MAKUENI STRENGTHENS SENSORY THERAPY SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM.
Is your child overwhelmed by everyday sounds or textures? Have you encountered children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder who struggle to cope with their surroundings?
Families in Makueni may now have a reason for hope, as public health facilities step up efforts to support children facing sensory processing challenges through strengthened rehabilitation services.
Sensory processing, how the brain receives, organizes, and responds to information from the senses, plays a critical role in a child’s development.
When this process is disrupted, it can affect behavior, learning, and daily functioning. Recognizing this, the Makueni County Department of Health Services has intensified interventions within its rehabilitation units to better support affected children.
In a significant boost to these efforts, the department on Friday partnered with Kenyatta National Hospital to conduct a comprehensive training session for county therapists. The session focused on sensory integration techniques as well as the proper installation and maintenance of specialized therapeutic equipment.
The training forms part of a broader strategy to promote evidence-based practice among healthcare providers, ensuring that children receive effective, safe, and consistent care across county facilities.
According to Mikie Baron, a clinical Occupational Therapist and a brand ambassador at Kenyatta National Hospital, sensory interventions in occupational therapy involve carefully designed activities that help individuals, especially children process sensory information more efficiently.
This, in turn, improves emotional regulation, concentration, and overall daily functioning.
During the sensitization forum, stakeholders identified the establishment of a sensory gym as a top priority for county health facilities.
The proposed facility would provide a safe and structured environment for therapy, enabling individualized interventions and allowing children to explore sensory experiences in a controlled setting.
