Making a sensory dark den

[KateW]

Hi, I'm new here.

My 12 year old daughter is autistic and I'd like to make a sensory dark den for her but all the ones I've seen are too small (1m cubed) and many are too fragile too. She has very little understanding and tends to throw things or try and destruct them so it needs to be robust. I was looking initially at one made of soft play materials (plastic padded) but they are expensive, £1,000 for 1m cubed size. Someone suggested wood and so I'm thinking of having one made bespoke, (probably 1.5-2m cubed). I tried to post a link to the website but the forum wouldn't let me. If you google wooden dark den you will probably see one on a company website TTS. This one uses 10mm birch plywood.

What type of wood would you recommend and where will it be best (cheapest and cut to size) to source the wood? It will only be used indoors and preferably will be painted.

Many thanks, Kate.

 

[gwr]

Hi Kate one of my grandsons is also autistic those dens look good for the purpose but I see what you mean about size.to build one would be no problem but im way up north so afraid I can't be more help to you but I'm sure someone will come along who lives much closer to you. Good luck G

 

[Oryxdesign]

I'm sure you could get someone local to make an mdf box you could paint or cover with fabric. If you were closer i would do it for you. I'm sure somebody will be along soon who will be able to help.

 

[Chems]

I would use just good quality softwood ply at about 22mm for really high strength. I would couple this with some knock down fixings allowing you to pack the entire cube away.

I think you should be able to get a cabinet maker/joiner to make one for you very cheaply. If you have them make your the box and then apply the padding and light blackout material over the door.

You are not to far from me and inbetween my 2 homes, if you require any help designing, sourcing materials or even want it making drop me a PM I'd be happy to help you out for the cost of materials.

 

[Oryxdesign]

or maybe?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GELERT-QUICK- ... 688&_uhb=1

 

[Oryxdesign]

Sorry crossed post, looks like you have a good solution with a great offer from Chems.

 

[KateW]

Many thanks everyone.

Chems, thank you for your very kind offer to help, I will send you a message (once I work out how). I'm not sure what knock down fixings are but the idea to make it collapsible is excellent, especially as we may be moving in the next year. The thickness you suggest is quite a lot more than the one I've seen online which used 10mm solid birch ply but if it is collapsible I guess it would need to be stronger. My brother in law, who has a background in school caretaking and general maintenance, may be able to make it up for me but I think it best for someone with a joinery/carpentry background designs it and helps with a materials spec.
Oryxdesign, I did look at tent type constructions as they are more portable but my daughter really needs more solid sides.
Thanks again everyone.

Kate.

 

[Chems]

Kate, I've sent you a PM and an email as not sure if new members can receive PM.

 

[Lons]

Hi Kate

I can't help you as I'm in Northumberland but I really hope you get all the support you need in looking after your daughter. These very special kids need all the help they can get. Must be very frustrating to have all that intelligence locked away in their own little world.

My daughter, now a nurse, whilst doing A levels, spent her spare time at a special needs school and she also was one of the first people to help out Laslie Henderson on a voluntary basis before she set up the Toby Henderson Trust in Northumberland for her son. Many are the times my daughter has come home covered in scratches, bites and bruises but somehow she managed to get through to these kids and she said that occassional glint in the eye or genuine smile or cuddle made it all worthwhile.

A close friend has a son now 22 who has Aspergers, (a type of autism) and during the past 10 years I've seen the breakages and tantrums at first hand but it isn't the fault of the kids and they don't know why they do it. I've also seen the other side when the child shows amazing affection.

Best wishes to you and your family

Bob

 

[KateW]

Thank you Bob.

I'm so touched by the welcome from this forum. It was a bit of a stab in the dark posting here but I'm so pleased I did.

My dad was a French Polisher and did a lot of cabinet making too but he is almost 80 and we recently lost my mum to cancer so I didn't want to ask him to help with it.

Laura, my daughter has quite low functioning autism, doesn't speak and also has epilepsy and other disabilities but she has a love of music, textures, movement and lights. Her teacher tells me that she enjoys the dark sensory room at school so it will be good to have a calming area at home too. We are hoping to get some equipment for the den from a charity called Newlife that give grants for equipment for disabled kids and they also have a lending facility where they let families loan sensory cases of toys for a month at a time so the Dark Den will be excellent to get the most out of the sensory toys.

Thanks again everyone. Chems has very kindly offered to help with the project and already drawn a design! How fabulous is that!

Kate.

I'm so grateful for the welcoming and supportive people on this form. It was a bit of a stab in the dark posting here but I'm so pleased I did.

My dad was a French Polisher and did a lot of cabinet making too but he is almost 80 and we recently lost my mum to cancer so I didn't want to ask him to help with it.

 

[Oryxdesign]

I hope it helps, good luck

 

[lanemaux]

Hi Kate and welcome to the forum.
Your daughter sounds a great deal like my little girl , now a 24 yr. old , but I cannot seem to get that through my head.
Marcy is also an epileptic in addition to her Autism like symptoms. She was unable to fit into the categories of any one type of syndrome and we have yet to get a satisfactory diagnosis . This makes her a law unto herself as far as treatment options go. For instance , any tangible form of darkness sends her into screaming tantrums and self injurious behaviors . Guessing a deprivation chamber may not be our best route . Still , would like to know how you get on with your project as any and all info I learn may yet prove a help even if just dealing with doctors. Often it helps to know just what to ask or to have some knowledge from others when discussing options.
Regarding actual construction , the idea of having it break down as a design feature is a good one for possible stays with relatives. Marcy sees her Grandmother often in the summer , if you go to gran's even just overnight , well , having it with you may save on transitioning problems. If yours is like to mine , transitions are a trying time.
Good luck , Mike

 

[KateW]

Hi Mike,

Yes transitions are very tricky for us too and have got more difficult as Laura has got older and physically bigger. Laura has Dravet syndrome, seizures at 4 months and the dx of autism at 3, followed by ADHD at age 6. If your daughter's seizures came early on, under 1, then it might be worth looking into Dravet syndrome as it is under diagnosed in adults.

Best wishes,

Kate.

 

[Roughcut]

Hi KateW,
Can I just add that if you find that you do need further help with this project another avenue you could explore is through this (non-profit making) national charity: http://www.remap.org.uk/
I am a member but unfortunately im not in your region.
However if you approached them im sure they would oblige.

*And for any other members interested in volunteering for their local regional REMAP panel I would thoroughly recommend it.
It really does make a difference to other people's lives and I find it enormously rewarding.
Contact details are on the REMAP website.

 

[KateW]

What a fabulous organisation, thanks for sharing!

 

[marcus]

Does it need to be quiet as well as dark? If so thick mdf will stop more sound than plywood.... Not sure how significant the difference is, but there is one, so maybe worth thinking about.