This is our story.

Written by Tina Perriello and Alysia Butler,  co-owners of SenseAbility Gym.

We met when our kids were in preschool together in Hopedale at the Bright Beginnings Center.  Our kids, Henry and Anthony, are both diagnosed with autism and were part of the subseparate classroom program at the school. We became friends and talked a lot about trying to find a place where we could have a play date where our kids could play together (or separately) and where we could also talk to each other.  Sometimes, traditional play areas like playgrounds and trampoline parks are too overwhelming for kids on the autism spectrum, and even our own houses were hard to manage sometimes.

We came upon a local occupational therapy clinic that opened up to the public once a month in the winter for “open gym” play.  Families could come and pay by the visit so the kids could play on equipment that was familiar to them through their own therapies.  We took our kids to an open gym time and not only did they love it, but we did too.  It was the first time that we were able to talk to each other while our kids played freely and judgement free.  When we left, we knew we had to open a place like that that had access for families all year long.

Thanks to the help of friends, family and an incredibly supportive community, we created SenseAbility Gym.  We incorporated as a nonprofit since we knew we were filling a need in our community that didn’t exist, not just in the Hopedale area but in all of Massachusetts.  Through fundraisers, grants and corporate donations, we opened our doors to the public in February 2013.

Since that day we’ve welcomed in over 700 different families through the doors of SenseAbility Gym.  We offer the types of classes for children that didn’t exist before.  We have families using our space for their child’s birthday party, saying it’s the first time they’ve been able to have a party for their child.  We have created a space for children of all abilities to play together in that safe, judgement free place that we craved for our own children when they were young.  We have families that exchange emails and phone numbers after they’ve met at SenseAbility, making plans to meet up the next time.

There’s a cs lewis quote that says “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one.“  That’s exactly what families feel when they come through our doors – they’ve found a place where their family is accepted, understood, and welcomed.

What started out as a selfish need for us to find a space for our own kids has developed into so much more for our community.  We are grateful for every family who has walked through our doors and for everyone who has supported us along the way.

Space is limited in each class – call us at for more information and to register!

Auction Items:

Two Tickets to see Janet Jackson at the TD Garden on February 26, 2016 donated by Diamond Is The Sky

$200 gift certificate from the Hopedale Country Club for a foursome of golf with carts plus golf accessories donated by the HCC and The Haynes Family

Two original paintings by Sam Tomasiello, autistic artist

Autographed photo of Jared Sullinger, donated by The Boston Celtics

Autographed baseball by Jackie Bradley Jr, donated by The Red Sox Foundation

Autographed hockey puck by Seth Griffith of The Boston Bruins

Autographed photo of Jarod Mayo, donated by The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation

Raffle Items:

A $50 gift card to Wegman’s

A $100 gift card to Bob’s Discount Furniture

A family pass to Old Sturbridge Village

2 $50 gift certificates to Therapro

Raising A Sensory Smart Child Book donated by the authors (has a 5 star review on Amazon!)

A Stella and Dot bag and wallet

A $100 gift card to Yogibo

A $100 gift certificate to Sensory Goods

A $100 gift card to Clarks Shoes donated by The Fairall Family

A gift basket from The Pawsh Pooch valued at over $100

$50 Gift Certificate towards a developmental screening from Brain Fit Academy

4 tickets to Shear Madness

4 tickets to Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde and a family membership to The Hanover Theater

A cooler with amazing items donated by the staff at UniBank

A handmade pillow cover from Eco-Embrace

A gift basket of Ava Anderson products donated by Kim Walsh

Gift Basket of Avon Products ($80 value) donated by Christine Seaver

A $25 gift certificate to George’s Surf and Turf

A $25 gift certificate to An Unlikely Story

Four passes to the Roger Williams Zoo

$75 Gift Certificate to Artworks Studio

Gift Basket of Wildtree Products ($40 value) donated by Christine Seaver

Gift Card for One Mini Photography Session for kids or family donated by Bea M Photography

$25 Gift Certificate to The Town Common in Hopedale

$25 Gift Certificate to Runways Salon

$25 to Jenny Boston

$25 Gift Certificate to Ted’s Montana Grill

Chocolate Covered Oreos and a Gift Certificate to POP Culture Cake Pops

Early bird tickets are available at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/senseability-gyms-fourth-annual-foodwine-tasting-fundraiser-tickets-17726355005?ref=ebtn

The first 150 will receive a commemorative wine glass from the event.  Buy your tickets today!