Sensory room at school raises ire of parent, but school defends its use

Connie Gneiting fully admits that her daughter, Kiera, has learning disabilities and anger issues, but she said when her daughter went to school years ago at Glacier Gateway, she was once put in a room with padded walls and Gneiting was never notified about it. Her daughter just revealed she was put in the room recently, and now, Gneiting claims, it has led to her daughter’s claustrophobia.

For its part, school officials don’t deny there is such a room — in fact they gave a tour of the room recently. Yes it does have padded walls. But is also has a large window and is well lit. In another part of the space, there’s a small tent. The room also has weighted blankets. They’re often used by autistic children to cradle for a sense of comfort.

Glacier Gateway principal Penni Anello said she couldn’t speak directly to Gneiting’s case — Kiera, who is now in middle school and in her teens, attended Gateway when there was a different principal.

But she did say that today, parents are notified when the room has to be used to calm their child. “I wasn’t told about it at any point,” Gneiting claimed. She said she couldn’t recall exactly when her daughter was placed in the room, but it was likely the third grade.

Gneiting said she probably wouldn’t have kept her daughter in school if she had known.

“It’s corporal punishment. You don’t do that to a child,” Gneiting claimed. “If I had known, I would have pulled my child from the school … if they’re going to use it, they need to inform parents.”

But school officials and special education teachers say the room is an effective tool. During the tour of the room, two teachers brought a young student down to the room who had been screaming in class. After a few minutes of quiet in the room, the student was able to return to class and was calmed down.

Prior to that, she could be heard screaming throughout the school.

There is a national trend to use “sensory rooms” Anello and special education teacher Michelle Swank said.

Autistic children in particular often have sensory issues, including sensitivity to sound and lights, particularly fluorescent lights. They often find solace in tents or quiet spaces.

The idea is to use the room when need be, and keep children in the regular classroom as much as possible, they said.

The school currently has five autistic children. The new Gateway Elementary School will have more natural lighting and classroom lights will be LED lights, Anello noted.

The school will also include a new sensory room as well, she said.

In addition, superintendent Dave Wick disputed the "corporal punishment" claim, noting the school hasn't allowed that for decades.