Marot’s project addressed the lack of sensory-friendly tools for children with special needs. After watching her autistic brother struggle in preschool and her parent’s frustration, she set out to ensure special need students like her brother have their sensory needs met by teachers, parents and the community. Her goal was to make others aware of the disorder and the issues faced by autistic children.
She shared her brother’s story and the difficulty he has with organizing and responding to information coming at him via his senses. Marot then held a workshop to teach parents of children diagnosed with a sensory processing disorder how to make simple do-it-yourself (DIY) tools. She then created DIY video tutorials and posted them on YouTube.
She also donated the sensory tools she created to the developmental preschool at Westwood Elementary School in Greenwood and to A Work in Progress, a speech and occupational therapy center. The gold award acknowledges her dedication to educate others and her leadership qualities.