Snoezelen Rooms

The word Snoezelen might sound funny, but it describes something as uniquely comforting as its name. The term is a contraction formed from a blend of the Dutch word snuffelen (“to snuffle,” “sniff”) and doezelen (“doze,” “snooze”), which is a perfect way to describe the multisensory,
non-directive therapy.

Developed in the Netherlands in the 1970s, Snoezelen rooms (snoezelroom) are a controlled, multisensory environment that functions as a therapy space for people with autism and other developmental disabilities, dementia, or brain injury. A Snoezelen room is simultaneously a soothing and stimulating environment that uses lighting effects, color, sounds, music, scents, and more to allow the client, not the therapist, to create a unique experience that allows them to feel comfort and joy.

There is no formal expectation of an outcome; rather, it simply allows each client to enjoy a period of time where they can relax, reduce anxiety, and feel engagement on their own terms. While the client is accompanied by an aide or therapist to ensure safety, the latter acts more as a silent observer or helper and typically does not offer any direction, making this a fully “client-centered” approach.

Snoezelen rooms are also called multisensory rooms, and they are growing in popularity in assisted living. It’s easy to create a simplified version of these therapeutic rooms to allow clients to relax with the inclusion of aromatherapy diffusers; a starry-night projector or other soft, color-changing lights; tactile seating such as bean bag chairs or a snuggle swing; or even a tactile wall that clients can touch or play with by attaching various textiles or materials, such as pipe cleaners, fuzzy balls, Astroturf, sandpaper, or sponges. Alternatively, filling a tactile box with items such as bulk beans or slime can serve the same purpose.

These rooms are meant to calm and bring focus to those who might otherwise be anxious due to overstimulation by allowing a person to choose their own activities. One benefit of having a calming multisensory room is alleviating frustration, which allows a person to be calmer, more organized, and better at communication.

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