Sensory Inclusive Tattoo Shop in Mays Landing

As of October, we're officially the only Kulture City Certified Tattoo Shop in the country. I first heard about this stuff when my kid was diagnosed with sensory processing challenges. At first, I was a bit skeptical and thought this category was a lot more narrow than it really is. But once I dug into it, I found out that sensory processing differences can be linked to

Kulture City Certified: Sensory Inclusive Location in Mays Landing, NJ

ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, trauma, and developmental coordination disorder or can be completely independant of that list. I've learned a lot about other people's needs and my own, and how I can better support them. We aren't anxious weirdos, we're just processing information differently.

I've talked about this on social media and in a previous blog post, but what does it really mean? A Sensory Inclusive Certification means that our staff, being the tattoo artists, have created a welcoming and supportive environment for people with sensory processing needs. Sensory refers to how we all experience, interpret, and react to information from our senses. This includes everything we do daily, like eating, getting dressed, socializing, and working. Sensory processing is an automatic process that happens throughout life. It usually develops naturally, but for some people, it doesn't work as efficiently, affecting daily activities. Stress, like getting a tattoo, can increase (or decrease) sensory activity for some people. This kind of ties in with trauma-informed care/trauma-informed tattooing, which I posted about a few months back.

While I'm NOT a sensory integration specialist, my shop and I are sensory-informed. Thanks to the Kulture City program, we've learned the basics and can offer in-house tools (like sensory bags and a quiet area) if our clients need them. The sensory bags have noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, room-darkening shades, and a weighted lap pad. We've got plenty in the shop, so don't hesitate to ask. There's a sign near the front counter showing where they are, so you can just grab one! Although most adults know what they need and are free to bring what they need to their tattoo appointment, the anticipation of getting a new tattoo can trigger something unexpected, so we're prepared for you. I've done some training with Sensory Integration Education (a UK-based organization) that's more in-depth and great for ongoing learning. Parents can check out Sensory Help Now and Managing Sensory Issues as an Adult for some really helpful advice.

Sensory Bag contents: weighted lap pad, headphones, and more!

Personally, I don't see sensory differences as "disabilities," and it bugs me when some groups and organizations suggest that. I recently posted on Facebook about the 14 core senses, and some scientists now say there might be up to 33 human senses! This really changes what we thought was normal. I feel that these sensory issues aren't really processing information incorrectly, but rather processing energy accurately and maybe the world isn't ready for what that means.

In many ways, my "artist brain" fits right into the sensory differences category. My whole life has been about recognizing patterns and seeing art and hearing music simultanteously everywhere, often very loud and bright. I only recently found out that synesthesia isn't something everyone experiences. Every piece of visual art I see has a sound or music associated with it. It's involuntary for me, and I thought it was for everyone too. Honestly, it's fun but can be overwhelming at times. There's a lot more to discover here, and while I'm not a researcher or therapist or doctor, I've definitely got some strong feelings on the topic!

 I have very intentionally designed this space to be welcoming and comfortable. I reiki the shop every couple of weeks, we keep it clean, we've got snacks and drinks, your friends are welcome to join you and we don't pressure people into anything. While my shop still functions mostly like a typical tattoo shop—we do custom designs, listen to music, paint flash for the walls—we've taken steps to make our environment more accessible and inclusive for our clients and friends. And again, most adults coming into a tattoo shop already know what they need but the anticipation leading up the tattoo experience can effect everyone differently and at one point in time there was no room for differences. We're changing that and are dedicated to expanding how we offer our craft.

Feel free to reach out to me regarding the training, I will be very candid about the programs I've experienced!

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