Stimeez

Stimeez addresses leveled play in a way that has not been done before, working as a sensory tool for developing children while adding an emotional wrapper that helps more advanced audiences to connect as well.

Kevin Durney, OTD, OTR/L is an occupational therapist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago with nearly a decade of experience supporting autistic children and families through pediatric outpatient care. His work spans early childhood development, neurodiversity-affirming practice, evidence-based play interventions, and clinician education. In addition to his clinical work, Kevin lectures and presents on autism, social participation, and occupational therapy practice, and contributes to the development of autism-focused care guidelines and educational resources.

There is so much value in connecting the sensory experience and the emotional narrative. [As an autistic person,] I wish I had these when I was a kid. Being able to pick up a character and tell my mom I feel like this one today would have been so helpful for communicating my feelings at a time when I was struggling to.

An autistic researcher, advocate, and scholar with a PhD in Disability Studies from University of Illinois, Chicago. Helen’s work centers on disability knowledge, access, and empowerment, with a focus on how autistic and disabled people learn, connect, and build community across educational and social contexts. As a disabled researcher and practitioner, she brings critical lived insight into neurodiversity, inclusion, and authentic representation—helping ensure Stimeez™ is informed by real disabled experience, contemporary advocacy, and the evolving disability landscape.