Families from across Merseyside have been seeking out a new Wirral toy shop causing queues out of the door most days.
Husband and wife team, Ben, 46, and Amiee, 36, Hamlett opened Seaview Sensory Toyshop in Wallasey this April and have been inundated with customers.
Amiee, who previously worked for MACS (Merseyside Autistic Children's Society), said it is an honour to help children with a wide variety of special needs with their toys.
She said: "We know that without the child, the adult wouldn't be in the shop, so we make sure we treat them with the greatest of respect and listen to each child's needs.
"So if they come in and they are non-verbal, we will speak to the adult, but make it clear the child knows we are speaking with them."
Aimee, who lives in Wallasey, said her shop is filled with the latest gadgets and sensory toys that all have an educational twist.
She said: "Some of our most popular toys at the moment have been the Melissa and Doug wooden toys - they are an American couple who started making toys and it is now a huge brand.
"These toys, like all of ours in the shop, allow the children to learn simple things in a calm and playful way. We have a big wooden shoe which helps them learn how to tie laces and we have teddys with zips and buttons on.
"We also stock 'worry monsters' where children can write down all their problems, so this is a good way of listening to what your child is most worried about, even if they are not comfortable talking to you.
"Our sensory lights have also been selling very well - we have a shake and shine lamp which has helped one of our customers' children sleep through the night."
Aimee's passion for helping children with SEN comes from helping her own children and their needs, she said: "I have dealt with autism and ADHD - that is how I started work with MACS.
"The pandemic has been awful for many, but for children especially - it has really impacted their mental health.
"I feel that SEN children are such a pocket of society that are left behind, when cuts are made, they are always one of the first."
Amiee, who is mum to Jess, 15, Rebecca, 12 and Sam 11, said the response to the store had been overwhelming and said it is not just for children with SEN.
She said: "We have had people from Litherland, Southport - all over really, we never expected it to be this successful, but does show how much it is needed.
"And we have a huge variety of people coming in, from deliveries to charities and schools to childminders who want great, educational toys for children who are not statemented with any special educational needs.
"Some of the toys just help with general anxieties, and while we are not able to physically stock everything, if there is something someone needs, we can always look to order for them.
"For example, after listening to the concerns that some teens had about the big generic ear defenders, we imported some smaller ones that just look like airpods."
For Amiee, the most rewarding part of the job is seeing children grow with confidence, she said: "I have worked with some of these families for years, and it is lovely to see the children come back as teenagers, or even the teenagers coming back as adults."
The Seaview Sensory Shop is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.
