Dance-a-thon ‘thank you’ to help raise €5k for sensory pod

A SIXTH-class pupil is dancing his way to a fundraising feat of €5,000 to help buy a sensory pod for his Tallaght school.

Living in Millbrook, Jayden Stephens (13) is a proud pupil of St Dominic’s National School in Mountain Park.

When Jayden was diagnosed with ADHD and autism as a young child, his parents were told he would not cope in mainstream school.

However, according to Jayden he went to the “best” school, St Dominic’s, where he has had “so much help” from his teachers, SNAs and all the staff.

In his online fundraising appeal, Jayden said: “You see my brain works a bit differently to the other kids in my class and sometimes I find it very hard to concentrate, and understand what’s been taught – sitting still is hard for me too.

“My teachers found ways to help me learn in my own way.

“My SNAs and resource teachers gave me huge support too.

“I want to raise enough money to buy a sensory pod for the children behind me in school so they can have a break when they need it and then their day will be a bit easier.”

Jayden, who dreams of being a dance teacher one day, spotted a sensory pod in Old Bawn Community School when he attended a recent Open Day for first years.

Speaking with The Echo, Jayden’s mam Katherine said that a sensory pod is for anyone of any age.

Jayden when he was in junior infants

“It’s like a miniature sensory room and is for one child at a time”, Katherine said.

“It’s a room in itself and kind of looks like a little space shuttle.

“Kids struggling in the classroom can work in the pod with their SNA or any kid going to school with anxiety can go into the pod in the morning.

“It’s a calming space for anyone that might be struggling.”

Jayden did have access to St Dominic’s sensory room in the junior cycle but, due to demand, access is not always available for seniors.

“St Dominic’s is brilliant, and they are really trying,” Katherine said.

“But they don’t have the funding or the space for another sensory room.

“However, a sensory pod will work”.

As Jayden prepares to move on from St Dominic’s, the teenager and his family, who are Thomas Davis members, are expressing their gratitude to the school through a dance-a-thon for a sensory pod.

“Jayden received massive support from St Dominic’s, we are so grateful,” Katherine said.

“They’ve just been amazing, the principal, teachers, SNAs.

“Jayden is doing his fundraiser as a big thank you for all the support, it’s been unreal.”

On June 26, Jayden will do a dance-a-thon in St Dominic’s and teach a dance to each class – with everyone joining at the end of the day for a dance together.

Jayden has raised just over €4,000 so far.

To support the fundraiser visit: Jayden’s thank you & goodbye Dance-A-Thon for St Dominic’s on GoFundMe.