'The Cocoon' designed by Michael Sin from BJA Architects

The Cocoon

TaO Charitable Trust has a project to build The Cocoon - a centralised unit, a 'home' in which experts can gather and work together to provide an informed consolidated diagnosis and a unified plan of intervention to meet the unique needs of each child. This project is called "Making it Real".

The Cocoon will be a place of innovation and creativity, a place of fun whilst in the pursuit of excellence in all fields of learning, a place of respect and empowerment for the children and families living with Autism. The centre will grow as a learning organisation providing and fostering high quality professional services and opportunities for children, staff and community.

The purpose of The Cocoon is to promote the physical, emotional, cognitive and social development of children with autism, and vulnerable youth by providing a specialised learning programme, fun educational tools and support, aimed at helping parents, families, teachers and professionals, but foremost the children.

From within The Cocoon, we will deliver the Transcending Autism HPD programme, which is an intervention programme that is based on Holistic Perception Development principals.  This is a major programme as it is the key to rapid progression and long term change in communication and behavioural aspects for those living with autism.

We aim to maximize each child's potential for development by encouraging basic skills in movement, sensory, development, speech, music cognition and perception. To create a safe haven in which they can be encouraged into the 'learning state' and receive the highest quality holistic based programmes whilst having fun.

 

The Centre will be an example of Architecture for Autism. Some of the features considered will be..

• Reduction of Detail: Children with autism are unable to discriminate separate noises, shapes and space easily; complexity causes stress and so an environment that has a sense of order, calm and wellbeing will reduce tension and be conducive to learning.
• Levels of Light: Good natural light uplifts and assists in the visual understanding of space which can help reduce frustration and anxiety.
• Observation: To enable observation without being obvious thereby allowing the child to act and react freely helping students and professionals to collect correct data.

 

The Cocoon will consist of a central reception area giving access to each of the three therapy areas, to a central outdoor courtyard, to individual therapy rooms, workshop rooms and an administration area. The three therapy areas are..

• Hydro-Kinetic Pool: The wellness sessions begin in the pool. With the aid of the parent and the therapist, the child is supported in the water and slowly stretched. The water removes pressure from joints and radiates warmth into the muscles. The child has a sense of ‘just being’ and the parent gets to share this experience, it becomes a nurturing and re-bonding session for the mother/ father and child.
• Multi-Sensory Wellness Room: Multi-sensory therapy provides stimulating, yet relaxing activities that give the individual a sense of personal control without the demand for a particular performance outcome. The room will have a variety of hand-held objects that offer particular tactile or visual sensations.
• Music Kinetic Room: Provides learners with opportunities to simultaneously develop and mature brain systems. This room encourages a child’s discovery of specially designed movements on specially designed equipments. It helps the child develop music skills, language, math skills, concentration, creative thinking, endurance, power, rapidity and dexterity and its fun!

 

Our objectives and vision rely on the help and support of both the general public and corporate communities. Your participation in the building and funding of The Cocoon will enable the delivery of this amazing programme to 150 families per week.This is an exciting, unique and innovative plan and perhaps you can offer assistance be it by financial donations or sponsorship, or the sharing of knowledge, networks, and skills or products.

 

TaO Charitable Trust is grateful for your assistance and participation in Making It Real…