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Snoezelen: multi-sensory healing environments

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Snoezelen are kind of chill rooms for the mentally and emotionally challenged.

Snoezelen, a contraction of “snuffelen” (to explore) and “doezelen” (to relax), is an idea developed in the late 1970’s by two Dutch therapists, Jan Hulsegge and Ad Verheul. They had learned of the positive responses a colleague was able to elicit from people with intellectual disabilities while exposed to a sensory environments and decided to further explore the idea. Their first sensory tent was filled with simple effects such as a fan blowing shards of paper, ink mixed with water and projected onto a screen, musical instruments, tactile objects, scent bottles, soaps, and flavorful foods. The results were impressive, specifically in clients who showed a marked reduction in self-abusive behaviors.

Snoezelen is now used widely in education and care settings for children with disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. Encouraging results have also been shown from people suffering from mental illness, chronic pain, acquired brain injury, and stress. Over the past fifteen years, Snoezelen has expanded into 30 countries with thousands of installations, a worldwide foundation, national and international conferences, and research projects.

http://www.flaghouse.com/philosophy_AL.asp