In a step towards inclusive and child-centric healthcare, Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi has inaugurated a sensory garden designed to support the emotional and developmental needs of children with neurodevelopmental conditions such as cerebral palsy and autism.
The sensory garden, named Umang Vatika, is the first of its kind in a government healthcare institution in North India, marking a significant shift in how public hospitals approach paediatric care.
A sensory garden for neurodivergent children is a specially designed outdoor space that stimulates the senses (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste) and incorporates movement and balance in a calming, organised way. It helps individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions manage sensory input, reduce anxiety, improve focus, and foster exploration, communication, and social skills in a safe, predictable environment.
The initiative assumes much significance as Safdarjung Hospital’s Child Development Centre (CDC) treats nearly 10,000 children annually with neurodevelopmental conditions, including cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, epilepsy, and other neurological conditions.
Speaking about the initiative, Dr Rachna Sehgal, Professor of Paediatrics and Paediatric Neurologist at Safdarjung Hospital, said that the sensory garden has been conceptualised as a therapeutic, dignified, and nurturing environment where children can explore their senses safely.
“It is designed to provide auditory, visual, tactile, vestibular, and movement-based stimulation, which is critical for children with sensory processing challenges. Features such as wheelchair-accessible swings, ramps, textured sensory pathways, mud pits, soothing sounds, visual art installations, and QR-code-enabled audio experiences allow children to engage with the space according to their individual sensory needs,” she said.
For children with neurodevelopmental conditions, sensory stimulation is not a luxury but a necessity, Dr Sehgal added.
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Stressing the importance of sensory stimulation for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, she said, “Just as a balanced diet is essential for physical health, a ‘sensory diet’ is crucial for their neurological development.”
According to doctors, many of these children who receive treatment for neurodevelopmental disorders require long-term therapy and repeated hospital visits. Therapeutic care for these children will be provided under the guidance of trained professionals, including occupational therapists, speech therapists, audiologists, and paediatric specialists.
Children visiting the CDC will be able to use the garden in both semi-structured and unstructured ways as part of their developmental therapy.
In addition, children admitted to paediatric wards, especially those in the paediatric neurology unit, will benefit from the sensory garden during their recovery journey. Research shows that children heal faster and cope better with illness when play and movement are integrated into hospital care.
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A key feature of the sensory garden is its universal accessibility. The garden also aids children with mobility challenges, as it offers wheelchair accessible swings, merry-go-rounds, and pathways through thoughtfully designed ramps and equipment. For children with visual or hearing impairments, the garden offers multisensory cues that go beyond traditional play areas.
“This garden is a boon for children who otherwise experience hospitals as restrictive or intimidating spaces,” said Dr Sehgal. “Here, the hospital becomes a place of exploration, comfort, and joy.”
She says that globally, sensory gardens are increasingly being integrated into hospitals, particularly in the West, where they are used for both children and the elderly. International research supports the role of play-based, sensory-supported environments in improving emotional regulation, motor skills, attention, and overall development in children.
Dr Sehgal says that in India, sensory gardens exist only in a handful of locations, mostly in the southern states, making Umang Vatika stand out as a pioneering effort in North India’s public healthcare system.
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“The initiative also aligns with India’s IMNCI (Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses) guidelines, which recommend developmentally supportive care for children across age groups,” she adds.
