SNOEZELEN, ANOTHER WORLD

The word Snoezelen is a composite of the Dutch words for sniff and doze, seeking to capture the concept of sensations and emotions. It starts from the recognition that in the development terms, profoundly disabled people interact with their environment primarily through the sensory and motors modalities ensuring that the stimulation provided is appropriate and accessible to the user. They are also functionally operable by profoundly disabled individuals. The environments are presented in an adult way, invite spontaneous explanation and appealing to the whole person, both sensory and emotionally. An atmosphere of security and freedom from threat is created by sensitive enabling staff. The essence of snoezelen is to create a feeling of safety, novelty and stimulation under the users control.

Snoezelen consists of pleasurably sensory experiences generated in an atmosphere of trust and relaxation. The sensory experiences are arranged to stimulate the primary senses without the need for intellectual activity. Trust and relaxation are encouraged by a non-directive or enabling approach being adopted by the helper or carer.

Where did snoezelen come from?

In 1974 Snoezelen was developed in the Hartenberg Center, Ede, together with another institute in Holland with the intention of providing people who have sensory and learning disabilities with appropriate relaxation and leisure facilities. It originates from the belief that we all need stimulation. People who have special needs also have the right to appropriate stimulation. This may require the development of special environments to enable the participation of the person.

What type of developments is there?

These range from small and large rooms to major centres. In 1982 the Hartenberg Centre (200 m²) has build the first large Snoezelroom and in 2000 they have build a new and larger Snoezelcentre (320 m²) Individual items of equipment can help to create an atmosphere and provide stimulation whilst a fully developed Snoezelen environment will have additional benefits. Rooms have been developed in homes, hostels, schools, hospitals, ATC’s and leisure centres.

Is Snoezelen a therapy?

Whilst the approach taken in Snoezelen is non-directive, it is recognised that Snoezelen can be of great therapeutic value in providing opportunities for exploration and development.

The essence of the Snoezelen approach is to allow the individual the time, space and opportunity to enjoy the environment at their own pace, free from the expectations of others.

What are the benefits?

Above all, Snoezelen provides an environment for relaxation through gentle stimulation. In many cases, this will involve contact with others in a caring atmosphere.

Communication and understanding between participants can be improved as the pressure to archieve is removed and the trust develops. People who have perceptual difficulties appear to gain pleasure from the visual, auditory and tactile experiences. Carers can share the experience whilst often seeing people in a new light.

Who can benefit from Snoezelen?

Originally developed as a leisure experience for people who had severe learning difficulties and sensory disabilities, it is now used on a much wider scale. It has been of major benefit for people who are very active or who have self-injurious behaviour.

People with sensory, physical and intellectual disabilities gain from the wide variety of stimulation as do those who have problems related to autism. For many of these people, it is not only the facilities but also the attitude adopted in them that is beneficial. Elderly confused people who have difficulty relating to existing environments or to demands made upon them also to appear to benefit from the basic and primary sensory stimulation that Snoezelen offers. the gentle stimulation has a soothing effect that helps relieve agitation.

The carer (friend, staff or family) also enjoys the Snoezelen environment whilst gaining new insights. the need for the carer to produce something or to encourage and direct development is removed, allowing them the opportunity to relax.

Why use Snoezelen?

We all heave a need for stimulation and leisure. This is essential for relaxation and recuperation. Whilst elaborate facilities are designed and provided for the majority of people, there are very few facilities created for those people who have special perceptual needs. Snoezelen aims to cater for some of these needs. the enabling approach adopted by the carer is essential to the Snoezelen concept. This reduces the pressure to conform or perform and enables choice, an essential ingredient for leisure and relaxation.

Whilst other activities, therapies and teaching can continue, Snoezelen offers an additional opportunity for the individual and the carer to relax, explore and express themselves in an open atmosphere of trust and pleasure

For many users, Snoezelen will provide the widest and most appropriate range of stimulation that they may have experienced. Used on a regular basis, this will broaden their experience and opportunity whilst enriching their contact with people and things.

How we created the Snoezelen environment?

The environment is of mayor importance. It must be inviting and comfortable whilst providing stimulation in an acceptable way. Choice and control over aspects of the environment should be included where appropriate.

People will prefer different effects so it is necessary to be responsive to their needs and the develop adaptable facilities.

Individual pieces of equipment or combinations should be used to generate the desired atmosphere. Different rooms can provide a wider range of stimulation and participation.

White rooms are used to provide gentle stimulation and relaxation. The white walls and ceiling absorbs the pastel colours projected onto them to create different experiences. The White room is the most popular environment providing the essential components for Snoezelen.

Rooms offering a greater degree of control to the participant can be developed a range of switches and a wide variety of stimulating effects. Floors and walls can be made to change colour or vibrate when activated by switches that are responsive to pressure or sound. These rooms archieve their best effect when they can act as a library or stimulation offering a choice to the participant. The aim to enable the participant the opportunity to control his environment and explore at his own pace.