The Ultimate Multi-sensory Escape: Starlight Tunnel & Vibro-Acoustic Retreat
Transform any sensory space into a therapeutic sanctuary with our Fiber Optic Tunnel. Designed to cater to both active seekers and those seeking deep relaxation, this immersive environment offers a unique dual-mode experience. Users can choose to crawl through the tunnel for a tactile adventure or simply lie back and get lost in the mesmerizing constellation display projected onto the interior walls. Add the VibroAcoustic Mat for even more senses-soothing therapy.
For a 5-year-old boy in the Ohio foster system, peace was a foreign concept�
Having moved through multiple placements, he had never once slept through the night. His young brain was locked in a constant state of fight or flight, until he stepped into a small, glowing room in Belmont County.
“After he started to use the sensory room, he gradually started to sleep peacefully,” recalls Gloria Llewellyn, Superintendent and CEO of the Belmont, Harrison and Noble County Boards of Developmental Disabilities (BHN). “It made a huge, huge difference.”
This transformation is just one of the many success stories for Tomorrow’s Youth Project, a collaboration that is wellknown throughout Ohio, between county boards, Job and Family Services, Mental Health and Recovery Board, and the Juvenile Court. By moving beyond traditional service silos, BHN has created a model of trauma-informed support that doesn’t just ask what is wrong with a child, but what has happened to them.
Understanding trauma is one thing; treating it is another. BHN realized that traditional environments were insufficient for children whose brain structures had been altered by stress. They needed specialized tools to help the nervous system self-regulate.
To turn this vision into reality, BHN partnered with Southpaw to transform a modest reading den into a state-of-the-art sensory sanctuary. By integrating bubble columns and projectors, plus a mix of brand-new and traditional interactive wall panels, they created a dualpurpose environment: a chill-out zone to reduce scattered brain activity and a safe space to engage the senses and develop self-regulation habits.
The success of these spaces stems from a decade-long relationship with Southpaw, which acts as a strategic consultant rather than a mere equipment provider.
“The success isn’t just about the products that we bought from Southpaw,” Llewellyn explains. “When they worked with us to design the upcoming Noble County project, it all started with the critical architectural guidance that most would overlook, such as recommending rectangular rooms over squares to improve spatial flow.” Beyond the floor plan, Southpaw provides the critical training that site supervisors and therapeutic mentors need to utilize the tools to their maximum potential.
Today, BHN’s commitment to sensory health extends across three locations, including their preschool and main Belmont building. This continuum of calm supports children from infancy through early adulthood, ensuring that support is available early and often.
Pamela McCort, BHN Communications Director, emphasizes that these environments are the foundation of their mission. “We want to make sure our environments look, feel and are secure,” McCort says. “That way, when kids come through the door, they know that this is a place where they can be safe.”
Through Tomorrow’s Youth Project, BHN and Southpaw have proven that when specialized tools meet a compassionate strategy, the results are life-changing. These children are no longer just surviving their circumstances. They’re learning the self-regulation skills they’ll rely on for the rest of their much-happier lives.
WHERE CALM BEGINS AGAIN�
How Belmont County created a sensory sanctuary that helps children find rest, regulation and resilience
For children in the Ohio foster system, safety and stability can feel out of reach—but BHN is changing that. In partnership with Southpaw, they’ve transformed everyday spaces into sensory environments that calm the nervous system and support self-regulation. With tools like bubble columns, projectors, soft padding and interactive panels, these rooms offer both a peaceful retreat and an engaging therapeutic experience.
Calm, Color And Light— All In One Panel
This incredible sensory panel contains more than 1,000 iridescent marbles illuminated by diffused lighting. When the Marble Panel is turned on, the marbles deliver visual, tactile and aural sensory input, as well as a calming sensation. It might even make you feel good just by looking at it.
Interactive Marble Panel
Interactive Fun That Builds Skills
Southpaw’s UV Rod Panel is back and better than ever! With 96 colorful translucent pegs that light up when placed, it provides a fun, interactive way to strengthen fine and visual motor skills, balance, postural control, and even social engagement.
Relaxation You Can Feel
The Vibro-Acoustic Recliner delivers soothing vibratory input in both reclined and upright positions when paired with Southpaw Rovers or Stereos. Upholstered in durable, water-resistant Crypton fabric, it offers comfort and easy maintenance. For a gentle linear motion alternative, the Vibro-Acoustic Glider provides the same quality and fabric with smooth, rocking movement.
Vibro-Acoustic Recliner
A Multi-Sensory Journey
The perfect tool for relaxation, communication and self-expression, these panels have a patented “trail” design that encourages exploration, guiding clients from one texture to another. Supports cognitive development, fine motor skills, emotional regulation and sensory integration.
Sensory Fun You Can Touch
Each vibrant splat resembles a puddle on the wall, filled with exciting textures that invite sensory exploration and promote focus and relaxation. Use them in random groups for tactile engagement or as wayfinders to guide clients through a building.
Tactile Splats
Stars Above, Calm Below
Transform your ceiling into a twinkling night sky with Fiber Optic Ceiling Tiles. Pre-assembled and easy to install, each tile creates a stunning starry effect controlled by an included light source—perfect for calming, immersive spaces.
Super Controller
The Super Controller is the therapist-controlled wireless interface that connects the MSE+ wireless switches to all MSE+ Interactive products. It also allows the therapist to access 8 therapeutic programs with all MSE+ products: relaxation, catched, toggle, momentary, brightness, challenge game, sound sensitive, timer. The sound-sensitive program, when paired with QBall Wireless Microphone, can make every MSE+ Interactive product sound-sensitive. No need to purchase separate sound sensitive products!
Interactive Super Switch
Our switches are wireless and can be connected to any MSE+ Interactive product. With a range of 30', these switches have the capability to change the color of an unlimited number of interactive products simultaneously. They can also change videos on the MSE+ Interactive Video Player. The Super Switch features a rechargeable battery. Just plug it in overnight for a 24-hour charge.
The Super Switch can be used to develop specific switching skills across 8 modes of operation or operate simply as a color changer.
Interactive Power Cubes
Our Power Cubes are wireless, and connection to any Interactive product is quick and easy. The Interactive product turns whatever color is facing upward when the soft, multicolored cube is turned. With a range of 30', these switches have the capability to change the color of an unlimited number of interactive products simultaneously. Two AA batteries are included to power the cube.
Fiber Optic Ceiling Tiles
Elevate Your Sensory Toolkit with the U-Boat Spiral Disc
Why settle for onedimensional tools when you can have a total therapeutic system? We’ve merged the iconic, ergonomic shape of our Mini U-Swing with the vestibular support of the Spiral Floor Disc to create the U-Boat Spiral Disc. It’s more than just a piece of equipment; it’s a versatile solution for complex sensory needs. This hybrid design allows practitioners to easily transition between calming rhythmic motion and active postural challenges, providing the precise level of support and input required for successful sensory-based treatments.
USING NEUROSCIENCE AND SENSORY ROOMS TO HEAL CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
Every day, thousands of children across Ohio and West Virginia walk into classrooms, counseling centers and homes transformed by The Village Network� In each space, hope feels tangible� That’s because it has been woven into the routines, relationships and rooms that help young people find calm after a crisis�
Founded in 1946 after Reverend Clarence Kerr was inspired by Boys’ Town, The Village Network began as a home for boys in need of care and belonging. Nearly eight decades later, the organization has become a national leader in trauma recovery, serving youth of all genders and backgrounds through a range of behavioral health, foster care and educational services.
At the heart of this evolution is the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT)—a neuroscience-based framework developed by Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD. Rather than focusing solely on talk-based therapy, the NMT helps clinicians understand how early adversity disrupts the developing brain. Then, it uses specific, sensory-driven experiences to help it heal.
“Many of our youth have lived through abuse, neglect or constant chaos,” explains Dave Paxton, Chief Clinical Officer at The Village Network. “Their brains are wired for survival, not learning or self-reflection. Before they can talk about what happened, they first need to feel safe.”
Safety, both physical and emotional, is the foundation of healing. That’s why the first step in treatment within NMT isn’t talking to the patient. It’s calming them down.
When children are anxious or overstimulated, their lower brain regions—particularly the brainstem—dominate. These are the survival centers, responsible for heart rate, breathing and basic regulation. To reach higher functions like reasoning or empathy, those lower areas must first be soothed and organized.
This understanding inspired The Village Network to create Multi-Sensory Rooms. As you may know, these specially designed environments offer a place where patients can engage in activities that promote regulation, relaxation and focus. Here, movement, sound, light and texture become tools for connection rather than chaos.
Each client’s journey begins with a brainmap assessment, which helps The Village Network’s therapists understand their developmental history and current neurobiological needs. From there, these therapists use the sensory room to guide youth through calming or activating experiences—building self-awareness and control one moment at a time.
“Many of our youth have lived through abuse, neglect or constant chaos� Their brains are wired for survival, not learning or self-reflection� Before they can talk about what happened, they first need to feel safe�”
To bring these neuroscience principles to life, The Village Network turned to Southpaw, a leader in Multi-Sensory Room design. More than an equipment provider, Southpaw partners with schools and treatment centers to translate brain science into real-world environments that promote calm, focus and healing.
“We utilized insight from the NMT to help develop these rooms and determine which tools would best help the youth we serve,” says Paxton. “And Southpaw has been our partner in not just finding the right equipment, but also assembling it, setting it up, and providing ongoing training for our teams.”
Together, they curated spaces that balance stimulation and serenity. Each sensory room was carefully equipped to engage sight, sound and touch. A glowing Bubble Tube invites visual focus, while the Stereo Rover provides propioceptive vibration through the Vibro-Acoustic Platform, as does the mat under the Fiber Optic Tunnel and the Vibro-Acoustic Recliner, based on the music that is playing in the stereo. The Fiber Optic Tunnel surrounds children in soft light. All lights in the room can be controlled by the therapist or the child using the wireless Super Switch and Power Cube. The Super Controller gives the therapist eight different modes of operation to meet the needs of each child and provide a space that induces calm and awaken curiosity. The other important piece in each room is the Interactive Video Player that provides eight different therapeutic videos, or the therapist can add videos with themes known to calm the child.
Each piece was chosen with intention, as every light, sound and texture contributes to the therapeutic process. For example, gentle vibration can ground an anxious body. The result is a room that feels both magical and meaningful: a space where children can regulate, reset and rediscover joy.
The NMT method emphasizes that healing is most effective when activities match the child’s developmental stage and brain state. Southpaw’s sensory tools help make that possible. Whether a child needs heavy work for proprioceptive input, visual stimulation to focus attention, or gentle vibration to quiet the nervous system, the environment adapts to them, not the other way around.
“No two children ever have the same needs,” Paxton explains. “That’s why we appreciate Southpaw’s expertise in helping us select equipment that’s flexible, durable, and clinically aligned with our goals.”
As the rooms came to life across The Village Network’s facilities, the results were clear. Staff observed calmer behaviors, improved focus, and quicker recovery from emotional dysregulation. Children who once struggled to engage in therapy now had a bridge, a tangible method that helped them reconnect with their bodies and, eventually, work on dealing with their trauma.
Each sensory room is more than a collection of tools. It’s a statement of belief. Healing begins with empathy, and every young person deserves an environment designed for how their brain learns best.
With every calm breath, The Village Network and Southpaw are proving that when science and compassion meet, real change happens.
“No two children ever have the same needs,” Paxton explains� “That’s why we appreciate Southpaw’s expertise in helping us select equipment that’s flexible, durable, and clinically aligned with our goals�”
DESIGNING SPACES THAT HELP CHILDREN FEEL SAFE
How The Village Network uses sensory spaces to help children feel safe, regulated, and ready to grow
Across Ohio and West Virginia, The Village Network is creating environments where children can feel safe enough to begin healing. In partnership with Southpaw, they’ve brought the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics to life through thoughtfully designed sensory rooms that calm the nervous system and support regulation. With tools that engage sight, sound and touch, these spaces help children move out of survival mode and into a place where growth and recovery can begin.
Sensory Colors That Come Alive
The Marvelous Marble Panel combines mesmerizing movement, sparkling light and gentle sound for a full sensory experience. Over 1,000 iridescent marbles sit in a stainless steel grid illuminated by LED lights, offering tactile, visual and auditory stimulation. With the new color-changing LED option and handheld remote, clients can explore, spin and enjoy a calming, interactive experience like never before.
The Marvelous Marble Panel
Hands-On Glow
The Interactive Fiber Optic Light Source adds a colorful, attention-grabbing dimension to any sensory space. Low-voltage LED lights make it virtually maintenance-free, and wireless technology lets clients explore changing colors hands-on. Pair with a Super Switch, Power Cube or a Fiber Optic Spray Harness for endless interactive play and sensory engagement!
Relax And Feel The Sound
With a wireless amplifier that connects via Bluetooth to your music source, our Vibro Rockers create calming vibration and sound therapy experiences.
Roll In The Rover!
Including two external speakers, an AM/FM radio, CD player and the ability to connect to an iPad, MP3 player or other wireless device, the Stereo Rover allows you independent control of sound volume and vibration. It’s all housed within a sturdy birch cabinet that can be wheeled anywhere you need it to go.
Stereo Rovers
The Stereo Rover stereo is housed in a sturdy birch cabinet that includes a storage unit with one shelf, a 6-plug power strip, and wheels that allow it to be moved anywhere in the room. Each Stereo Rover includes an anchor on the top of the unit that can be used to attach an LED Solar Projector or Star Gazer (not included).
Wireless Vibro Rocker
Stereo Rover
Flexibility Meets Durability
Need a flexible solution for multiple clients? EZ Flex Mats are lighter and more portable than traditional mats yet durable enough for daily use. Customizable to any size and available in various colors, these mats feature built-in antimicrobial protection with a smooth, fold-free surface, reducing the risk of infections.
Endless Play And Possibilities
This versatile playhouse is easy to assemble and can be configured for specific therapeutic needs. Multiple units can connect to create a large, elevated play area that promotes gross motor skills and social interaction. Want to add tactile exploration and fine motor skills? Flip it upside down, add balls, and create a sensory-rich play pool. There’s also a removable doorway for private relaxation or sensory breaks.
Oscar’s Playhouse
EZ Flex Mats
Soothing Movement— Calming Sensory Play
Give your clients a comfortable seat to gain the benefits of vibratory and visual input. The LED lights gradually change color, enhancing the sensory experience, and the Simple Drain™ system makes water changes hassle-free.
Bubble Tube with Platform
Research-Backed Sensory Innovation with the Star Gazer
Experience the Southpaw Star Gazer, a professional-grade laser generator engineered for durability and therapeutic relief. Developed with the Hospice of Dayton, this robust unit is proven by research to reduce anxiety. Unlike standard projectors, it features an internal cooling fan for continuous use and a replaceable 3,000-hour laser, ensuring long-term value for any facility. Take total control of your patients’ environment with adjustable star speeds, optional blue or white nebula clouds, and a versatile timer that runs in 30-minute increments up to 6 hours or indefinitely. This is clinicalgrade relaxation built to last.
“For me, that was the missing piece� Designing these spaces isn’t my area of expertise, and Southpaw could handle that for us�”
TRANSFORMING CLASSROOMS INTO CALMING SPACES
The moment staff from the YMCA of Central Ohio’s Head Start program stepped into their first sensory-rich classroom, they could feel the difference instantly�
The lights were softer� The walls shimmered with color� The air itself seemed calmer�
For a team used to working with children struggling to regulate emotions and focus, it was more than just walking into a classroom. It felt like stepping into possibility.
More and more children were entering classrooms with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and sensory processing differences. They could be bright, curious learners, but their potential was limited by overly stimulating environments.
The staff knew they had to do something different.
“The moment we walked into one of these rooms, we knew this was what we wanted for our kids,” said Aden Kifle, Director of Behavioral and Developmental Support for the YMCA of Central Ohio. “The space felt safe, welcoming, and alive with opportunities for movement and calm.”
When Kifle learned that the space had been designed by Southpaw, she was intrigued. While exploring Southpaw’s website, Kifle realized the company offers more than just equipment. It specializes in helping schools design sensory environments that truly fit their students.
“For me, that was the missing piece,” she said. “Designing these spaces isn’t my area of expertise, and Southpaw could handle that for us.”
Kifle reached out through the online design inquiry form and was soon connected to Tom Marshall, Southpaw’s Director of MSE Sales, Training, and Product Development, who would do more than guide the YMCA’s sensory room transformation from concept to completion. He’d become a partner integral to its success every step of the way.
Together, they toured each YMCA Head Start center— Future Scholars, Cherry Creek and Watkins. Some rooms were blank slates; others needed creative solutions to meet licensing rules or maximize large open areas. In every case, the goal was the same: create spaces that sparked joy while supporting regulation and growth.
“The Southpaw team came to every site, took measurements, and asked all the right questions,” Kifle recalled. “Tom really listened to what our kids needed.”
This included data on how many required heavy work activities, who struggled with sensory regulation, and which behaviors teachers hoped to improve. Using that insight, he designed spaces that balanced safety, imagination and developmental goals.
Soon, Southpaw’s installation team arrived, delivering and assembling equipment directly at each site. The logistics were seamless, even with multiple centers across the region.
“They were very accommodating,” said Kifle. “Once the products arrived, the team came in and built everything out. They were wonderful, responsive to feedback and easy to work with.”
Each space came alive with tools that encouraged exploration and regulation: colorful Climbing Walls, Scooter Ramps, Sensory Activity Panels and calming Bubble Tubes. Every piece had a purpose: helping children develop strength, coordination, balance and selfregulation skills in an environment that felt joyful and safe.
When the rooms were finished, the reaction was overwhelming.
“The kids were amazed,” Kifle said with a smile. “They’d walk by as the rooms were being built and just light up. They couldn’t wait to climb, jump and explore.”
The impact was immediate. Teachers began seeing changes almost immediately, with calmer classrooms, more focused learners, and children who took pride in “their” space. Even small victories, like a child pausing to breathe instead of melting down, felt monumental.
“The biggest change is that we now have an environment that supports our kids, rather than expecting them to adapt to us,” Kifle explained. “We asked, ‘Why not adjust our environment to meet their needs?’”
Now, children who once struggled to focus or self-regulate have a space to recharge and refocus. Teachers have new tools to build social-emotional skills and teach selfregulation in meaningful ways. Even staff members who weren’t part of the design process have expressed awe at the transformation.
The YMCA’s partnership with Southpaw is just beginning. The team plans to continue training with Southpaw to ensure educators use the equipment not as toys but as structured tools for development. And they’re also dreaming bigger and hoping to expand the sensory environments to other Head Start locations as funding allows.
“It’s really about creating a better world for our kids,” Kifle said. “When we give them the right environment, we’re setting them up for lifelong success.”
The YMCA of Central Ohio is the largest provider of child care in the region, and for Southpaw, projects like this are more than installations. They’re acts of inclusion. Every sensory room built is a promise: that every child deserves a space designed for how they experience the world.
SPACES THAT MEET KIDS WHERE THEY ARE
How the YMCA of Central Ohio is reimagining classrooms with tools that support regulation, movement and joyful learning
As more children enter classrooms with sensory needs, the YMCA of Central Ohio partnered with Southpaw to create environments built around purposeful, therapeutic tools. These thoughtfully designed spaces balance energy and calm, giving children the support they need to regulate, engage and succeed. Here are some of the products helping to bring these environments to life.
Pop, Watch, Relax
Enjoy the visual magic of a Bubble Tube—without the maintenance. Popcorn Tubes deliver the same engaging sensory experience as standard Bubble Tubes; no water changes required.
Each tube includes a secure wallmount bracket for stability. Pair with wood-backed mirrors to enhance visual feedback with clearer, less distorted reflections.
Popcorn Tube
Slide Into Fun
Get sensory stimulation, heavy work, bilateral coordination and motor planning all in this fun activity, which can be used with the Steamroller Platform or as part of Southpaw’s In-FUN-ity™ system.
Steamroller Ramp
Squeeze, Hug, Calm
Get the perfect “just-right” squeeze with Squeeze Me! This cozy Lycra® pillow uses two inflatable peanut balls to deliver deep pressure and a calming hug, helping kids regulate while freeing up therapists’ hands for other activities.
Sit Back, Relax & Feel The Music
A vital component in every MSE+ room, this round, light-blue vinyl Wireless Vibro Bean Bag Chair has a wireless amplifier that connects via Bluetooth to your favorite music source.
Crystal Clear Reflections
Boost visual impact in any MSE space with wall-mounted mirrors designed for clarity. Wood-backed acrylic panels reduce distortion, creating crisp reflections that enhance light and sensory effects. Easy to mount, and built to elevate every experience.
Wireless Vibro Bean Bag Chair
Wood Backed Mirror
A Great Addition To An Obstacle Course
For young clients who crave deep pressure, the Southpaw Steamroller® is the perfect way for them to get it. They’ll love crawling between the rollers and using this tool to work on their motor planning skills, body awareness and shoulder stability as they play.
Press Play on Possibility
Put clients in control with the Interactive Video Player—an all-in-one, user-driven visual experience. Preloaded with calming scenes and fully customizable via flash drive, it lets therapists project engaging content anywhere in the room to encourage focus, movement and interaction. Compatible with the Super Switch and Power Cube, it turns every session into an immersive, responsive sensory experience.
Requires a compatible display such as a TV or projector (sold separately).
Steamroller Deluxe
Interactive Video Player & One Button Switch
NEW PRODUCTS FROM SOUTHPAW FOR 2026
The Cozy Cubhouse
A warm, calming space designed to support focus, creativity and skill-building. The Cubhouse features a cushioned bench with built-in storage, plus engaging panels for drawing, puzzles and handson learning.
Crafted from durable Baltic birch and set on locking casters, it’s easy to move, secure and ready for everyday therapy—helping kids build fine-motor skills, problem-solving and confidence in a space that feels just right.
The Cubhouse
The Dual Activity Tower
The Dual Activity Tower
Expand your therapeutic possibilities with a larger, more engaging Dual Activity Tower setup designed for movement, exploration and shared play. By connecting two towers, you create a flexible environment that supports motor development, sensory experiences and social interaction.
With increased panel space and interchangeable components, it encourages skills like coordination, motor planning, visualmotor integration and imaginative play—all within a durable, adaptable system built for long-term use.
Enhance the experience with specialized panels and attachments. The Staircase adds safe, supported access to upper levels while promoting balance and confidence. The Puzzle Panel builds visual-motor skills and problem-solving through handson, creative play. The Mirror Panel encourages self-awareness, imitation and sensory feedback with a safe, shatter-resistant design. To build, combine two bases, a connector, a door, stairs and nine panels. The result is a dynamic, customizable environment that grows with your therapy needs.
A cozy, portable retreat for calm and sensory exploration. The Zen Den combines soft seating, soothing LED lighting and fiber-optic strands to support relaxation, focus and engagement.
Tactile panels invite hands-on sensory input, while built-in storage and locking casters make it easy to move and use anywhere. Durable, flexible and immersive, it’s a go-to space for regulation, play and quiet breaks.
The Zen Den
The Zen Den
SOUTHPAW DESIGN SERVICES
Do you want to create a sensory integration room or an interactive multi-sensory environment that transforms a room into a life-altering experience?
SOUTHPAW OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE ROOM DESIGN SERVICES THAT INCLUDE:
THREE-DIMENSIONAL LAYOUT OF THE ROOM ITEMIZED QUOTE PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION SERVICES ON-SITE TRAINING SERVICES
Depending on the size and scope of the project, there may be a nominal fee, which will be credited toward a purchase. Proposals will be completed within 7-10 business days.
