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The Brooks Band* was born from a deeply personal experience that changed my perspective on the challenges faced by neurodiverse children. A significant child in my life, Brooks, is a vibrant and energetic 5-year-old on the autism spectrum. While spending time with him, I quickly realized how difficult it was for him to regulate his voice. His loudness wasn’t defiance—it was simply a lack of awareness of how his volume affected those around him. At home, the overwhelming noise made it hard for me to find peace, and I saw firsthand how it impacted both him and those around him. His teachers shared similar concerns, as his voice frequently disrupted the classroom environment. Despite recognizing the issue, he struggled to adjust his volume on his own, and constant reminders only created frustration.
Determined to find a solution, I searched for tools that could provide real-time feedback—something simple, effective, and empowering. I wanted to help Brooks develop self-awareness without relying on constant verbal cues from adults. But after searching extensively, I found nothing that met his needs. There were plenty of tools for tracking behaviors or providing general sensory support, but nothing designed to help children actively regulate their own voice volume in the moment. It became clear that this wasn’t just a challenge Brooks faced, but a widespread gap that needed to be filled.
That’s when I set out to create the Brooks Band*—a tool that could help children like Brooks become more aware of their voice in a way that felt natural and supportive. My goal is to offer something that empowers children to take control of their self-regulation, reduces stress for families, and fosters a more inclusive environment in schools and social settings. Sensory Bridges proudly received the MocsInnovate! grant from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to support the creation and future commercialization of the Brooks Band. This journey has been humbling, but it has also reinforced my belief that the right tools can transform daily life for neurodiverse children and the people who love them.
*Patent Pending
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