Staff at tech company donate time to paint sensory room at special school

By Paddy Henry

Kind-hearted staff at a city-based cyber security company have decided to give a little back to the community – by painting a new sensory room at the Ábalta special school in Parkmore.

Rapid7, chosen the job this month as part of their ‘Rapid7GivesBack’ initiative, where staff take the day off work to give something back to the community.

Ábalta is a special school for students with autism and complex needs and provides individualised programmes using evidence-based teaching methods for each student through high staff to student ratios.

Staff members from Rapid7 painted the school’s new sensory room, in preparation for its full fit-out in the coming months.

School Principal Maura Madden spoke to the Galway City Tribune about the necessity and importance of the sensory space for the school’s pupils.

“Students with autism have significant sensory needs and in order to provide positive sensory experiences for the students the school needs to have an adequately resourced sensory room.

“Sensory needs in the school are addressed though intensive occupational therapy interventions by the school’s occupational therapist. Communication programmes are delivered by the school’s speech and language therapy consultant.

“The multi-disciplinary team of teachers and therapists ensures the delivery of educational programs which are tailored to the needs of each student as well as supporting those students and their families”.

Maura also spoke of her gratitude towards Rapid7 and everybody involved in the charitable cause.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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