Occupational therapist advocates for sensory friendly vaccination clinics in N.B.
An occupational therapist in Saint John, N.B. is advocating for COVID-19 vaccination clinics to be more sensory friendly.
Christel Seeberger has been working in health care for the last 25 years. As the founder of Sensory Friendly Solutions, she is working to help organizations and businesses in the province find ways to support people with sensory issues.
Seeberger says people who are susceptible to experiencing sensory overload may face additional challenges during the pandemic, including getting vaccinated.
“Getting vaccines is something that can be anxiety-provoking for many people. There’s a little bit of the unexpected and anxiety with the unknown,” she said.
Seeberger says the lack of accommodations at COVID-19 vaccine clinics in New Brunswick could be a barrier for those with autism, PTSD, and other sensitivities.
“The sensory experience is heightened going to get vaccines and becoming sensory-friendly really helps decrease that sensory overload and experience," said Seeberger.
These barriers are all too familiar to Trish Hamilton from Saint John whose 8-year-old son, Emerson, has autism and a sensory processing disorder.
“I'm no expert on sensory processing disorder or autism but I'm definitely an expert on my son. For him, it's about preparation. And I really think the majority of the heavy lifting is going to be left to the parent," said Hamilton.
Hamilton said the more parents can prepare their children for new experiences, the more comfortable they may feel.
“I would say the next most important thing from preparing children, is patience,” she said.
Once her son is eligible to get vaccinated, Hamilton would like to see a location in New Brunswick that can provide a comfortable environment for Emerson.
"Having a space where the parents are sort of working collaboratively with the clinic, would be the best-case scenario,” she said. “Anything that would touch your senses will touch their senses but by ten-fold.”
According to Seeberger, some things that can help accommodate those with sensory sensitivities include reducing large crowds, dimming harsh lighting, and limiting the level of noise.
At this time, Seeberger says there are no sensory-friendly COVID-19 vaccination clinics in the province. However, she’s hoping with more awareness, that will change soon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.