The Snoezelen is a Multisensory Environment which aims to stimulate or suppress the basic senses using colours, music, smells, images and various tactile objects. It is a concept that offers sensory integration within a controlled environment.
The essence of a sensory environment is to give individual time, space and room for the individual to enjoy the environment at his or her own pace, free from the unrealistic expectations of others.
It is a type of therapy that was created in the Netherlands in 1970 in institutions that cared for people with developmental disorders. The first to talk about this method were Hulsegge & Verheul.
The word Snoezelen comes from the combination of two Flemish words, Snuffelen and Doezelen. Snuffelen means to sniff, smell, search, investigate and discover. It expresses the active and dynamic side of the word Snoezelen. Doezelen on the other hand expresses the passive side of the word Snoezelen and means disengagement, relaxation and drowsiness.
The "Snoezelen room", which is a controlled multi-sensory environment, is like a "sensory cafeteria", a place where all five senses can be stimulated. The multi-sensory environment is designed to stimulate the primary senses of touch, taste, sight, hearing, smell without the need for mental activity. By using different materials in a structured way it is possible to adapt a sensory stimulus for a person.
The in-room sessions are carried out by all specialties as a additional intervention in the programme of each therapist. The therapist adjusts the type, intensity and quantity of sensory stimuli by watching and listening to the needs and desires of the child/adult and accompanies him/her in the experience without directing his/her actions.
The method is based on the assumption that when a person feels safe and has the freedom to choose what to do, they tend to initiate and gain the ability to find answers on their own. At the end of the therapy, the therapist helps the child/adult to process the experience they have had to learn from them how to translate and communicate that experience to the outside world.
The aims of the therapeutic intervention are:
- Relaxation, rest and pleasure in an environment free of failure.
- The treatment of psychosomatic disorders.
- Dealing with depressive feelings and reducing anxiety.
- The control and reduction of aggression.
- The stimulation and activation of the senses.
- Improving concentration.
- The ability for people with disabilities who are unable to take in the myriad of stimuli emitted by the environment, to respond to them or to isolate others.
- Improving body awareness (the image we have of our body), proprioception (the sense of where our body is in space and the relationship of the parts to each other) and kinesthetic ability (the coordination of movement in space).
- The reduction of self-stimulation. People become aware of their environment and the information they receive when their physical senses are alternately stimulated. Persistent self-stimulation is a behavior often due to lack of sensory stimulation.
Ultimate goal is sensory integration, i.e. the development of the ability of the Central Nervous System (CNS) to organise and process sensory information transferred to the brain through the eyes, skin, ears, muscles, mouth, nose, joints, etc. and use it appropriately to produce appropriate adaptive responses of the body to the environment.
The Snoezelen method is suitable for both children and adults and is widely used in many areas such as:
- Sensory processing problems
- Learning difficulties
- PPP-Y
- Developmental disorders
- Behavioural problems
- Stress management
- Pain management
- Mental disorders
- Neurological disorders, dementia
- Craniocerebral injuries
- AEE
To Wellness rehabilitation centre features a Snoezelen therapy area, which includes floor mats, water tube, fibre optics, rocking chair, disco ball, projector with thematic discs, ball pool, touch panels and Sensory Magic which is a powerful system on the touch screen computer. The experience Sensory Magic can be customized as needed, the images that can be selected visually stimulate users, while the sound and music can be chosen according to individual preferences and the volume is adjusted to please even the most sensitive ears. Lighting levels are tightly controlled and scents can be introduced gradually as required ,as tolerance grows. In addition, the Wellness Therapy team includes ISNA (International Snoezelen Association) certified therapists who can design and execute individualized intervention programs.
In summary, the entire rehabilitation program can be enhanced by a polygamous environment. Getting to know the Room Snoezelen is considered imperative, as both our young and older patients deserve to spend some time pleasantly but at the same time creatively, always aiming for the maximum benefit they can get from this experience.
Text editing
Stamatopoulou Anthi
Physiotherapist of the K.A.Efexia
Sources : www.snoezelen.info , www.rehabcare.gr/snoezelen ,
