Sensory hour at library

[clinellwipe]

Once a week at our local library there is a ‘sensory hour for those who may otherwise find accessing a library difficult’ . The poster has the autism infinity symbol.

I take my 4 year old autistic child. Other regulars include a severely disabled adult with her carer and lots of mums with very young babies.

There is an interactive play mat on the floor that you can play with my jumping/hitting it. The mums put their babies on the mat so they can watch the games on it. My child gets very overexcited doing the jumping on it and generally being his sensory seeking self!

I’ve found that some of the mums get upset/cross that my child is being boisterous very close to their little one, which I do understand. I ended up take him home half way through as he kept nearly colliding with the babies lying on the mat.

The library is for everyone so I’m not suggesting the babies aren’t allowed, but I now feel like we are the ones who shouldn’t be there. My son loves it and of course it’s free but I feel like I’m gatecrashing a baby sensory class

I guess AIBU to have my boisterous /jumping autistic child at this sensory hour? He has never hurt anyone there, accidentally or intentionally

YANBU. It’s intended for children like your DS. They have plenty of other times when their babies can play on the mat if it’s such an issue for them or if it’s taken away then they could ask for a baby hour. If you don’t feel confident reminding the parents that it is intended for autistic and other SN then I’d speak to staff.

Thanks for responding. The interactive mat is only out during this sensory hour so yes the suggestion of a specified sensory baby hour in addition is a good idea!

Definitely talk to the staff and ask if they can amend the advertising to make it more clear who the session is aimed at.

Stand your ground and hold your head high.

The session is put on for children like your own.

It is not a baby hour.

I agree that approaching the staff with a suggestion that the sensory hour and a specific baby sensory hour are clearly advertised. They could even put a disclaimer on the 'regular' sensory session to say that babies are welcome but priority will be given to other users during that time so that it's clear it's not aimed at babies.

It depends what the intention is I think, so worth a chat with the library. Ours has a similar thing and the library have said it’s basically for anyone, not just those with autism for example, toddlers, babies, adults and children with additional needs etc, so if you were in my library you’d all be expected to share the space and nobody has any bigger right to be there than anyone else.

From your description it sounds like it isn’t a baby sensory class at all and is aimed only at children and adults like your son. They are essentially letting their babies get in the way of those who genuinely need the session and are then acting like you and your son are the problem. This would upset me too. I think you’re well within your rights to complain.

YABU if sensory hour is meant for BOTH babies and autistic adults/older children. The babies’ safety should be prioritized.

YANBU if only autistic people are intended to be there.