Autism Therapy: multisensory environments

definition of multisensory environments: Also known as snoezelen. These are special rooms that bring together equipment in one place in order to stimulate the senses in a controlled setting. Planned stimulation of the senses may be helpful for sensory integration issues and for people with autism. The multisensory environment may be a dedicated room where equipment and other items are designed to stimulate the senses (sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste). Sensory rooms may be used in sensory integration therapy.

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Snoezelen Multi-Sensory Environments: Task Engagement and Generalization
Res. Devol. Disabil., by Kaplan, H., Clopton M., Kaplan M., Messbauer L., and McPherson K., published in 2007, summarized Feb 13, 2008

Adults with autism showed improvement in certain behaviors after Snoezelen occupation therapy (OT) sessions.

Snoezelen OT is a form of therapy that gives controlled sensory input (e.g., sights, sounds, etc.) during therapy to help people with autism better deal with sensory input. Three adults with autism, intellectual disability, and severe challenging behaviors were tested in this study. They received Snoezelen an average of twice per week. Two of the three adults showed improvements in certain behaviors (interest in a task and challenging behaviors) that continued between therapy sessions, and one did not show improvement during or after therapy. The authors stated that this study was the first study to show that when there were improvements, they lasted for a few days after each therapy session ended.


Early Experience Determines How the Senses Will Interact
Neurophysiol. (Epub ahead of print), by Wallace, MT, and Stein BE, published in 2006, summarized Sep 25, 2006

This research article demonstrates that the ability to synthesize multisensory information develops gradually over time and requires a great deal of sensory experience.

The different senses have evolved to work together to exponentially contribute information about one's environment. Earlier research suggested that the development of sensory integration requires multisensory experiences that are close in time and/or space. This research article describes an experiment with animals that advanced the scientific understanding of the biological process of multisensory integration. The authors found that multisensory integration occurs early in life as a direct result of encounters with specific environmental features. For example, a cat learns to integrate the sound of a scurrying animal with glimpses of a scurrying animal so that the cat is quickly able to find the scurrying animal. If the environment is dramatically changed during this window of development, which is presumable during the first few years of human life, then the neurological patterns of sensory integration are also dramatically changed. These results would suggest that children should be exposed to a very rich sensory environment from a very young age.


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Autism Therapy Center Provides Instruction in Every Day Living Skills

Mar 3, 2010

The Jefferson School at Finan recently opened an autism therapy center. This Maryland facility is an offshoot of the Sheppard Pratt Health System. The center serves children from kindergarten through high school, although the current students range in age from 10 to 15. Children with severe autism are introduced to the facility one at a time so that individual therapy can be provided. The center has classrooms, library, computer room, and an “independent living area” where students are taught domestic skills. Therapies include occupational therapy and sensory integration therapy; the sensory room has a trampoline and swing. The goal of the program is for children to eventually be able to attend school.

Read original article: Autism Center Clicks for Students, Staff


Music Therapy for Victims of Stroke May Also Help Children with Autism

Feb 22, 2010

Researchers who spoke at the American Association for the Advancement of Science are confirming that music and language are linked in the brain. They believe this overlap may mean that music therapy could help victims of stroke improve their speech. They think the music-speech link may also help children with autism or developmental dyslexia. Gottfried Schlaug, of Harvard Medical School, said, “Music making is a multisensory experience, activating links to several parts of the brain.” He reported on a patient who learned to sing “I am thirsty”, but couldn’t speak the same words. Another scientist talked about the “musical patterns” people use when they talk to babies, and that perhaps music works on the brain earlier than speech.

Read original article: Research Finds Brain Link for Words, Music Ability


Missouri Autism Organizations Join Forces for Autism Therapy Center

Nov 17, 2009

The Southeast Missouri State University Autism Center for Diagnosis and Treatment, to open in December 2009, is now accepting children with autism for therapy. Touchpoint Autism Services and the Tailor Institute are joining the center to bring comprehensive autism interventions to one location. The center will provide assessment and diagnosis. Therapies offered include behavior and speech and language. A sensory room with special lighting and sound is one of the 14 treatment rooms; also included is an efficiency apartment to teach life-skills to people with autism. Elaine Beussink, director of the Tailor Institute said that while the "institute focuses on young adults with high functioning forms of autism," they hope to do "more outreach to also start support and therapy groups by the spring."

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Snoezelen Rooms May Help with Sensory Issues in Children with Autism

Jul 16, 2009

A Snoezelen room at the Providence Center for Medically Fragile Children in Oregon is helping children with autism and other developmental disorders with sensory issues. Snoezelen rooms were developed in the Netherlands, but are becoming more popular in the U.S. These rooms provide sensory stimulation and relaxation in the form of light, music, and textures. The "slide projectors, black lights, mirrors, disco balls, stereos, colored bubble tubes, flashing lights, aromatherapy machines" are used based on an individual's likes and dislikes - the focus is on a child's comfort. At the Providence Center where children reside, the Snoezelen room is a place where families can interact; parents can learn to operate the room and enjoy quality time with their child.

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Please comment on this autism topic.

Tara

Jul 14, 2008 by Anonymous

Hi,

I am a coordinator for a sensory integration room in Nanaimo, BC. I have been doing behavioural intervention with children with ASD for the past 10 years and developed a sensory Snoezelen room. I have been charting the progress of my clients in the room and have seen a huge reduction in stimming behaviours and aggression. Has anyone else seen these results are well?

Thanks,

Tara


Aquatic Therapy

Sep 20, 2007 by Anonymous

Aquatic therapy can be a wonderful form of exercise and multisensory experience. Check out My Pool Pal (www.mypoolpal.com) which sells fabulous regular and Coast Guard approved flotation swim suits that allow full range of motion for arms and legs. My Pool Pal is a partner with many organizations that help to promote the benefits of Aquatic therapy such as the Easter Seals of Georgia, Coffee County Schools, National Safe Kids, Island Dolphin Therapy and the Marino Swim Central Program just to name a few. My Pool Pal offers flotation swimwear to children 20 lbs. - 70 lbs. and they also custom design suits for children and adults with special needs. Among the other products they offer are the reusable and disposable Swim-sters Swim Diaper which allow for children and adults to enjoy the water without fear of contamination. For children with special needs aquatic therapy can focus on therapeutic play-based functional movement, improving range of motion, helping to facilitate neurodevelopmental growth, improved body awareness, increased balance, sensory integration, mobility skills and most importantly....having fun!


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    • Synonyms for multisensory environments include: multisensory, sensory room, sensory rooms, snoezelen, snoezelen rooms
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