Sensory Rooms

Sensory rooms aim to offer indiviuals with Autism the oppurtinty to stimulate, develop or balance their sensory systems (Wilkes, 2005). Sensory rooms can be a therapeutic experience for all those with sensory processing disorders. The concept of sensory rooms was first developed in the Netherlands by Clark, who esatblished the 'snoezlen' rooms (to 'smell' and to 'dose'), more commonly known today as sensory rooms (Wilkes, 2005).
Sensory rooms are ideally made to be tailored to the individual as different indiviuals require different sensory input.

On placment within a special educations unit I was fortunate enough to see the benefits of the sensory rooms with the children. One student with Autism would enter therapy sessions demonstrating aggitative behaviours and after therapy within the sensory room, the child became more relaxed and returned to class with a greater attention span. Below I will break down the different aspects needed to consider when working with a client in a sensry room.

Smell (Olfactory): Resources used to stimulate this sense can include; Scented oils, scented candles, aroma diffusers, scented markers, scented playdoh, toys, scented neck wraps, potpouri and sprays.

Taste (Oral-Motor): Supervised licking, sucking, tasting, or chewing a variety of foods, liquids, gum, or candy is a great activity to include within sensory rooms. For hyposensitive indiviuals; sweet, salty, spicy and sour flavours. For hypersensitive individuals, one new taste or texture at a time is reccomended.

Proprioception: Therapy balls can be used to apply presure to the individual  as well as; weighted vests, blankets, bean bags, lycra swings and hammocks. Deep pressure will calm, relax and soothe hyperactive children. Activities that can be used within the rooms to stimulate or soothe the indiviuals propioception inlcude; scooter boards, moon shoes, tunnels, balls, mini trampolines, ladders and squeeze toys.

Tactile: Playdoh, funny foam, zyrofoam, textured balls, tactile walls, textured materials, fingerpaints, koosh balls, massagers and various types of materials are used within sensory rooms.

Auditory: Sound pillows, sound eye masks, CD's, tapes, nature sound machines, white noise machines, indoor wind chimes and music are the most popular choices for calming and organizing auditory input

(http://www.thejigsawhouse.com/ot.html)

( http://donorswhocare.org/about-us/grant-stories/stillwater-multi-sensory-room.html)

Reference:

Wilkes, K. (2005). The Sensory World of the Autistic Spectrum: A Greater Understanding. London. The National Autistic Society.