Get The Look: Amanda Booth's Cool, Modern, Sensory-Friendly Playroom For Her Son, Micah.

By Carissa Tozzi and Gena Mann

Our friend, Amanda Booth reached out to us to help her shop (on Amazon!) for the playroom she was designing for 4-year-old Micah in their new home. It was important to her and her husband, Mike Quinones, to incorporate a modern design aesthetic that would fit into the style of her home and be super functional to support Micah's sensory seeking / sensory craving needs.

Children who are sensory seeking, frequently lick, bite, and mouth non-food objects. They love jumping, crashing, climbing, and moving! It is important to have a safe place at home to meet your child's sensory needs as it helps with their self-regulation, mood, physical and emotional development.

We sent Amanda a mood board via Pinterest and a shopping list via email and she and her husband Mike got to work to design a space that was perfect for Micah—and them. 

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Kids Size Table And Chairs: Furniture that is sized appropriately to a child, fosters independence and makes children feel more physically secure. When your child can easily sit and get up from their chair, it empowers them to make decisions and do things for themselves.

Pretend Play Kitchen: The best toys for early speech and language development are those that create opportunities for language that is rich and meaningful in context. Look for toys, like a pretend play kitchen, that inspire children to request, show, share, role play, problem solve, ask for help and make plans. 

Wall Bars: Climbing is a confidence-building and strength training activity for kids. Indoor equipment makes it easy for kids to exercise in any weather and at any time of day. 

Play Mats: No matter if your child is jumping into pillows strewn on the floor, a squishy beanbag or floor cushions, the proprioceptive sensory input your child receives from safe crashing is the same! A play mat is a must-have to keep your little one safe while they play. 

Sensory Swing: The swinging motion strengthens the vestibular and proprioceptive systems by teaching your child’s brain and body to work together. This sensory integration greatly improves your child’s coordination, balance, body awareness, and concentration. Swaddling gives children a sense of protection and blocks out unnecessary sensory input.

Rody/Plasma Car/Sit and Spin: These ride-on toys offer kids an opportunity to strengthen core muscles, develop gross motor coordination, and challenge balance skills, all while offering combined vestibular and proprioceptive sensory input! 

+ Shop Our All Of Our Favorites Here.

Find Amanda, Mike + Micah on Instagram.

Mom + Friends: Debbie Reber Is New York Times Bestselling Author, Life Coach, Podcast Host, Speaker + Homeschooling Warrior. This Is Her Experience Raising A Differently-Wired Child.

When Debbie learned that her son Asher was diagnosed as twice exceptional (he has ADHD, Asperger’s, and is highly-gifted), she spent years figuring out how to best support him in school and in life. What she discovered is that it was incredibly difficult to find one resource that could provide both the support system she needed and reliable, useful, and most of all optimistic information so she could put a plan in place for getting Asher what he needed. Since what she was looking for didn't exist, it became Debbie's mission to help millions of parents like her feel connected as they move forward in a way that feels positive and hopeful for the whole family. In 2016 she created TiLT and the TiLT podcast series featuring high-profile parenting experts and educators, as well as conversations between Debbie and Asher. And her new book was just released: Differently-Wired. Raising An Exceptional Child In A Conventional World, which is both a memoir and a manifesto...and you will find that it is the perfect companion as you embark on your own special needs parenting journey. 

5 words that describe your “job”:

Mom in the trenches. Teacher. Doer. Changemaker. Folder of all the clothes.

Your child's name and age: Asher, 13

How does Asher inspire you?

Asher inspires to me to do the work of digging into everything that makes me uncomfortable and uneasy; to love learning and the quest for knowledge; to question everything; to develop more patience and presence; and to stop being attached to outcomes and just focus on living this beautiful, precious life. 

What’s the one thing you wish people knew about Asher?

I would want people to know that while sometimes it may seem like Asher’s not tuned in or paying attention to you, I can almost guarantee you that he’s taking it all in and more. He’s listening to everything you’re saying, processing it, making connections in his mind between your ideas and his vast knowledge bank so he can better understand your thinking, and experience deep empathy with you.

What is an activity your whole family loves to do together?

Travel. We’ve been living in Europe for the past five years and, as a result, have gotten really good at exploring new countries and cultures together. Discovering new places and foods and nature together while being squarely outside our respective comfort zones has brought us so much closer and connected us in wonderful ways.

How do you survive a tough day of parenting?

My first survival strategy is being proactive and setting myself up for being in the best possible headspace by beginning my day with yoga. That has helped me... a lot. On really tough days, I do my best to get through difficult moments by removing myself from situations where I’m getting triggered and doing something to help me shift my thinking, like taking deep breaths, or listening to music, or putting on my headphones and playing some music on the keyboard. I also text my husband to vent so I don’t feel like I’m completely alone, and he’ll always respond with some encouraging words or offers to take care of dinner or help out in some other way so I can do what I need to do to recover. Then, as soon as I can get away, I get out for a walk or run and listen to a podcast while doing so. Just being out and moving my body works every time. Lastly, no matter how rough the day was, I make sure to reconnect with Asher at bedtime and push the virtual “reset” button so we can start the next day fresh.

What is the one thing Asher cannot live without?

These days, it’s his laptop. Asher’s personal interest lies in typography, creating mods and modpacks for Minecraft, and designing rockets in Kerbal Space Program. He also needs his computer for Skype, as it’s through Skype and weekly online hangouts that Ash has stayed connected with his best friends since moving abroad. 

What’s the one thing you would drive back to get if you forgot it when you went out with your child?

Asher’s Kindle. Asher is a voracious reader and tuning out the world and diving into a book has been his best strategy for re-regulating in just about any situation. Also, tissues (especially during hayfever season).

Asher's favorite app?

Asher doesn’t have a smartphone (he’s the only teenager I know who is actually anti-phone!), nor does he use an iPad, so doesn’t really use any apps. He does use iTunes so he can download and listen to music, usually Hans Zimmer soundtracks.

Your favorite clothing brands/styles for Asher + why?

We are in a big H&M phase at the moment, as Asher is all about monochromatic basics—black and black, blue and blue, and gray and gray. He is anti-branding on all clothes (always has been) and, unless it’s his Kerbal Space Program or Skeptics Guide to the Universe t-shirt, he won’t wear anything that has writing or images on it. With that said, he did just get a new pair of Timberland boots which he’s pretty jazzed about, and lately, he’s been sporting his New York Yankees that he received as a gift last month. 

What is the last thing you purchased for yourself that made you really happy?

We were in Morocco a few months ago and a vendor in Marrakech souk had these beautiful leather purses hanging in front of his shop. I walked past them every day, and by the last day, knew exactly which one I wanted. But I also knew that you’re expected to bargain and, as an introvert who avoids conflict, I was totally intimidated. Yet, I wanted that purse. So, I read up on how exactly to “haggle” for something in Marrakech, enlisted Asher to be my “wingman” and off we went. I did what the article said—looked at bags other than the one I wanted, asked some prices, feigned disinterest, threw out a much lower price, listened to his counteroffer, feigned more disinterest, flipped through some different purses, suggested a counter-counter offer, and closed the deal, paying the price I had decided was my goal before I even started. Can I just say how much I love that purse?! It represents more than a keepsake from Morocco—I pushed myself way outside my comfort zone to buy it. Achievement unlocked!

What advice would you give to a new special needs mom (or dad)?

I would remind them that it’s okay to feel sad and mourn the parenting journey they were expecting that now suddenly seems to have veered from the tracks. I would encourage them to do what it takes to lean into who their child is and be curious and creative in forging their path.  And lastly, I would encourage them to trust that they are the perfect parent for their child—they are resourceful and whole and have what it takes to help their child thrive.

What quote do you live by?

My favorite quote at the moment is from Neale Donald Walsh: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” I love this quote because it reminds me that anytime I’m feeling worried or uncomfortable or scared or vulnerable or any other less than pleasant emotion, I’m actually right where I want to be. I know by now that it is in those spaces that the really great stuff happens. So instead fighting the discomfort, I go all in. 

Mom + Friends: Fashion Designer Molly Salvi On Autism Spectrum Disorder + The Relationship Between Her Two Young, Beautiful Daughters.

We fell in love with Molly Salvi owner and designer for Squash Blossom Vintage when she posted this message for Autism Awareness Month on her Instagram.

"Every picture tells a story + this is a good one Y'all. It’s autism awareness month and anyone who is lucky enough to know a special person on the autism spectrum like my Zuzu would likely note that connecting with people + social situations are particularly challenging for these friends. This includes siblings and people who are closest to them which I can say for myself has been heartbreaking over and over again. Susannah has worked with teachers, therapists and tutors since she was 18 months old to learn how to do things that many of us take for granted- making eye contact, playing with other people, tolerating environmental sensory sounds and feelings, understanding what people are saying to her, and letting others be close. Her absence of speech makes it even harder for her to connect with people. When Louise was born, Susannah wouldn’t acknowledge her and would not for the next two years which was another heartbreak. Over time she began to slowly allow Louise into her space and very recently, Susannah starting looking at her. She began to see her for the first time. She ran and danced around her to show her she wanted to play. Here in the garden, today two sisters danced to bluegrass with eyes locked and laughter so intoxicating it brought me to tears. There’s always hope and there will always be better times ahead - you’ve just got to put in the excruciatingly hard work and keep charging up that mountain like my girl, refusing to let the weight of her challenges hold her down. So much love to all of you friends on the autism spectrum and the people who are lucky enough to know you ♡ "

Read more about Molly, Susannah (Zuzu) and Louise...

5 words that describe you...

natural, dream, organic, simple, vintage

Your children’s names and ages:

Susannah (4 1/2), and Louise (3)

How do your children inspire you?

They inspire me to keep doing the things I loved before they were here. I want to be me for them through and through. I play music and try to keep growing my business and love taking classes when I have time. They’ve also taught me to slow down and have a little more patience.

What’s the one thing you wish people knew about Zuzu?

I wish people knew Zuzu was really smart, funny, and actually, loves people even though it may not seem so. Zuzu is still non-verbal and her silence can appear to be unfriendly or indicative of wanting to be alone but that’s not the case. Her eye contact is something she continues to work super hard on too. She is very loving and really likes people.

What is an activity your whole family loves to do together?

We love to hike, swim in the river, and road trip.

How do you survive a tough day of parenting?

On especially rough days I’ll buckle the gals in the car, put on a movie and talk to a girlfriend or listen to music while we drive through the country.

What is the one thing in your play space your children cannot live without?

Our garden. The girls practically live in it year round. They like to help us water all the flowers and vegetables and Zuzu's favorite thing to do is run out and pick all the ripe strawberries!

What’s the one thing you would drive back to get if you forgot it when you went out with Zuzu?

Snacks for sure.  She’s always hungry!

 Zuzu's favorite app?

So far we haven’t used any with her.  

Your favorite clothing brands/styles for Zuzu + why?

Zuzu wears a lot of vintage clothing since that’s what I do. We love Mabo kids and Hanna Andersson for everyday basics because they hold up so well and are comfy for her.

What is the last thing you purchased for yourself that made you really happy?

I got myself a pair of Cobra Rock boots out of Marfa, Texas that I had wanted for a long time.

What advice would you give to a new special needs mom (or dad)?

I’d say to just trust that things will get easier and way less scary. In the beginning it seems like life with never be normal and eventually you find it’s actually so much better. You get to see the world in a different way and you quickly learn to not take anything for granted: every milestone they hit is means for celebration because it was fought for! Life simplifies and you realize that having a healthy child is all that really matters.

What quote do you live by?

“Comparison is the death of joy”.  Mark Twain 

Follow Molly on Instagram and shop her handmade and vintage collection!