Families release sensory kit aimed at making arena experience more inclusive

The sights, sounds and smells that make a game exciting for many fans are often the same ones that make the spectacle of sports overwhelming for others.

The sights, sounds and smells that make a game exciting for many fans are often the same ones that make the spectacle of sports overwhelming for others.

That’s why Kodette LaBarbera and Paige Dowd have designed a new sensory kit aimed at making people who are on the autism spectrum, neurodivergent or simply overstimulated by roaring arenas feel more secure at sporting events.

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It’s something that hits close to home for both women.

Dowd is a trained autism therapist who studied speech pathology at Minnesota’s St. Cloud State University. Her husband Nic plays hockey for the NHL’s Washington Capitals.

Kodette’s husband is Calgary Flames goalie coach Jason LaBarbera. Their son Ryder was diagnosed with autism when he was three.

“With Jason’s career, we always had the safety of a wives’ room,” she said. “I could stay there with Ryder if it was too overwhelming.

“But obviously, everybody who’s coming to a game doesn’t have that backup plan — just the ability to help people with any kind of sensory disorders, autism, anxiety — just to stay a little bit longer and kind of enjoy the things that their families enjoy — and they may want to enjoy — but they just can’t tolerate the stimulation that surrounds them coming to a game.”