Sensory Rooms provide a person-centered, safe and nurturing environment designed to enhance the quality of life for individuals of all ages—and particularly those with physical and intellectual disabilities—through structured interaction and engagement with the room’s unique features. By nature, sensory rooms are relaxing and calming environments that offer a variety of sights, sounds and interactive elements that promote stress-free engagement and physical and intellectual development—especially for young children and individuals with disabilities. A vibrant combination of lights, sounds, textures, touch pads, swings and much more offer a variety of opportunities to explore while experiencing physical and intellectual benefits including:
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- Improved communication and social skills
- Enhanced concentration, focus and memory
- Promotes leisure education
- Reduced stress
Locations
Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services has three sensory rooms available for public use:
Jim Scott (formerly Providence) Community Center
Address: 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax VA 22031
Phone: 703-865-0520, TTY 711
The Jim Scott Community Center Sensory Room is located on the second floor of the Jim Scott Community Center at 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031. The Sensory Room offers a full slate of weekly programs including group sessions, 1:1 sessions and special themed programs for a variety of ages and abilities. All programs are led and/or supervised by full-time Inclusion Coordinator, who is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, as well as part-time staff trained in how to utilize the room. All programs and sessions are scheduled through the Inclusion Coordinator. Please see the list below for more information on Jim Scott Community Center's Sensory Room. To make an appointment and to inquire more about this space, please contact the Jim Scott Community Center.
Lorton Community Center
Address: 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton, VA 22079
Phone: 703-550-7195, TTY 711
Lorton Community Center opened on October 15, 2022, and features a small sensory room with some of the same features available at Jim Scott Community Center. Please call the center to inquire about availability.
Sully Community Center
Address: 13800 Wall Road, Herndon, VA 20171
Phone: 703-322-4475, TTY 711
Sully Community Center opened on September 17, 2023, and features a small sensory room with some of the same features available at Jim Scott Community Center. Please call the center to inquire about availability.
The below features are available at Jim Scott Community Center. Select features are available at other locations. Call for availability. 
"I visited the (Jim Scott, formerly Providence, Community Center) Sensory Room on the very first day it opened. It was so peaceful and quiet and I felt relaxed just being in the room. Then I started to have a regular session [at the Sensory Room]. Using the various activities, I could tell that my concentration and my fine motor skills were getting stronger. I came home from each session feeling less stress and tightness in my body. Even after two years I enjoy working out in the Sensory Room."