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LASN Playground March 2010: Sensory Play03-03-10 | News

Sensory Play

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Designers of inclusive playgrounds strive to allow children of all abilities to enjoy the play equipment. Playground designs have largely focused on accessibility and developmental appropriateness.

Landscape Structures Inc., a Delano, Minn.-based commercial playground manufacturer since 1971, has introduced what it is calling a ?EUR??,,????'?????<

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The playground manufacturer has launched five new products designed for ?EUR??,,????'?????<

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Autism

According to a December 2009 CDC report, in 2006 one in every 110 children was on the ?EUR??,,????'?????< According to the Autism Society of America, autism is a ?EUR??,,????'?????<

While it has long been recognized that autistic children often have difficulty playing and socializing, the playground manufacturer says little attention has been devoted to addressing this condition on the playground.

Sensory Design Criteria

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Mr. Faust notes that thousands of inclusive playgrounds will be designed and installed in North America in 2010. The hope is these designers will embrace a three-prong model of inclusive play: accessible, developmentally appropriate and sensory.

The Cozy Dome offers various sensory experiences, but can also be a quiet space where children can ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The Equipment

In addition to the new pictured play elements (Sensory Play Center, Cozy Dome and Multi-Sensory Discovery Wall), the manufactuer took one of its slides and turned it horizontal to create the Roller Table. The company says kids receive proprioceptive stimulation and all-over deep muscle pressure as they push and pull themselves along the TenderTuff-coated steel rollers for an upper-body strength challenge.

The fifth new product is the custom Wide Ramp. The ramp meets ADA guidelines for two wheelchairs to pass or travel together.

For more information visit playlsi.com/inclusive-play