AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new business near northwest Austin is offering a community space and resources for people with sensory needs or disabilities.
The Sensory Club Austin (located at 11066 Pecan Park Blvd., Ste. 417, Cedar Park) opened earlier this month as a safe space for children and adults alike who have disabilities or special needs. It’s a locally owned and operated club, with The Sensory Club’s original location based in Wisconsin.
Azza Hassan, co-owner and managing director of The Sensory Club, told KXAN the journey began with her son, who has autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). After discovering the Wisconsin business, she said she wanted to bring the same resources to community members in Austin.
“[My son is] seven years old now, and as parents, we always struggle just to find a safe space for him to play and to feel included and at the same time, to meet the sensory needs,” Hassan said. “It took us a year and a half to have a space ready and open and welcome the community.”
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The Sensory Club Austin has a community space for people with sensory needs and disabilities. (KXAN Photo/Kelsey Thompson) -
The Sensory Club Austin has a community space for people with sensory needs and disabilities. (KXAN Photo/Kelsey Thompson) -
The Sensory Club Austin has a community space for people with sensory needs and disabilities. (KXAN Photo/Kelsey Thompson) -
The Sensory Club Austin has a community space for people with sensory needs and disabilities. (KXAN Photo/Kelsey Thompson) -
The Sensory Club Austin has a community space for people with sensory needs and disabilities. (KXAN Photo/Kelsey Thompson)
The equipment used at The Sensory Club includes those found in occupational therapy clinics, and each piece of equipment has a sensory input — from gross motor skills or movement to tactile or visual-based elements, or fine motor skills. The club is primarily an open gym concept alongside a multi-sensory environment room available for visitors to calm down and regulate or stimulate their senses.
The club doesn’t only cater to children, Hassan said, adding members range from toddlers to those in their 30s. Alongside individual members and families, service providers have been referring their clients or their schools to The Sensory Club as a safe space and resource.
Club visitors aren’t just in the immediate Austin area, but travel from Leander, Kyle and Buda to attend and find resources and support systems, Hassan said.
“It’s mind-blowing the way the community has been receiving the club so far,” she said.
So far, the club has had about 250 clients come through and is nearing 40 members. For those interested, Hassan said the club caters to families with a member who has a disability and special need — but siblings, guardians, caregivers and parents are also always welcome to join.
Currently, day passes cost $20 and unlimited monthly memberships land at $54 a month. As the club develops, Hassan said her goal is to open more locations and to possibly tap into state or county programming funds that might offset the financial costs for members.
While the business has been open for less than a month, the response — and the emotions — swirling around its support and opening has been overwhelming, Hassan said.
“The first day we opened the door, seeing the first young lady coming here with a disability was actually, it was emotional for me. And just keeping seeing them coming always is emotional…it took a long way to come here,” she said. “And my son has his own struggles. He has his own challenges. And this, for him, to come and play and have fun is something which is heart touching.”
More details on The Sensory Club Austin is available online and on the business’ Facebook and Instagram.
