A Snoezelen room is a multi-sensory environment used as a therapy space for people on the autistic spectrum, or challenged by developmental delay, brain injury or anxiety.
Although a fairly new concept in South Africa, Snoezelen rooms, developed in the Netherlands in the 70s, have been successfully established in institutions around the world.
Alison Scott, principal of the school, said the school was working closely with international experts Dr Michelle Shapiro of Beit Issie Shapiro Centre, Israel’s leading organisation in the field of disabilities, and Ilse Achterberg of WorldWideSnoezelen.
“The aim is to provide stimulation via the senses using lighting effects, colour, sounds, music, scents and textures to enhance the therapy experience in a very safe and relaxing environment,” said Achterberg.
Scott said the Snoezelen room would be beneficial for all pupils at the school.
“The children are all here because, for some reason, mainstream schooling has been challenging for them… The needs for the children are all diverse, but they all have a need for a therapeutic intervention as well as a school curriculum,” Scott explained.
She added that the Snoezelen room was a huge beacon of hope in the education sector. “What we understand with all children is that they need to be available to learn and for their therapy to be meaningful. As a result, so many children [especially children with disabilities] are tense and their anxiety levels are really high.”
Scott said the room was just another therapy tool which could be used alongside the tools already being used. “If we can help a child modulate themselves or regulate that anxiety in the right environment with the right sensory input, our depth of the work would be better,” she explained.
Shapiro said the room was versatile, but it took a trained therapist to know how to use the room correctly and not over stimulate the child.
