For over the past year, special educators at Williams Intermediate School in Pell City have been working towards building a Sensory Room to help students with autism and similar sensory processing issues.

Now, thanks in part to community donation and several grants, construction of the room is complete. A grand opening was held on May 23.

“I would like to thank our amazing community members for believing in our program,” said Meredith Snow, special education teacher at Williams Intermediate School. “The sensory room wouldn’t have been possible without your care, support and promotion of our project!” 

Sensory processing disorder is a neurological condition in which individuals cannot correctly respond to sensory signals. This tends to make people feel overwhelmed when faced with several sensory elements at once.  

The Sensory Room helps to combat that reaction and carefully introduce students to an environment where they could face sensory signals in a controlled and comfortable environment. Students can learn how to cope in situations similar to those they will face in everyday life.

For more information on the Sensory Room or the program at Williams Intermediate School, email special education teacher Meredith Snow at meredith.snow@pellcityschools.net.