In The News

August, 2019

Chicago, IL | Source: Chicago Parent, Resource Guide

There are so many organizations in the Chicago area dedicated to helping children with special needs. Here are some great options listed in our latest issue of Special Parent that families should check out

June, 2015

Chicago, IL | Source: Cortney Fries, Make it Better

“Vibrating oral-facial massager” was the search term Ellen Sternweiler typed into her computer. Mother to three children with developmental differences, Sternweiler was desperately seeking a solution to her middle son’s severe sensory-seeking behavior. She didn’t know what the product was called, she just knew that he needed deep sensory input into his jaw. After three hours […]

March, 2013

Los Angeles, CA | Source: Ellen Metrick, National Lekotek & L.A. Special Parent

Parents are busy, and parents of children with special needs often feel like they have even more to juggle in their lives than other parents do. One of the things that tends to get little priority in the parental juggle is play, and that is unfortunate because it holds such incredible potential to improve the […]

July, 2012

Westchester, NY | Source: Jean Sheff, Westchester Family Magazine

Parents with children who have developmental differences or special needs have enough to do without having to scour the country looking for the specific educational and therapeutic products they need for their children. Bellybum Boutique, an established online and Chicago, IL retail store, has just launched The Sensory Kids® Store to help parents find sensory […]

May, 2012

Chicago, IL | Source: Dan Campana, Chicago Special

Ellen Sternweiler could tell the 8-year-old girl didn’t feel comfortable. The girl, with her younger sister and her parents, had come into The Sensory Kids® Store at Bellybum Boutique shortly after it opened. The mother told Sternweiler the girl showed signs of sensory issues, but was otherwise undiagnosed. “I said to her, ‘You know what, […]

May, 2012

Chicago, IL | Source: ApraxiaMom, "Listen to My Words With Your Heart" Blog

I have seen this Mom all over the Chicagoland area lately! To clarify, I have seen her on Twitter, in magazines, and now she was on TV! What a cool Mom! Watch this video below to see what I am talking about. Can someone say "shopping road trip” to see what kinds of great stuff […]

November, 2016

Chicago, IL | Source: Jennifer Fortney, Cascade Communications

Opened in 2009 by Ellen Sternweiler, Bellybum® Boutique & The Sensory Kids® Stores were originally located in Chicago's Lincoln Square/ Northcenter neighborhoods. In 2014, Sternweiler decided to close Bellybum Boutique to focus solely on The Sensory Kids Store. Now relocated to Wilmette, IL, the store continues to serve the Greater Chicagoland community as well as […]

February, 2012

Chicago, IL | Source: Jennifer Fortney, Cascade Communications

Bellybum® Boutique Introduces The Sensory Kids® Store! Since its inception, Bellybum® Boutique focused on offering expectant and new parents top-of-the-line, eco-friendly products in an inclusive environment, and is now filling another void for parents. Store owner Ellen Sternweiler is a mother of three children-each possessing myriad developmental and sensory processing issues. After eight difficult years […]

October, 2016

United States | Source: SPD Parent Zone

Ellen Sternweiler—mom, sensory products expert and owner of The Sensory Kids® Store in Chicago discusses the topic of oral, sensory seeking behavior and shares her tips for choosing the right products. Join her and 30 more top experts in the field of Sensory Processing and SPD as they share their best sensory tips to help […]

June, 2015

Chicago, IL | Source: Cortney Fries, Make it Better

“Vibrating oral-facial massager” was the search term Ellen Sternweiler typed into her computer. Mother to three children with developmental differences, Sternweiler was desperately seeking a solution to her middle son’s severe sensory-seeking behavior. She didn’t know what the product was called, she just knew that he needed deep sensory input into his jaw. After three hours […]

May, 2012

Chicago, IL | Source: ApraxiaMom, "Listen to My Words With Your Heart" Blog

I have seen this Mom all over the Chicagoland area lately! To clarify, I have seen her on Twitter, in magazines, and now she was on TV! What a cool Mom! Watch this video below to see what I am talking about. Can someone say "shopping road trip” to see what kinds of great stuff […]

October, 2016

Chicago, IL | Source: SPD Parent Zone

SPD Parent Zone, SPD Awareness Month Conference: Tip of the Day. To view the whole video and more, click the link below and register for the SPD Parent Zone, "SPD Awareness Month Tip of the Day," benefiting The STAR Institute of Sensory Processing Disorder which helps fund SPD research and scholarships!

March, 2016

Chicago, IL | Source: WGN Midday News Chicago

WGN News Chicago Interview with Ellen Sternweiler —Owner of The Sensory Kids® Store, Co-Chair of the Neighborhood Parents Network (NPN) Developmental Differences Group and Resource Fair—and Sara Anderson from Erikson Institute Center for Children and families: Anderson explains, “developmental differences,” and how the term encompasses a broad range of diagnoses. Sternweiler discusses how the NPN […]

May, 2013

Chicago, IL | Source: Anna Davlantes & Kori Chambers, FOX News Chicago

Fox News Chicago featured Ellen Sternweiler, mom and owner of The Sensory Kids® Store in Chicago; The segment featured products from the store’s extensive selection, a explanation of what it means when educators and therapists refer to a “sensory diet.’ Sternweiler explained how everyone benefits from the products in her Lincoln Square store and how […]

November, 2012

Chicago, IL | Source: Janet Davies, ABC News, 190North, Chicago

ABC7 News Chicago featured The Sensory Kids® Store at Bellybum Boutique on 190North; the only inclusive store in the U.S. for kids with developmental differences! Two stores in one, Bellybum & The Sensory Kids® Store offer unique solutions for Mom and Baby and The Sensory Kids® Store helps families of children with developmental differences

July, 2012

Westchester, NY | Source: Jean Sheff, Westchester Family Magazine

Parents with children who have developmental differences or special needs have enough to do without having to scour the country looking for the specific educational and therapeutic products they need for their children. Bellybum Boutique, an established online and Chicago, IL retail store, has just launched The Sensory Kids® Store to help parents find sensory […]

May, 2012

Chicago, IL | Source: Karen Meyer, ABC News, Chicago

Bellybum Boutique is a store for mom and baby. Six months ago, they expanded to offer toys for children with different sensory disabilities. It's a place where both children and parents can fully participate and enjoy. Out of personal frustration of finding the right products for her two children with developmental differences, the boutique owner […]