Houston, TX – February 12, 2025 – The Tuttle School is excited to announce the grand opening of its new sensory room, a state-of-the-art facility designed to support students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This milestone was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, February 12th at The Tuttle School.

Developed in collaboration with Amanda Perches, owner of Sensational Spaces, the sensory room features a variety of tools and activities that engage students’ senses in a safe environment. This specialized space is designed to enhance cognitive development, promote emotional regulation, and provide an enriching learning experience for students at Tuttle. Students can take breaks from class to self-regulate and then return feeling prepared to learn. Physical and occupational therapists often conduct sessions in the sensory room, where students can work on their motor skills in a more comfortable environment, rather than in the gym or hallway.

“We are so excited and grateful to introduce this sensory room as part of our commitment to providing individualized support for our students,” said Beverly Brinkmeyer, Director of The Tuttle School. “This space will be essential for our students’ intellectual, emotional, physical, and social development.”

“The sensory room has been a game changer for both our students and faculty. Faculty members feel better equipped to support students who need help with self-regulation and require a break from class time. Amanda designed this space with our students in mind, and they actively participated in its creation. They provided input on the equipment, light covers, colors, and more. This space sets a great example for all of Houston on how to create environments that better serve those who need sensory-friendly settings,” said David Mendlewski, Head of School at The Briarwood and Tuttle Schools.

The Tuttle School extends its gratitude to the generous contributors who made this sensory room possible: the Clark and Charlene Thompson Foundation, the Mackenzie family, and the Briarwood and Tuttle community. Their support will leave a lasting impact on our students’ educational journeys for years to come.

Media contact: Erin Gregg, egregg@briarwoodschool.org