Community & Family Resources
At Soulfee Project, we believe empowerment comes through connection. We’ve gathered these resources to help our families navigate the world of adaptive arts, sensory support, and local advocacy.
Sensory & Adaptive Tools
How to Use This Guide
Don’t feel like you need everything at once! Start with one "calming" tool and one "focus" tool. Observe which ones your child gravitates toward during their creative time.
Soulfee Tip: Always introduce a new sensory tool during a "regulated" time (when your child is already calm) so they can explore it without pressure.
The Soulfee Sensory Kit: A breakdown of the weighted lap pads, noise-canceling headphones, and fidget tools we use in our sessions.
Weighted Lap Pads: Great for transition times or seated art projects. They provide "deep pressure" that helps calm the nervous system.
Noise-Canceling Headphones: Essential for children who are sensitive to environmental triggers. We use these during high-energy dance segments to keep the experience enjoyable.
Controlled Soundscapes: Using a consistent "start" and "finish" song for activities helps create a predictable routine.
Fidget string & Textured Rings: These provide a quiet outlet for restless hands during storytelling or instructions.
At-Home Movement Guide: Simple rhythmic exercises to encourage motor skill development between classes.
Local Accessibility Guides
Museums & Science Centers
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) (Seattle, WA): Offers specific Sensory-Friendly Days where sound and light levels are lowered across all galleries
The Museum of Flight (Seattle, WA): Provides Sensory Days, a free early-access program for families to explore with adjusted lighting and hands-on activities.
Hands On Children's Museum (Olympia, WA): Features a permanent sensory-friendly room and dedicated early-access hours every Sunday.
Theaters & Performing Arts
Seattle Children’s Theatre (Seattle, WA): Leading the way with "Access Performances" that combine sensory-friendly settings, ASL interpretation, and audio description.
Pacific Northwest Ballet (Seattle, WA): Offers Sensory-Friendly Performances with relaxed house rules (freedom to move and exit) and sensory support kits.
Parks & Adaptive Recreation
Seattle Parks & Recreation{(Seattle, WA): Their Specialized Programs unit offers everything from adaptive dance to inclusive summer camps and fitness classes.
Federal Way Inclusive Recreation{(Federal Way, WA): Features a robust calendar of "Friendship Theatre" and adaptive trips to local attractions like the Seattle Aquarium.
Metro Parks Tacoma{Tacoma, WA): Provides a wide range of Adaptive Recreation opportunities, including wheelchair basketball and inclusive "Unified Adventures" camps.
Adaptive Arts & Tactile Expression
At Soulfee Project, we believe that every child is an artist. We modify our environment and tools so that physical or sensory barriers never stand in the way of a masterpiece.
1. Specialized Brushes & Grips
Traditional thin brushes can be difficult for children with fine motor challenges. We use:
Egg-Shaped & Palm-Grip Brushes: These allow for a full-hand grip, giving the artist more control and reducing hand fatigue.
Adaptive Foam Tubing: We wrap standard tools in soft foam to create a custom, comfortable diameter for any hand size.
2. Tactile Materials & Sensory Art
Art is meant to be felt, not just seen. We integrate "Touch-First" materials into every project:
Textured Canvas: We add sand, fabric, or raised "puff paint" borders to help artists navigate the boundaries of their work through touch.
High-Contrast Mediums: Using vibrant, thick-bodied acrylics and charcoal helps those with visual impairments see the bold impact of their strokes.
3. Story-Based Creation
Every art piece we create is a chapter in a larger story. We use tactile storyboards to help children "feel" the narrative they are illustrating, making the creative process a multi-sensory journey from beginning to end.
Support Services & Respite Care
Building a network of care for our families through specialized medical and relief services.
Local chapters for neurodiversity support in Federal Way and Tacoma.
Providence Center on Outcomes Research and Education (CORE): A resource for finding community health programs and specialized pediatric care coordination in the PNW.
Kindering: Provides comprehensive family-centered services, including physical and occupational therapy and specialized preschool for children with diverse needs.
The Arc of Washington State: A vital resource for families seeking respite care providers, advocacy, and navigation for state-funded support services.
Safe Crossings Foundation: Offers specialized emotional support and resources for children and families navigating significant life transitions and grief.
PAVE (Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment): A peer-led organization providing training and resources for families to access medical, educational, and respite support.