Pune: The Brijlal Jindal College of Physiotherapy has launched a sensory garden within the Fergusson College campus in Pune, specifically designed for children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and autism.

This garden aims to provide therapeutic interventions and support for children who are either hypersensitive or insensitive to various sensory inputs.

The sensory garden was inaugurated by renowned pediatricians Dr. Anand Pandit and Dr. Pournima Pandit, with key figures from Deccan Education Society, including Pramod Rawat and Dr. Anand Katikar, in attendance.

The garden features a variety of sensory tools and environments, such as balance activities, different textured surfaces, swings, and colorful pathways, all aimed at helping children develop a balanced response to sensory stimuli.

Parents often report that their child dislikes certain textures or only prefers crunchy foods, likes or dislikes swings intensely, dislikes being hugged, or constantly puts fingers in their mouth, and only likes soft clothes.

These are symptoms of being hypersensitive or insensitive to touch, sound, height, taste, or movement. Medically, this is known as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), which can occur alone or in conjunction with autism. Currently, the prevalence of SPD in the country is 1 in 6 children, while autism affects 1 in 68 children.

Given this, it is important to reduce hypersensitivity in overly sensitive children and increase sensitivity in insensitive children. To address this, a sensory garden has been developed at Fergusson College.

The garden offers guidance from expert physiotherapists, activities for balance, walking on various surfaces (hard, smooth, pointed), different types of swings, colorful pathways, and other such equipment.

Using these tools, exercises will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to help balance the various senses in children with SPD and autism.