Melbourne sensory gym: Ollene Cunden to bring autism-focused gym to Casey

A much-needed sensory gym for children with autism is proposed for Melbourne’s south east, with desperate families crying out for the service.

Chander Mittal, left, with his Shallu and their two children, Aarav and Arnav.

A dedicated ‘sensory’ gym to help children with autism experience the thrill of active play has been proposed for Hallam.

The gym, which is backed by experienced Berwick occupation therapist Ollene Cunden, would be the first of its kind in the area.

Ms Cunden has lodged $125,000 plans with the City of Casey to transform a space on Melverton Drive, in what she described as a “significant” personal investment.

Sensory gyms are designed to uniquely cater for people on the autism spectrum, and use equipment such as therapy balls, colour-coordinated climbing walls and trampolines to improve sensory input.

“It really helps kids cultivate their sensory system,” Ms Cunden, an occupational therapist of 15 years, said.

“I’m expecting hundreds of local families to benefit from the gym,” she said.

Ms Cunden said her gym would improve the sensory development of children with autism in a controlled environment.

The equipment and exercises aim to improve balance, co-ordination and understanding of cause and effect, and have the added benefit of relaxation and reducing the frequency and severity of mood dips, she said.

Despite it being one of the biggest local government areas in the country and demographically characterised by young families, there was no sensory gym in Casey or neighbouring municipality Greater Dandenong.

Chander Mittal, who lives in Cranbourne with his wife and seven-year-old twins, said a local sensory gym would make a significant difference to their lives.

Mr Mittal’s sons were diagnosed with autism at age three, and while he and his wife have long been cognisant of the benefits of sensory gyms, the closest is in Moorabbin.

“It’s really, really important,” Mr Mittal said.

“My children are very active, but after they use the gym they are notably more relaxed and clam.”

Mr Mittal said that if the gym was approved and operational by early next year, he and his wife could take theirs sons there as many as five times a week.