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The cost of sensory equipment

Hi. I have a disabled son who is profoundly deaf and autistic. We were lucky enough to have some fantastic family and friends organise a fundraiser so we could create a sensory room for him. It cost over £5000...and that was for a 1.75m bubble tube, optic lights, a prjector a few other bits and bobs. After shopping around on numerous sensory sites...i was shocked and disgusted by how much some of the products were ridiculously overpriced...simply in my opinion because they are "sensory toys". Just one example ROMPA ask almost 70 pound + vat + postage for a wooden chime set on strings. I would like to know opinions on the cost of sensory equipment...if its worth it the quality etc. Im looking to write an letter to my local mp obviously my opinion is a bit biased so any feedback or comments would be appreciated.
Replies
Ami xxx
Hi @abi1987
Some times when you look at sensory room equipment it certainly seems difficult to see how the high cost of it can be justified, especially if it is going to be used in a domestic setting. This issue has been raised as part of Scope's Extra Costs work, see:
https://www.scope.org.uk/campaigns/extra-costs
https://community.scope.org.uk/discussion/29710/guest-post-the-special-needs-price-tag
Flagging up your feelings about this with your MP would be a good idea in my opinion.
Also there is more advice about campaigning at:
https://www.scope.org.uk/Get-Involved/Campaigns/Your-Campaign
It would be interesting to hear how you get on.
Best Wishes
Jean
https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-an-occupational-therapist
Jean Merrilees BSc MRCOT
You can read more of my posts at: https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-an-occupational-therapist
Thank you for your reply and advice. And thank you for higlighting those articles. In particular @LauraRutherford article. Its nice to know it isnt just me that feels this way. I have only mentioned sensory equipment in my post, but i agree with you it goes much further that.
Out of interest has any else written to an mp about this and had a response??