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MULTI-SENSORY/SNOEZELEN ROOMS

Multi-sensory rooms are environments in which stimulating activities and experiences are used to increase awareness and positive behaviors for individuals with severe sensory impairment or neurological challenges. Multi-sensory rooms have been shown to enhance skills such as sensory development (hearing, sight, taste, smell, and touch), hand/eye coordination, cause and effect, language development, control over one’s environment, and relaxation.

In the 1970's, most services for individuals with disabilities focused on traditional occupational therapy approaches. However, these services were not always available and, often times, individuals in hospitals or day care settings were left to sit in chairs or lie in bed, with virtually no leisure or recreational activities. Soon thereafter, "soft play" was introduced, where special environments were created for those with profound disabilities. These rooms allowed individuals different seating and positioning options and the ability to expend their energy physically without harming themselves. These types of rooms were found in recreation halls or day care centers within hospitals.

It was while working in a center for individuals with disabilities that Ad Verheual, a psychologist who worked in Holland, began taking note of how people react to their environments. He began introducing smells, music, touch and taste to those within his center. He experimented with creating relaxing and active environments. It was through his work that the multi-sensory room was developed. As a result of his findings, he wrote a book with a colleague named Jan Hulsegge, titled Snoezelen (which comes from two Dutch words that mean to "sniff" and "doze"). The Snoezelen concept was then introduced to centers throughout the world. To date, there are now over 2,200 Snoezelen rooms in Europe and the United States.

Since the introduction of Snoezelen and other types of multi-sensory rooms, families raising children with disabilities have begun creating their own sensory rooms within their homes. If you are interested in creating such a room in your home, keep in mind that the room should be designed with two goals in mind: to promote intellectual activity and to encourage relaxation. Therefore, the room should include the following:

• Lighting effects such as projectors with wheels that disburse light patterns throughout the room, bubble lamps, spotlights, star panels, UV lights, Christmas tree lights and mirror balls. These lighting effects are best seen if the room has a total blackout capability. (Note: children with seizures should be monitored carefully)

• Sensory activities such as blowing bubbles, finger painting, and using play dough.

• Tactile experiences such as touching and feeling cotton balls, bubble wrap, sand paper, or feathers.

• Cause and effect items such as the use of switches to allow the child to control items within his or her environment, and toys that provide visual effects, vibrate, make noise, or have a tactile feel.

• Soft items on the floor such as mats, pillows, or beanbags.

• Aromatic items such as aromatherapy fans and oils.

• Sound effects such as children’s music, nature sounds, or animal sounds. Selected rhythmical music with a variety of tone, pitch, rhythm, and spacing can be used to soothe children.

• Tasting experiences of different flavored drinks and foods.

Multi-sensory rooms can be provided one of two ways. The Snoezelen approach believes in providing an experience where people can relax and explore under the guidance of a caregiver. The caregiver’s role is to follow and support the activity without influencing choice of what is done. This allows the individual a sense of autonomy and control. Another approach used in other types of multi-sensory rooms is to use the room as a tool for achieving specific and measurable educational goals. The second approach, is most often used by practioners, however, rather than parents who are looking to provide stimulation for their children.

The positive effects of multi-sensory rooms for those who are neurologically involved have widely been reported. Time spent in a sensory room has been shown to increase concentration, alertness, calmness, and general awareness of the surrounding world. Children also appear happier while in a sensory room and tend to vocalize more and stay on task. For those with self-injurious behaviors or autistic behaviors, the gentle stimulation has a soothing effect and helps relieve agitation and promotes relaxation. Finally, children with perceptual difficulties appear to gain pleasure for the visual, auditory, and tactile experiences.

Multi-sensory rooms can open up a whole new world for individuals with disabilities. For more information on sensory rooms and to see examples of sensory rooms and items used, please visit the following websites:

• Rompa http://www.rompa.com
• Flaghouse http://www.flaghouse.com/whatissnoz.htm
• Abilitations http://www.abilitations.com/features/interactions.shtml
• The SPACE Centre http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~fow/home.htm
• Camping Magazine http://www.acacamps.org/campmag/septprog.htm
• CCAR Services, Inc. http://www.ccar.org/snoezln.htm
• Hirstwood Training http://www.multi-sensory-room.co.uk
• Intuitive Media http://www.intuitivemedia.com/HORIZONS/extHoriz_multisen.html

 

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