FOR FAMILIES · SPRING 2027

Information you can use before making a decision.

Considering Sensory Escape for your child? This page covers the questions families usually need answered: which records matter, how the Ohio Autism Scholarship works, what paperwork comes later, and what happens after an inquiry.

You do not need a completed enrollment packet just to begin a conversation. The program is for autistic and neurodivergent children ages 3–6, with weekday hours of 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and a 1:4 support model. Placement and service arrangements are not yet guaranteed.

WHERE TO BEGIN

You have three useful starting points.

Still exploring?

Start with Our Program to understand the age range, types of goals the setting may support, how sensory-informed strategies work and the factors considered in a fit review.

Ready to talk?

Use the Spring 2027 inquiry form. Our admissions process begins with basic details, followed by screening and, when appropriate, a private consultation invitation. The full process is explained on Start Here.

Already invited?

Follow the private instructions provided by the team. If you need help with an invitation, use the Parent Portal access request. Requesting access does not authorize an account or collect clinical records.

What is helpful for an initial conversation?

Think about your child's strengths and interests, communication methods, familiar routines, sensory preferences, areas where participation is difficult and the changes you hope to see. You can ask how the program intends to support transitions, support needs, family updates and applicable funding. You do not need to send private documents through the inquiry form.

For a closer look at who provides educational support, see our Intervention Specialist-led IEP goal support model.

OHIO AUTISM SCHOLARSHIP

Understanding the Ohio Autism Scholarship

Exploring scholarship-supported services?

Ohio's Autism Scholarship Program may help eligible children with autism receive special education and related services through participating providers.

Eligibility can depend on a child's Individualized Education Program (IEP), Autism Education Plan (AEP), and the state's requirements.

Sensory Escape's pediatric intervention program is coming Spring 2027. Enrollment inquiries are open now, with no waitlist. Provider registration, scholarship participation, available services, and funding arrangements must be confirmed before a scholarship-supported placement can be offered.

Families selecting a registered business provider should also review Ohio's home-education requirements.

Our team can help you understand the next steps, but scholarship eligibility and approval are determined through Ohio's state program.

Next step: Start a Spring 2027 family inquiry.

IEP

An Individualized Education Program is developed by a child's school district IEP team. It describes educational needs, goals, services and supports. A provider cannot independently change your child's IEP.

AEP

An Autism Education Plan may be relevant under Ohio's Autism Scholarship eligibility pathway involving a qualifying private autism diagnosis and a district-developed plan. Which pathway applies must be verified with the state and school district.

ETR

An Evaluation Team Report documents the school evaluation team's findings and eligibility determination. It may help explain educational needs when requested through a secure process.

Scholarship funding is not an enrollment guarantee.Provider approval, individual eligibility, plan requirements, authorized services and any charges must all be resolved. We will not represent Sensory Escape as an approved participating provider unless and until that status is verified.
DOCUMENTS & PREPARATION

Parent Handbook, Enrollment Forms & Medical Information

You don't need every document to begin.

After your initial inquiry and, when appropriate, a private consultation, our team will explain which documents are needed for your child's enrollment process.

Depending on your child's needs and applicable requirements, these may include:

Educational records

IEP, AEP, ETR, or relevant evaluations.

Family information

Guardian details, emergency contacts, authorized pickup arrangements, and communication preferences.

Health and safety

Allergy information, relevant medical history, individualized emergency plans, and medication authorization when applicable.

Policies and permissions

Parent Handbook acknowledgment, program consents, and applicable information-release authorizations.

Sensitive documents will be requested through an approved secure process, not the public inquiry form or ordinary email.

You will receive the applicable forms and instructions as your family progresses through onboarding.

What will the Parent Handbook cover?

The family handbook will explain arrival and pickup procedures, attendance expectations, health and medication policies, safety and emergency procedures, family communication, privacy and consent, and how questions or concerns are handled. Final policies will be provided for review and acknowledgment when they are ready. No public handbook or forms packet is being represented as final or available for download today.

COMMON FAMILY QUESTIONS

Clear answers to practical questions.

Do I need all my child's records to ask about enrollment?

No. The initial Spring 2027 inquiry asks for basic contact information and a short description of what you are looking for. If there may be a fit, we will explain which educational or other records are needed and how to submit them securely.

Does sending an inquiry put my child on a confirmed enrollment list?

No. It begins an initial review, not a reservation or admission decision. Consultations, program fit, available staffing, funding and a start date must be addressed before placement is finalized.

Can we book a consultation without an inquiry?

The public website does not offer an open consultation calendar. Families begin through the inquiry form. Following initial screening, a private consultation invitation may be sent when appropriate.

Does my child need an IEP, AEP or autism diagnosis?

Requirements vary with the service and funding pathway. The Ohio Autism Scholarship has its own eligibility criteria involving autism and qualifying educational documentation. An inquiry itself does not require uploading diagnoses or evaluations. Our team can explain which information is relevant to a potential placement.

Will the Autism Scholarship cover every service?

Not automatically. State eligibility, the participating provider, the child's approved educational plan, authorized services and funding conditions determine what may be covered. Costs, if any, and any available funding arrangement must be clarified before a scholarship-supported placement is offered.

What if my child has communication or intensive support needs?

We review the child's communication, sensory, regulation, supervision and safety needs individually. We must determine whether the program environment, qualified team, staffing and support arrangements can responsibly meet those needs. Age or diagnosis by itself does not decide fit.

Does Sensory Escape provide ABA, daycare or a traditional preschool?

No. Our model is a sensory-first pediatric intervention program, not an ABA provider, daycare or before/aftercare service. It is not the same as an open-play gym. We can discuss how a proposed educational or developmental plan may relate to your child's needs.

Will my child automatically receive OT, speech and physical therapy?

No. Any clinical therapy depends on a qualified clinician's judgment, your child's needs, applicable authorization and staffing availability. These services are not an automatic daily bundle.

Can Sensory Escape change my child's IEP?

No. IEP decisions belong to the child's school district and IEP team. A participating provider may implement agreed services and, where required, supply progress information to the resident district; it does not independently replace the district's IEP responsibilities.

What days and hours will the program operate?

Program hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Family inquiries for Spring 2027 are open, but the specific opening date, individual start dates and placement availability have not yet been confirmed.

What does 1:4 support mean?

Our staffing plan is one direct-support staff member for every four children (1:4), with an Intervention Specialist leading educational instruction and Sensory Support Aides/Specialists assisting under that direction. This ratio does not promise dedicated one-to-one support; each child's individual supervision and support needs are reviewed before enrollment.

Who will help my child work on IEP goals?

An Intervention Specialist will lead and oversee instruction aligned with the child's applicable IEP goals. Sensory Support Aides/Specialists will help implement goal-related strategies in activities and routines and document observable progress under the specialist's guidance. A child's IEP remains the responsibility of the school district and IEP team; the services and reporting applicable to a placement must be confirmed during admissions.

How will families receive updates and share records?

We intend to use approved, role-restricted family communication and document workflows. Public forms and ordinary email are not appropriate for IEPs, ETRs, evaluations or medical documents. Private portal access and any secure upload process must be verified before families are instructed to use them.

FAMILY SUPPORT BEYOND ENROLLMENT

Your family's needs extend beyond a single program.

Not every family is looking for a pediatric intervention placement. Some are looking for connection, trusted community resources or activities that welcome their child's needs. Those are different conversations, and both deserve a clear path.

OUR SISTER NONPROFIT · 501(c)(3)

Stark Sensory Center for Neurodiversity

Founded by Sensory Escape's founder, SCN is a separate nonprofit working toward parent support, resource navigation, community education, sensory-inclusive opportunities and future respite programming.

The nonprofit's developing community initiatives are not the same as Sensory Escape's scholarship-supported pediatric program. Participation arrangements and availability must be confirmed before anyone can enroll in an SCN activity.

Learn about nonprofit family support →
EXTERNAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Where families can look today.

Our resource directory below links to Ohio's official Autism Scholarship guidance, Stark County developmental disability supports and OhioRISE. These organizations have their own eligibility and service processes.

You do not need to apply for Sensory Escape's pediatric program to explore these public resources or ask about SCN's community plans.

Explore official family resources →

Questions for SCN can be sent through the general contact form by selecting the nonprofit support topic. Please do not upload or include medical or educational records in public messages.

FAMILY RESOURCE DIRECTORY

Practical support and reliable places to start.

These official links cover both educational funding and day-to-day family support, including county respite and service coordination resources. Requirements, funding and availability are determined by the responsible agencies, not Sensory Escape or SCN.

COMING SPRING 2027 · ENROLLMENT OPEN

Start with your child's story.

A few details are enough to begin. We will explain the appropriate next step if the program may be a fit.

SEND A FAMILY INQUIRY