HI HR167

Request Department of Education to implement sensory rooms for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in all Hawaii schools.

Sensory rooms are therapeutic spaces with equipment that provide personalized sensory input to help students with special needs calm, focus, and prepare for learning and social interaction.

Approximately 1 in 59 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder nationally; 1,600 children with autism received special education services in Hawaii during 2014-2015.

Program evaluation in Michigan found 56 percent of students showed increased engagement in classroom activities after sensory room intervention.

Implementation prioritized in this order: neighbor island elementary schools without special education classes, all other elementary schools, middle/intermediate schools on neighbor islands without special education classes, all other middle/intermediate schools, neighbor island high schools without special education classes, and all other high schools.