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Thrive! Sensory Room

The NCHE Sensory Room is a calm, low-stimulation space designed to support regulation, emotional reset, and sensory relief during the 2026 Thrive! Homeschool Conference. Large conferences can be overwhelming due to noise, crowds, bright lights, and constant transitions. This room exists to remove those barriers so families can participate more fully and confidently.

The Sensory Room will only be open and available to conference attendees during these times.
Thursday, May 21: 3:00-5:40pm
Friday, May 22: 10:45am-5:35pm
Saturday, May 23: 10:45am-2:55pm

The Sensory Room is especially intended for:

  • Neurodivergent children, ages 2+, with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, anxiety, or other children with similar needs that should warrant a protected area to reset and regulate
  • Parents and caregivers who need a quiet place to help their child regulate
  • Siblings who may also benefit from a calm reset

Purpose of the Space

  • This room is for regulation, calm, and sensory relief during the conference. It is not for play, socializing, or therapy.
  • The goal is to support families so they can return to the conference feeling regulated and supported.

General Guidelines

  • Families will be asked to sign-in upon arrival.
  • This is a quiet, low-stimulation space. Voices should be soft, and movement should be calm.
  • Lighting, sound, and materials are intentionally gentle
  • Please do not adjust equipment without permission.
  • Children must be supervised by a parent or caregiver at all times.
  • The sensory room will be monitored and staffed by a volunteer at all times.
  • Given the purpose of the room, there should be no more than 4-5 families using the room at a time. If there is a higher need, the volunteer staffing the room will help families rotate in based on need and severity of the situation.

Usage Expectations

  • Visits are intended to be short-term resets (generally 10–15 minutes), unless otherwise needed, to allow the family/parents to return to the conference as soon as possible. 
  • Sensory take-away kits will be available (while supplies last). 
  • Families are invited to return to the room as needed throughout the conference.
  • If the room reaches capacity, families may be asked to limit time and enter on a rotation so others can access and utilize the space.

Sensory Tools & Equipment

  • All sensory items are for gentle, appropriate use only.
  • Please return items to their designated place after use.
  • Weighted items (lap pads, blankets) should be used while seated or resting, not for walking or play.
  • Sensory tools are not to be removed from the room (take-away kits are provided separately, while supplies last).

Safety & Respect

  • This room is a judgment-free, supportive environment. All regulation needs are valid.
  • Aggressive behavior, unsafe use of equipment, or disruption of others’ regulation may result in a request for the family to leave the room.
  • Volunteers will work with families to help maintain a calm, safe environment when needed.

Health & Hygiene

  • Please use provided sanitizing supplies after using shared items.
  • Families should not enter the room if someone is ill.

What This Room Is / Is Not

This room is:

  • A supportive accommodation
  • A place to reset, regroup, and regulate
  • A model for practical sensory strategies families can use at home

This room is not:

  • Childcare or drop-off care
  • A playroom, open gym, or social space
  • A therapeutic or medical service
  • A gross-motor energy-burn area
  • A nursing room