A sensory-friendly summer playgroup designed to support children with autism and other communication needs was recently held in Muscat, offering an inclusive model of therapy through play. The two-week program, named Gentle Adventures, took place at Al Harub Medical Centre (AHMC) and focused on creating a calm and flexible environment tailored to each child’s sensory and developmental profile.
The playgroup was led by Pristine Sara George, a Speech and Language Therapist at AHMC known for adapting communication support to Oman’s diverse communities. Gentle Adventures aimed to provide children with sensory sensitivities a space where they could explore and learn without pressure to participate uniformly. Activities were carefully modified based on individual comfort levels, allowing children to engage at their own pace or step back if overwhelmed.
Each week followed a different theme — the first centered on sea life and the second on farm animals — featuring sensory bins filled with varied textures, table-based play, movement, and shared group experiences. George emphasized the importance of children observing one another in a natural setting, which fostered social communication skills like learning new vocabulary, practicing attention, and gradually increasing comfort with interaction. She described these peer dynamics as facilitating social understanding and pragmatic language development in a low-pressure way.
The initiative builds on George’s previous work creating culturally relevant therapy materials in Oman, including a “Ramadhan Edition” of a speech therapy toolkit designed to help children participate in the holy month’s social and religious practices. This approach addresses a common gap in the region, where many therapy resources are imported and often lack connection to local cultural rhythms.
Dr Nutaila al Kharusi, Managing Director of AHMC, praised the program for its innovative and sensitive approach to care. “It was lovely to see the children learning, exploring and connecting through play, while having a space that was sensitive to their individual needs,” she said.
Parents of participants reported positive changes at home. Selvi, mother of seven-year-old Yugaan, described the playgroup as essential for her child’s holistic development, highlighting its role in encouraging natural communication and social engagement. Nasser, father of five-year-old Zakariya, expressed gratitude for a program that recognized and accommodated individual sensory needs. He said the activities introduced his son safely to new textures, sounds, and environments and called for more opportunities like Gentle Adventures in the future.
As families in Muscat seek greater inclusion for children on the spectrum, initiatives like Gentle Adventures demonstrate that environments designed around children’s specific needs can foster meaningful learning, social connection, and enjoyment.