| Water Feature for the Autism Advisory Support Service |
Designer Green was approached in 2010 by Grace Fava from the Autism Advisory Support Service (AASS), a charity run by volunteers to help those with autism, their families and carers. Grace required a design for a Sensory garden for the visiting children and families to be able to enjoy.  The part of the sensory garden for the AASS constructed by the Designer Green Team was the interactive water feature. Grace’s initial ideas for the water feature included an antique manual hand operated water pump. The feature was to including bright colours, various textures, noise, splashing and flowing water. We ‘were thrown the ball’ from this point.  The pictures will show the feature starting with the antique manual hand operated water pump. The children can physically pump the lever and see the water flow out. This action allows for exercise and tuning of motor skills. It also teaches sharing and encourages children to take turns. Flowing from the water pump we used various bright coloured fibreglass troughs. We would like thank Pots Online for donating the colourful planter troughs to the AASS project free of charge. Each troughs base level was raised to minimise water depth for child safety and to create a greater effect over the various tiled and pebbled layers. The different surfaces are used are to arouse the children’s sense of touch with the flowing water over the top for play.  Custom made stainless spillways were installed to allow the water to flow from one trough to another. This water then flows into a retention reservoir at ground level which is covered for child safety. The water is then returned to the top of the feature from the retention reservoir via the next Child using the antique manual hand operated water pump. The feature will recycle water continuously.  Designer Green happily gives of our time freely and will continue to support AASS in the future. We look forward to working on future projects with the organisation.  If you are interested in a sensory garden for your child or group please contact us. We are able to tailor a design to suit your needs. We work closely alongside well respected Occupational Therapist and are able to assess any child’s needs and requirements. |
