Sewing for Autism

The birth of a great initiative and community partnership that continues to grow

After visiting the Sewing Club at the Spryfield Salvation Army, an autistic young adult made a suggestion with big and lasting impact. “When I saw and touched the fidget quilts the Club was making for people living with Alzheimer Disease, I thought, why couldn’t these be made for people on the Autism spectrum?” And this creative and innovative idea was the birth of weighted sensory pads.

The beautiful, multi-colored and multi-purposed weighted sensory pads named by the Sewing Club and Autism Nova Scotia together, support relaxation, sensory and tactile stimulation. Individuals on the autism spectrum may find the pads comforting, a support to help with grounding, a fidget tool to use on a long car ride, and helpful for manual dexterity issues as they use the zippers, buttons, velcro and other features.

Working in partnership with Autism Nova Scotia, the Sewing Club quickly became inspired by the idea to create weighted sensory pads. Club members first researched how to make weighted quilts, inquired about features to sew on such a quilt, and then presented the idea to Jenny Tyler, Community Outreach and Events with Autism Nova Scotia.

“Autism Nova Scotia is thrilled to be involved with this meaningful project and to support the Sewing Club’s vision to make weighted sensory pads for individuals and families,” says Cynthia Carroll, executive director of Autism Nova Scotia. “We have nine regional chapters and resource centres – these sensory pads are going to be accessible and available to autistic individuals throughout Nova Scotia.”

Anyone can become involved in this great initiative and dream up others like it by donating unique skills, talents and resources such as washable fabric with different textures (fleece, corduroy, faux fur, etc.), medium or heavy weight zippers, velcro, upholstery weight thread, etc. Members of the Sewing Club can help show people and groups how to make the sensory pads, as well as provide supplies to help others get started.

The Club has created 38 sensory pads; six were provided to local day cares, schools and individuals, helping to make them barrier free in terms of cost and access. Some of the local libraries have sensory pads as part of their sensory tool kits available on loan. The estimated cost to create a weighted sensory pad is about $30 using low cost and donated fabric and poly pellets provided by Autism Nova Scotia; this cost doesn’t include the individual’s time – a minimum of five hours.

Eileen Watts is one of three Club Members who is working diligently to create the sensory pads. She says, “I didn’t realize the challenges individuals with autism and their families go through when navigating spaces in the community like in their classroom or at their workplace; it’s very rewarding to be a part of this great initiative that benefits so many.”

Some of the members take the fabric home to test it in their washers and driers, others team up to measure and cut out pieces, some members sew the pockets that hold poly pellets for each pad, and others create panels with different textures and attachments. It’s really a team effort and all of the pieces of the sensory pads are double-stitched and finished with heavy-duty thread to ensure high durability and quality.

While many Sewing Club members have volunteered to create the complex sensory pads, their goal is to encourage other sewing groups to carry on this initiative, attract more volunteers to the Club, and call for donations of appropriate fabrics and materials because the pads are in high demand. “We hope this initiative inspires others to come forward and offer their skills to create these much-needed sensory pads or maybe it’s a donation; we can give in a number of different ways,” says Sheila Banks, who started the Sewing Club ten years ago.

The Sewing Club began as an Outreach Project of the Spryfield Salvation Army Community Church and Family Resource Centre, which is a very accessible space for all. The Club started with two donated sewing machines, a small amount of donated fabric and sewing supplies, and lots of enthusiasm to sew for family, friends, and the community. Each member brings unique skills, talents and resources that contribute to the Club’s projects.

Over the years, members have sewn …

• pyjama bottoms
• butcher aprons
• fashionable outfits
• stuffed animals
• curtains and cushion covers
• 200 shoe bags for a local elementary school
• 210 lap blankets for residents of the Veterans Memorial Building in Halifax
• 73 sets of curtains for the Salvation Army camp
• 372 Little Dresses for Precious Jewels in Salvation Army Orphanages in Africa
• and much more…

“Giving back doesn’t look the same for everyone,” says Cynthia. “Some people offer their time as a volunteer, while others donate in the form of fabric or money. No matter the contribution, it all helps support the autism community.”

Autism Nova Scotia is a national leader in providing social, educational, and employment supports for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), their families, caregivers, and professionals. The organization’s vision is a society where people with ASD can live their lives to the fullest. This vision informs Autism Nova Scotia’s day-to-day operations and provides a philosophy that revolves around person-focused supports, strength-based approaches, and community-oriented learning opportunities. Autism Nova Scotia delivers programming in Halifax and in nine communities across Nova Scotia through our Regional Autism Centres. The three program divisions are: Social & Community Inclusion; Employment Support; and Family and Caregiver Support.

Donations can be made to Autism Nova Scotia in honour of the weighted sensory pad project by visiting www.autismnovascotia.ca/give

For more information about how you can be a part of this great initiative, contact Sheila Banks at Sheila.banks@bellaliant.net