A dorm room of his own

Most college students are familiar with the concept of living in a dorm or apartment, but for Ivy Tech Community College sophomore Kameron Breedlove, who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and lives with his parents, it took the help of Design for the Senses interior design company to have that same experience when he enters his bedroom.

“It’s set up so that Kameron can do a lot of things in one room,” his mother Melissa Breedlove said.

During Christmas break about a month ago, members of Design for the Senses remodeled Breedlove’s room to fit his needs.

The company specializes in designing and building rooms for kids with special needs, especially those diagnosed with autism.

Melissa Breedlove said the first thing people notice in the new room is the bed, which was moved from the middle of the room to the corner with plenty of padding to make it easier for her son to sleep at night.

“It’s like having a nest,” she said, smiling.

To the right of his bed, designers Janell Yonkman and Becky Gavin added a reading space that includes a swivel chair and a red bookcase where Breedlove can easily access his books.

“I like red,” he said. “It’s one of my favorite colors.”

Off to the left is Breedlove’s study area.

”It’s been easier for me to organize stuff,” Breedlove said. “I didn’t have a whole lot of organization tools at my disposal when I was in my old room.”

The room was customized to fit Breedlove’s interests so that, even though he’s living with his parents, he can have his own space.

“He really likes war planes, so they kept that theme going throughout the room,” Melissa Breedlove said. “There are lots of planes hanging on the walls.”

For the room, Yonkman and Gavin chose specific tones — blues and greens — since the room used to be all white. Breedlove said he did not want wallpaper because he recalled a time when he had to strip wallpaper in his house and it was “a really big hassle.”

Breedlove is still getting used to the change, but his mother said they may consider adding a sheepskin rug so that he can feel the soft texture right before he goes to bed.

“We all deserve to have a space we can call home and enjoy retreating to,” Yonkman said. “And kids with disabilities sometimes require unique design concepts to make their spaces relaxing for them.”

Yonkman has been providing outpatient occupational therapy for several years.

“I always thought the spaces kids spend the most time in is where changes could be most beneficial,” she said.

Yonkman hired Gavin, who had done some design work in her own home, after finding out that she was a licensed speech therapist.

 With Gavin’s background in speech therapy and hers in occupational therapy, Yonkman launched Design for the Senses in fall 2010.

A typical interior design project can take anywhere from several weeks to just a few days, depending on the goals of the family and child, Yonkman said.

Breedlove said the greatest gain he has received from his new room is “being able to live a little bit more independently and having a little more confidence.”

“I like it all pretty much,” Breedlove said. “I mostly like the thought of being more independent so I can live somewhere like Louisville or Indianapolis
someday.”