Short Description
A Multi-Sensory Environment is a specially created environment which stimulates the senses of sight, touch, smell and emotion. This is to promote motor and cognitive development as well as language and social interaction skills in people with special needs - mental, physical or sensory.
More Details
The concept of a Multi-Sensory Environment (or Snoezelen) was
developed in Holland and is used in Europe and the UK.
. Environments can be of various types:
- Rooms for adventure play with soft play equipment
- Rooms or hydrotherapy pools with sound and light effects
- Sensory gardens which can be enhanced with mechanical and electrical features.
. Multi-Sensory environments can be set up in private homes, schools, child development centres, hospitals.
. Furniture: indoor areas may have soft flooring and padded walls with a water bed, bean bags, hammocks etc.
. Equipment:
Electrical : may include a projector, fibre optics, bubble columns,
travelling light tubes, pin spots, mirror balls, cassette player. A large range of switches and interfaces are available to (where possible) enable the user to control the stimuli.
Non electrical: may include Tactile Activity Boards, mobiles, massagers and sensory balls.
Standards
Some assistive technology needs to meet Australian or other standards. Standards may relate to materials, manufacturing and installation. Products that meet Australian or international standards will have written certification. To find out if a product meets Australian Standards ask the supplier to show you the certificate. For a fact sheet about standards contact us or visit www.ilcaustralia.org/home/standards.asp