sensory-friendly surgery experience
Dayton Children’s is paving the way in providing children with a sensory friendly experience for surgical procedures.
how does the sensory program work?
During our routine pre-operative call, the scheduler will ask you a series of questions to determine if your child is a candidate for our sensory friendly pre-operative room. If the room is determined necessary, one of our child life specialists will reach out to develop a coping plan that is specific to your child and their specific behaviors, signs of escalating anxiety and triggers. The child life specialist will ask you about specific interests that your child has and items that may bring your child comfort.
what’s a sensory-friendly environment like?
From the call with the child life specialist, our team of experts will design the sensory room based on your child’s individual coping plan. Their environment may include:
- Quiet with low lighting
- Color mood lighting through a marble LED wall and wall light tiles
- Fidget objects for children that are hyperactive
- Liquid color changing floor tiles to walk on and explore
- Bouncy chairs and floor cushions
- White noise machines
- Personal headphones
- Weighted blankets
Since the start of our sensory program in 2017, the experience has helped reduce the amount of pre-surgery calming medicine from 90% down to 20% of patients.
If you think that your child may benefit from a sensory-friendly surgery experience, please let the scheduler know during your pre-operative call.
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Whether you’re looking for the right provider, ready to make an appointment, or need care right now—we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence.
