged to contact STAR Center this spring.
ABOUT STAR CENTER
STAR Center, a Colorado 501(c)(3), is the premier treatment center for children and families living with Sensory Processing Disorder, feeding disorders, and other sensory issues associated with other conditions such as ADHD, autism, and a wide variety of additional developmental disorders. STAR Center offers intensive “burst” treatment that research shows is effective in treating issues related to daily life routines and roles (e.g. social participation, self-regulation, self-esteem, etc.) Parents are involved throughout the process so they can be empowered to create sensory lifestyles and continue to see progress after the formal treatment program ends. Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, founder of STAR Center and Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation, is widely recognized as the leader in Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) research worldwide. For more information about the Greenwood Village, Colorado clinic, visit http://www.SPDStar.org.
Karen Harolds, STAR Center, http://www.spdstar.org, +1 303-794-1182, [email protected]
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