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At an Auburn Tigers football game early this season, Clinical Professor Ann Lambert met a family with a problem. They had eagerly arrived early for the game, but with three hours left before kickoff, one of the children was already anxious and ready to leave. Luckily, Lambert and Auburn University’s College of Nursing saved the day.

“A mom came to us and said her daughter was already upset and ready to go home due to the loud noises and big crowds,” said Lambert. “Within a few minutes of visiting the SOUND [Sensory Outreach Under Nursing Direction] trailer, the little girl was smiling and looked much more relaxed.”

While the Tigers are working hard on the field, nursing faculty and students are doing the same on the stadium concourses, staffing three different programs that make gameday a little more accessible for all.

“Families with small babies have a clean and comfortable place to breastfeed, bottle feed or change a diaper,” Lambert said. “And for individuals with developmental disabilities, we have a safe place where they can take a few minutes to remove themselves from an overly stimulating environment. They can then return to the football game and continue enjoying the day instead of going home.”

Tiger Babies

Back in 2015, the College of Nursing began offering Tiger Babies Breastfeeding Support on football gamedays. The program started with one tent and over time has grown to half a dozen dedicated breastfeeding areas in the stadium, including two breastfeeding pods. Tiger Babies has also expanded to several buildings around campus, as well as other sporting events. There’s even a certified lactation consultant on-site at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

In addition to teaching and supervising students, Lambert is a busy researcher studying the positive effects of community support on the length of time women breastfeed. Tiger Babies is one way the college can offer that support to nursing mothers.

 

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Everything SNASY

Going to Auburn football games is a tradition for Dale Jackson — one he doesn’t take for granted. Inspired by his autistic son, Jackson and his organization SNASY are on a mission to give those with special needs a chance to make gameday memories.

SOUND and SNASY

In 2023, the college began staffing a second resource, a sensory activation vehicle called SOUND, which is available for anyone who experiences sensory overload. Spearheaded by Associate Professor Morgan Yordy, SOUND is a quiet space away from the noise of the game, the vehicle features interactive sensory stations that can distract from an overstimulating environment and help reduce anxiety.

The most recent addition to the college’s offerings is SNASY, which stands for Special Needs Assistance Station for You. The result of a partnership with Jackson Services Heating and Air, the SNASY trailer offers a comfortable and inclusive environment for football fans with special needs. Anyone can utilize the SNASY trailer, which is a quiet, private space equipped with a changing table, a lift and hygiene supplies, at the stadium.

In addition to the trailer, there’s also a SNASY tent on Nicholls Lawn near the ADA shuttle drop-off location that offers families a place to rest on the often-stressful journey between the parking lots and the stadium.

Staffed by students

One of the most unique things about these resources is they are all staffed by nursing students under faculty supervision. Professor Linda Gibson-Young is glad students are seeing gameday through the eyes of those with special needs and other challenges.

“It teaches them communication skills with people of all ages and how to work with people living with disabilities,” she said. “It teaches diversity as well, and also some nursing skills they may not typically use in the community — how to work with wheelchairs, how to utilize a lift, experience with people with different types of mobility.”

Lambert agrees that everyone benefits from these three programs.

“While our outreach services are impactful to the families we serve, our students are equally benefitted,” she said. “They can see their knowledge and skills put into practice in real time and see the difference we make in the lives of others. It is such an honor to enhance people’s gameday experiences.”