Therapeutic environments for sensory development and communication through safe and pleasurable tactile, visual and sound stimulation. Principal aims are to provide relaxation, choice/autonomy, communication and movement. Frequently run by occupational therapists, who are also able to assess babies and children for multi-sensory equipment for use at home. Can be set up to illustrate a theme, or storytelling, and to be either stimulating or calming. There is an increasing number of these rooms available to children with disabilities, and Cerebra or locally-based voluntary organisations can locate those that are near you. Cerebra has a lending library of individual sensory toys / items, and can sometimes give grants for home multi-sensory equipment.
Hirstwood Training, tel: 01524 426395, www.multi-sensory-room.co.uk.
Training in the use of multi-sensory rooms, independent of equipment vendors. Mostly for professionals. The website contains many ideas and some free materials such as colour wheels to print out.
Suppliers:
Messenger Sensory, tel: 01406 330916.
Rompa, tel: 01246 211777, www.rompa.co.uk
Sensory Plus, tel: 0800 212709 www.sensoryplus.co.uk
Spacekraft Ltd., tel: 01274 581007, www.spacecraft.co.uk
TFH, tel: 01299 827820, www.tfhuk.co.uk
Chan S et al. The clinical effectiveness of a multisensory therapy on clients with developmental disability. Research in Developmental Disabilities 2005 Mar-Apr;26(2):131-42.
Nasser K et al. Snoezelen: children with intellectual disability and working with the whole family. Scientific World Journal 2004 Jul 3;4:500-6.
Schofield P. Evaluating Snoezelen for relaxation within chronic pain management. British Journal of Nursing 2002 Jun 27-Jul 10;11(12):812-21.
