Aromatherapy oils and their uses date back to ancient civilisations who used essential oils for hygienic, spiritual and ritualistic purposes. The uses of aromatherapy range from calming properties to aiding memory and concentration. Some oils can be diffused into the air through vapour or rubbed into pressure points on the skin, such as wrists, behind the ears, and temples.

The Power of Aromatherapy Treatment

The power of scent is undeniable with its ability to evoke emotions and memories in an instant, which can be especially effective for those struggling with memory or managing their emotions. The way this works is through the olfactory receptors, which are directly linked to the limbic system – the area of the brain responsible for motivation, emotion, learning, and memory. An easy and natural way to manipulate the limbic system through smell is by using aromatherapy treatment, which recreates familiar and comforting scents. Pleasant smells can have drastic effects when it comes to mood-boosting and wellbeing and this is where aromatherapy and its benefits come in!

Aromatherapy Uses

Creating a peaceful environment can be a really effective way to help relieve some of the frustration those with Alzheimer’s, ADD, and autism often experience. Chamomile has been known to be relaxing both physically and emotionally, and is said to act as an anti-inflammatory as well as relaxing the brain waves. Lavender is commonly used to reduce stress and anxiety, and is also known to help induce sleepiness – ideal for those struggling to fall asleep at night. Poor sleep is linked to higher levels of stress and tension, so using aromas as natural sleep aids can be a step forward.

Part of the frustrations of sensory processing disorders or dementia is the inability to focus. If concentration and focus are an issue, lemon, peppermint, and rosemary oils are known to help boost cognition and memory. Try gently diffusing these oils into the room or use them in a relaxing hand massage.

Aromatherapy Tools

There are a number of ways to experience essential oils and their benefits and here are some of our favourite products to help you start your aromatherapy journey:

The Aroma Bowl is a discreet, electric, ceramic diffuser to which you can add essential oils and let the diffuser gently heat up, controlled by its own thermostat.

If you would prefer not to use electricity, Aroma Cubes are a great alternative and are even more portable than the Aroma Bowl. Just shake the cube of choice for an instant aroma response.

The Aroma Starter Kit contains eleven popular essential oils, including: Bergamot, Geranium Egyptian, Grapefruit, Ylang Ylang, Chamomile Roman, Eucalyptus Globulus, Rosemary, Sweet Almond Oil, Clary Sage, Lavender, and Tea Tree. It also comes with a hard plastic case, stirring rod, and glass measuring beaker. We recommend pairing this with the Aroma Diffuser.

If you’re thinking about trying aromatherapy at home, school, hospital, or in a sensory room, feel free to browse our selection of aromatherapy products and/or chat to one of our friendly team members for more information on any of products.

Sensory stimulation activates different senses – auditory (hearing), tactile (touching), visual (seeing), olfactory (smelling), and gustatory (tasting). Because the brain responds to different types of stimulation, using sensory activities for dementia patients can play an important part. Research has shown that sensory stimulation is linked to immediate positive effects on the mood and behaviours of people with dementia.

Multi-Sensory Stimulation for Dementia

There are a number of multi-sensory activities and creative support tools for dementia patients that you can use at home:

Auditory

Sounds including music, white noise, and natural sound effects such as waterfalls and birdsong have been said to enhance the mood and have relaxing properties for people with dementia. Familiar music, singing, calming poetry, natural sounds and white noise can help trigger memories and be comforting for people going through conditions associated with memory loss. It is important to remember to enjoy these sounds at a controlled volume as loud sounds can be frustrating and agitating to people with dementia.

Tactile

Living with dementia can be an isolating and scary experience. Tactile stimulation can help alleviate anxiety and has mood enhancing effects. Try a gentle hand massage or stroking calm and friendly pets. Or you could introduce different textures such as sandpaper, pine cones, or a virtual beach.

Visual

Visual stimulation can help improve sleep cycles and cognition, which is really beneficial for people with dementia who might have interrupted sleep and wander in the night. Some visual stimulation activities include light therapy, nostalgic and calming movies, or redecorating the room with soothing colours.

Olfactory

If you’ve ever had a memory triggered by a familiar scent, you’ll understand that smells can activate grounded memories through reminiscence. Fragrances can be so powerful for people with dementia and open a gateway for memories to resurface. Diffusing essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, rosemary and bergamot can be one way to simultaneously relax and trigger memories. Fresh flowers can also help by being a visual reminder as well as bringing back memories through their scent. You could try using food smells, like coffee and freshly baked bread, or even try the ‘Guess the Scent’ game, although being mindful to stop if it becomes frustrating or upsetting.

Gustatory

Similarly to olfactory triggers, flavours can help people with dementia to reminisce. Although there is no concrete evidence suggesting that foods like turmeric can alleviate signs of dementia, distinctive flavours such as spices can be used to trigger memories. Other flavours to try include berries, coconut, and different teas. Again, you could try ‘Guess the Flavour’ as a game!

 Sensory Activities for Dementia Patients

Sensory activities for dementia patients can help provide structure and designated time to focus on sensory therapy. Here are some of the tools and activities we recommend:

Sensory Cart

The Sensory Cart is a portable unit complete with everything you need to provide sensory therapy whether in a care home, hospital, hospice or at home. The kit can be used for relaxation or reminiscence and includes:

• Inbuilt DVD player and screen for visual stimulation
• Calming LED bubble tube for visual stimulation and relaxation
• Fibre Optic Sideglow, for both tactile and visual stimulation
• Aurora Projector with liquid wheel, which projects onto the wall, floor, or ceiling perfect for visual stimulation wherever you are
• Bluetooth amplifier and speakers with gesture control, allowing for auditory stimulation

Many items from the Sensory Cart are also available to purchase separately. For more information on how sensory cart technology can help people with dementia, please read our informative blog post.

 Sensory Rooms for Dementia

An immersive multi-sensory experience can stimulate mood changes, cognition and overall wellbeing for people with dementia. Sensory rooms are designed specifically for relaxation and reminiscence, covering many types of sensory therapy including:

• Visual, through bubble tubes, bubble walls, projectors, and fibreoptics
• Tactile, though fibreoptics
• Auditory, through docking stations and speakers

For more information on our sensory rooms, read our blog post on the benefits of sensory rooms.

Hydrotherapy involves the use of water as a form of treatment for a variety of conditions including sensory processing disorders and autism. Hydrotherapy can stimulate the body and mind through gentle exercise in warm water which remains at a constant temperature.

A hydrotherapy pool is usually purpose built with a consistent or gradual water depth of approximately 1 metre. Sensory hydrotherapy pools include multi-sensory equipment which is used to stimulate various senses. So, what are the advantages of hydrotherapy pools?

The Benefits of Hydrotherapy Pools

1. It Makes Exercise Accessible

Exercise and physical activity is important for everyone. However for those with specific abilities, that is not always possible due to factors including accessibility, motor impairments and feeling uncomfortable in certain environments.

Hydrotherapy is a great way for everyone to get involved in some light exercise. Pools provide freedom of movement therefore people who are normally in their seating systems, wheelchairs or sat down for the majority of the day, can really benefit from being in the water.

2. Physical Pain Can be Eased in the Water

As the water is nice and warm, it can decrease muscle tone and spasticity by effecting the neuro-muscular junctions. Water helps individuals to float and this can also really assist in the movement of the joints which may be uncomfortable for many outside of the water.

Similarly, physiotherapy can be difficult and painful for those with tight joints and muscles but in the water, stretching the muscles can be easier and users can have fun exercising too!

3. Social Behaviours can Improve

Many people find it hard to socially connect and talk to others. Hydrotherapy sessions require communication and working with other people including peers in the same group or a therapist which allows social skills to develop naturally.

Aerobic exercise has also been proven to reduce negative behaviours in many. For example, those with autism can see a reduction in behaviours such as rocking, head-nodding and tapping. Those who have very limited movement or find it difficult to be vocal can use hydrotherapy to mobilise their arms and legs to direct and indicate preferences when in the water, allowing them to develop vital communication skills.

4. The Ability to Calm and Stimulate

For those who have sensory processing disorders, the feeling of water on the body is a great way to reduce stress and creating a soothing effect. Through specially designed activities, stimulation is easily achievable whilst still in this relaxed state. For example, retrieving various items that have been placed around the pool is the perfect way to stimulate a user whilst enabling them to move at their own pace.

Hydrotherapy pools use sensory equipment which helps to create an environment that is suited to the individuals using it entirely. Interactive features that use different colours, sound and lighting mean the user is able to react and be stimulated by their environment, as well as the water.

Experia UK Sensory Hydrotherapy Pools

Experia UK has spent many years developing multisensory pool systems, to ensure every user benefits from these pools. Their expertise and past experience of selecting the best sensory products to create the most effective design, means that you can be confident that a sensory pool from Experia will provide users with all of these benefits.

Please contact us to speak to one of our sensory specialists, so we can help you create the perfect sensory pool for your users' needs.

• First, the water needs to be changed at the aforementioned interval of eight to twelve weeks.
• The second maintenance step is to add our BCB water treatment to the fresh water at every water change.

Below are our tip tops on how to carry out these two steps correctly and safely.

How to Clean a Bubble Tube:

1. Wrap a towel around the base of the acrylic column prior to changing the water. If any water spills during the filling process, it can run down the column and into the base. If this happens, the electronics can be damaged permanently and require an expensive repair.

2. To start the siphoning process, fill approximately 15 feet of hose with water. Plug both ends, put one end into the bubble tube and the other into an empty bucket on the floor. Un-plug the end in the bucket, and the water will begin siphoning out.

3. WARNING: Do NOT use your mouth to begin the siphon, as the BCB formula can be toxic if swallowed. Alternatively, you can purchase our Bubble Tube Pump and Hose Kit which will help you safely keep your bubble tube clean and bacteria free. It makes the process easier by having a convenient foot pump attached to start the siphon.

So, why do you need to clean your bubble tube every eight to twelve weeks? Well, this is the average amount of time that the water treatment remains effective before it breaks down. The BCB formula is specifically formulated to control bacteria and thwart algae growth, while remaining inert to the components of the system. Only 20ml needs to be added to each bubble tube at each water change, so a bottle will last almost a year.

Why Cleaning your Bubble Tube is so Important

So, what happens if you don’t change the water or use BCB solution? Even if the water is not becoming discoloured, bacteria starts growing. Bacteria loves little nooks and crannies to grow in, and they start growing in the diffuser that creates the bubbles. At first there will just be fewer bubbles, but after a while they might come to a complete stop. This, in turn, puts increasing pressure on the pump.

Two things can happen with this increase in pressure, either the pump will overheat and become damaged, or the increased pressure can cause the one-way valve in the air line to fail. If this happens, the entire contents of the bubble tube will leak into the base, ruining the electronics and possibly your floor.

Remember, a bubble tube can, in many cases, be life changing! It can help children find a calm peacefulness that they haven’t experienced in a long time. For the educator, it can help a student de-escalate before they exhibit unwanted behaviours, improving both the students’ experience and the educator’s ability to manage the classroom.

Bubble Tubes At Experia UK

Experia has made it easy for you to manage the cleaning process by including a maintenance worksheet with all bubble tubes. Simply record the date of the maintenance and make note of anything out of the ordinary. This will be important to have if the need ever arises for a warranty claim. However, if you follow these guidelines, it is more likely that you will experience many, many years of trouble-free use from your Experia bubble tube.

For any further information on bubble tubes and other sensory products, please feel free to contact our expert and friendly team.

Oromotor dyspraxia – which can make it difficult to coordinate the muscles needed to pronounce words and can present as slurred or unclear speech.

Constructional dyspraxia - which affects the ability to create, collect, or connect parts in the process of completing a structure.

Postural dyspraxia – which affects spatial awareness, making it difficult to balance, adjust movement, and maintain the body’s centre of gravity. .

Ideational dyspraxia – which impairs the ability to plan and carry out complex sequences of motor actions involving everyday objects and tools.

Ideomotor dyspraxia – which makes imitation of hand gestures difficult or the ability to spontaneously use objects.

Children with dyspraxia can find practical tasks such as holding cutlery, writing, reading, and balancing challenging, as well as routines and sequential activities.

The innovation and development of sensory stimuli can make helping a child with dyspraxia more accessible than ever before. Although there is no cure, there are a number of dyspraxia strategies available. Some Occupational Therapists can help assess your child’s dyspraxia and pinpoint what they need the most support with, while Speech and Language Therapists can work alongside your child to help them develop their communication skills. However, there are also ways of supporting your child at home or supporting students with dyspraxia, using sensory equipment:

Sensory Rooms

One of the most effective dyspraxia aids are multisensory rooms which provide a range of stimuli to help manage motor planning and increase independence for children with dyspraxia. As children with oromotor dyspraxia can experience communication difficulties, sensory rooms are a helpful resource to create a safe and calming space for children to exercise the skills they typically find difficult by using different senses. Having a calming environment to explore these skills can also aid children with emotional intelligence and building resilience when it comes to trying again or managing their own frustrations.

Balance Beams

Postural dyspraxia can affect balance and spatial awareness which might mean children with dyspraxia are clumsier than their peers or have trouble with mobility. Balance beams can be linked to an Interactive Reward System (IRiS). To encourage children with balance difficulties to develop their balancing skills, the IRiS listeners in the room change colour depending on the section of the balance beam the child stands on. This can help make a challenging activity fun and engaging and in turn strengthen the child’s ability to balance and gain better understanding of the relationship between their body and their surroundings.

Bubble Tubes

Children with ideomotor dyspraxia and ideational dyspraxia can struggle with carrying out simple tasks and understanding the relationships in sequences and between cause and effect. Bubble tubes are durable plastic tubes with bubble jets and LED lights, controllable by a remote. They can help individuals with dyspraxia carry out the simple task of using a remote control and seeing the immediate, calming effects of the bubbles as a stand-alone task or to practice sequences and routines in a relaxing environment.

Fibre Optics

Often found in sensory rooms, fibre optics are long strands of LED lights and offer a calming solution to exercising fine motor skills. LED strands and spotlights are a safe, tactile, and visual way to try different grips and explore dexterity in a relaxing way. Fibre optics can help children with dyspraxia to strengthen fine motor skills for holding pens, cutlery and small toys.

Soundboards

Interactive soundboards are picture boards with frames in which to display your own images or words. Children with dyspraxia can use soundboards to help develop their communication skills, decision-making skills, gross and fine motor skills, and number, colour, and shape recognition.

Sensory props are invaluable resources when it comes to supporting a child with dyspraxia. If you’re considering implementing any of these dyspraxia strategies at home or at school, our blog posts on planning and building a sensory room can help you with ideas.

What is Sensory Processing Disorder?

SPD is a neurophysiological condition which affects people whose brains struggle to process or integrate stimuli because sensory signals are not picked up or sorted into the appropriate responses by the brain. The condition was previously named Sensory Integration Disorder for this reason.

For people with SPD, the brain can either over or under-process sensory information, causing a spectrum of issues from sensory overload (hypersensitivity) to an inability to experience sensory information at all (hyposensitivity). Someone experiencing hypersensitivity may adopt a sensory-avoiding approach when they feel overwhelmed, while someone experiencing hyposensitivity become sensory-seeking in a bid for heightened sensory stimulation.

It is worth noting that sufferers of SPD can also switch between both tendencies depending on factors such as the time of day and their environment, so while they may be sensory avoiding at home they could display signs of sensory-seeking in a different social setting, or vice versa. This means symptoms are not predictable, and someone with SPD may not present with a typical combination of symptoms.

Sensory Processing Disorder Symptoms

There are a number of signs of SPD and someone with SPD may experience some or all of the general symptoms. SPD sufferers may present symptoms in the following ways:

• Inability to understand where their bodies are in terms of how much space they take up and where they are in relation to other people and objects leading to clumsiness, knocking things over, or bumping into people.
• An intolerance of certain textures, such as seams, labels, rough or itchy fabrics like wool, and different food textures. (Hypersensitivity)
• Aversity to physical touch from others. (Hypersensitivity)
• Constantly touching things. (Hyposensitivity)
• Slow response to extreme heat or extreme cold. (Hyposensitivity)
• Taking physical risks or being rough due to a high pain threshold and disregard for the personal space of others. (Hyposensitivity)
• Difficulties with fine motor skills, such as writing or fiddly tasks.
• An intolerance of loud or sudden noises such as dogs barking or sirens, and the need to find a quiet place when in a noisy setting. (Hypersensitivity)
• Anxiety in response to bright lights or colours. (Hypersensitivity)

These are just some symptoms of SPD and this list is not exhaustive.

Sensory Processing Disorder Tools

Although there is no medication available for SPD, there are a number of strategies to help alleviate the symptoms.

Occupational Therapy or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help SPD sufferers learn coping mechanisms to prevent them from becoming overwhelmed or distressed. Treatment can include learning self-awareness to spot the signs of SPD and self-soothe before experiencing distress. Some therapists may also recommend using a sensory diet.

This includes practical techniques which allow SPD sufferers to self-regulate using a variety of sensory experiences. For example, a calming sensory room can help create a soothing space using LED bubble tubes, LED projections, and fibre optics. While out and about, carrying a sensory object with them can help SPD sufferers to self-regulate in busy areas, at school, or at work. Sound boards and sensory toys can also help improve hand-eye coordination or fine motor skills, while incorporating combinations of visual, auditory, or tactile stimulation.

Explaining Sensory Processing Disorder isn’t always easy but by using a combination of sensory aids and appropriate therapy, SPD can become easier to regulate and manage over time.

As the autistic spectrum is so incredibly varied, signs that a person might have the disorder also vary drastically, which often makes autism difficult to diagnose. Nevertheless, some symptoms are more common than others. Keep reading for further details of what these are, as well as how you can help autistic individuals with the right sensory aids.

The Signs of Autism in Infants

Signs of autism first make an appearance in infancy. Recognising the signs of autism in infants is key to seeking the right treatment that’ll allow the individual to successfully grow and learn with the support and tools that they need. As stated above, autism embodies a very large spectrum, which means some babies (and adults) will only display mild impairments, whereas others will find day to day life more challenging. The following areas however are those which all autistic individuals will find problematic;

1. Communication (both verbal and non-verbal).
2. Relating to other people, as well as the world in general.
3. Being adaptable with their thoughts and behaviour.

In babies, the above is primarily shown by a lack of; eye contact, willingness to play games or mimic expressions, smiling and laughter, noise in general including response to name call, willingness to follow visual cues such as pointing, making gestures, cuddling, and noticing if others hurt themselves. Autistic behaviour can therefore be understood as the absence of regular behaviour, rather than the addition of irregular behaviour. In babies, this can at first come across as simply being ‘undemanding’ or ‘quiet’, which is why many autistic traits are not picked up on and diagnosed straight away.

It is widely agreed that early intervention in autism helps, due to baby’s brain’s ability to be moulded. If you spot the above signs during infancy, speak to you GP or child development specialist as soon as possible.

Further Characteristics of Autism

In children and into adulthood, the above traits then develop even further;

1. Regarding difficulty with speech and language, autistic children and adults may speak in abnormal tones, repeat phrases excessively, regularly use language incorrectly, refer to themselves in the third person, find it difficult to understand simple directions, questions or statements, and take things incredibly literally.
2. Regarding communication, autistic individuals’ facial expressions commonly do not suit their actual mood, they often cannot pick up on other people’s expressions either, they display excessive clumsiness, and react tremendously strongly to certain sights, smells, textures and sounds.
3. Regarding inflexibility, autistic individuals tend to follow rigid routines, and become upset at the slightest disruption of said routine or indeed any change in schedule/environment. They may also display unusual attachments to inanimate objects, obsessively line up or order said objects, and become transfixed on moving or spinning objects. Many also memorise and recite specific facts and statistics about niche topics of interest.

Sensory Aids For Autism

Our Respiro Community Sensory Room

One of the most effective methods of helping those with autism is through sensory aids. The sensory needs of an individual with autism vary greatly and are much more complex than those without. As previously discussed, autistic individuals are easily overwhelmed, and subsequently require regular sensory breaks to remove upsetting stimulus to alleviate the risk of breakdowns.

One of the best and most effective sensory aids for autism is therefore access to a sensory room. Sensory rooms for autism have proven to be an ideal environment as they enable autistic individuals to calm down and relax; something they can find incredibly difficult in a ‘normal’ environment.

Spending time in a sensory room, with softened lighting, fibre optics, projectors, bubble tubes and aromatherapy, plus therapeutic sound and music, creates an environment that filters out extraneous sensory information (the common source of an autistic individual’s overwhelm). This environment allows those with autism to organise their thoughts, better process information, and subsequently communicate, speak and socialise much more effectively. Sensory rooms for autism therefore reduce anxiety and remove sensory blockage. For further details of the wonderful benefits sensory aids for autism provide, please read our blog post on the subject.

We are experts in the realm of sensory equipment and the life-changing impact it can have on special populations. If you require any further information on the effect sensory equipment can have on autistic individuals, or need help choosing and setting up your own sensory environment for autism, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team!

By now, in 2019, you've probably heard the term 'sensory room' more than a few times. These multi-sensory environments are popping up everywhere, and outside of the usual care/specialist environments too, from dental practices to mainstream schools and even football stadiums. With all this positive buzz, you might be left wondering, 'what exactly is a sensory room?'. As the UK's number 1 creators of multi-sensory equipment, here at Experia we're passionate about spreading awareness of just how valuable and important access to sensory rooms and other multi-sensory environments is. Keep reading to discover exactly what sensory rooms are, and who they benefit!

What is a Sensory Room, & Who do they Benefit?

Our Wabi-Sabi Calming Sensory Room, featuring bubbles tubes, fibre optic lights and projectors

Sensory rooms are indoor environments specially designed to provide a full multi-sensory experience to their users. Originally, the purpose of these rooms was to provide a de-escalation area and relaxing environment, particularly for people with autism, emotional and behavioural difficulties and sensory processing disorder, who, because of their conditions, regularly require a safe space to maintain emotions and behaviour. Sensory rooms are completely free of distraction, and subsequently allow the user to immerse themselves within this protective environment, largely thanks to the different sensory equipment they contain. For those with the above conditions, sensory rooms can be an absolute lifesaver, especially in overwhelming public scenarios.

A multi-sensory environment can be achieved without a full sensory room through the use of sensory products; however, a sensory room is almost always the preferred option.

Different Users and Abilities

Our Karvonen Sensory Room built for those with Dementia, featuring a bubble wall, LED lighting effects and reminiscent music

Whilst it's true that certain special populations require more use of, and get more out of, multi-sensory environments such as sensory rooms, that's not to say the rooms don't also hold tremendous value for other users and abilities. The following are just some additional special populations that also benefit greatly from the use of a sensory room – click on each to learn more about the sensory rooms benefits for that group specifically:

- those with; Alzheimer's
- Asperger's Syndrome
- ADHD
- Cerebral Palsy
- Dementia
- Down Syndrome
- Dyslexia
- Epilepsy, and
- Self harm issues.

However, even those who do not fall into any special abilities category can still benefit from the use of a sensory room, to process thoughts and emotions when life becomes overwhelming. Indeed, it's highly arguable that time spent in sensory rooms benefits all ages and abilities.

The key reason that sensory rooms are advantageous to so many diverse abilities is that different types of sensory room and equipment exist, and each with different goals. Some improve fine motor skills, some aid shape recognition, some facilitate reminiscence and aid memory, and some focus on sound and music therapy (amongst numerous other uses). Many focus on a mixture of the above, which allows various abilities to use the same room for different purposes.

What Does a Sensory Room Contain?

Our Ikigai Premium Interactive Sensory Room, featuring multi-button controllers, bubble tubes and projectors

Whilst different sensory rooms can contain diverse equipment, depending on the need the room is fulfilling, some popular sensory products are pretty universal, and can be found in almost every sensory room. Some of the UK's most popular sensory products include fibre optics, projectors, and, of course, bubble tubes.

When deciding what a sensory room should contain, the first question you should ask yourself is; what is the room's purpose? Whilst sensory rooms serve a multitude of purposes, they can largely be categorised as either calming or stimulating; either providing a relaxing, de-stressing space, or an interactive area to inspire the imagination and encourage exploration and learning. Once you've decided which type of environment you'd like to create, you can then fill your room accordingly with the appropriate equipment. Some equipment, such as the above popular products, can be used to both calm and stimulate. Browse our range for a better idea of which items you could include in your room.

It's also key to make sure you're accommodating each different sense. Some items may be auditory, some may be visually focused, some may make use of touch, and so on. Sensory rooms should therefore either contain a mixture of products to suit all senses, or include only those required by a particular individual's needs, if the sensory room is to be private.

Browse all of our sensory rooms here. And if you need help setting up a sensory room in your local area, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team of sensory experts, and we'll gladly assist! Alternatively, keep reading our blog for more sensory information and resources.

What is a Sensory Room and What are the Benefits of Sensory Rooms in Schools?

A sensory room (also referred to as a 'quiet' or 'calming' room) is a special room that employs sensory-controlled techniques to bring about positive effects in individuals who struggle with sensory-overload, many of which are from special populations. The benefits of having sensory, or quiet rooms in schools are abundant. Having a calming room in schools;

- Provides a safe and supportive space to escape the noise of a busy classroom
- Promotes the inclusion of special populations into non-specialist schools (63% of autistic students are currently in mainstream schools)
- Helps parents who cannot afford private sensory rooms at home
- Allows special populations to succeed academically by providing them with the tools and safe space they require to concentrate and learn
- Relieves pressure on teachers in the classroom
- Enables students to experience effective sensory strategies outside of the home
- Manages students' emotions in an effective, gentle way
- Alleviates and regulates emotional and behavioural difficulties
- Greatly facilitates a wide range of special educational needs, from autistic individuals to students with learning difficulties, and even those with physical disabilities
- Enables students to develop and learn at their own pace, without pressure
- Has a knock-on effect on all students' learning, by limiting distractions and reducing strain on teaching resources
- Can be used by other students as a relaxing zone or to develop skillsets
- Reduces the risk of crisis situations occurring which affect all students

Whilst hurdles to installing sensory rooms in schools do exist, these can be overcome, and are far outweighed by the benefits they provide. A lack of funds can be accommodated for via parent donations, support from charities, and fundraising at school fairs and through other means. As for finding correct sensory room supervision, local specialist support groups offer voluntary help. It's also a good idea to seek out university students studying special educational needs for placement opportunities, as well as co-sharing sensory facilities with other nearby schools.

How to Create a Multisensory Room at School

Our Respiro community sensory room

Creating an effective multisensory room depends entirely on choosing the right sensory products to fill your room appropriately. Whilst private sensory rooms are tailored to target a particular individual's sensory needs, in a shared environment you'll want to accommodate all. Fret not, for this is perfectly achievable with the right products.

Different sensory environments exist, which are largely categorised as either calming or interactive. Whilst some products accommodate one or the other, several accommodate both and can be used to stimulate or calm. Bubble tubes, for example, are soothing to watch, yet also stimulate visual and communicative development.

For the actual design of the room, curved walls, ample space and openness is most beneficial, whilst painting the room's walls in calming colours will also massively help. If possible, refrain from having windows in your sensory room, as this will enable you to control the environment's lighting. Finally, locate your sensory room in a quiet part of school (i.e. not next to the playground or music department!).

If on a limited budget, investing in fibre optics, along with bean bags and soothing music, can create a simple yet effective sensory room for only a couple hundred pounds. Smaller sensory items can also all add up to create an effective multi-sensory environment, without the price tag of larger equipment. These include mirror balls, mini bubble tubes, and a whole host of smaller sensory toys.

See our blog post for more information on how to plan your sensory room.

Sensory Rooms in Other Public Venues

Watford FC's Vicarage Road, courtesy of Wikipedia.org

We've already seen the benefits of sensory rooms in care homes, which include increased communication between residents and carers, a better understanding by patients of the environment around them, and improved behaviour and mood. Along with schools, multisensory environments in busy public venues, such as shopping centres, airports and football stadiums, are also growing, the importance of which cannot be overemphasised. Having safe spaces in these overwhelming environments enables those with learning and sensory difficulties to receive the support they need wherever they are, enabling them to enjoy life to the full; just as it should be!

If you need assistance setting up your school's sensory room, contact the sensory experts at Experia today, or keep reading our blog for more multisensory resources.

Coined by OT Patricia Wilbarger in 1984, a sensory diet essentially entails the adjusting of sensory input to suit an individual's specific sensory needs. This is done by utilising suitable sensory products and activities that together form a sensory strategy to target and accommodate those needs. For children, these activities are commonly incorporated into play. Having the correct sensory diet in place improves occupational performance and aids the functioning of sensory processing systems, as well as helps to develop key faculties, such as gross and fine motor skills. Continue reading →The post What is a Sensory Diet and How Do Sensory Diets Differ? appeared first on Sensory Blog.]]> Mon, 07 Jan 2019 12:00:43 +0000 https://www.experia-innovations.co.uk/blog/what-is-sensory-diet-and-how-does-it-differ/ https://www.experia-innovations.co.uk/blog/what-is-sensory-diet-and-how-does-it-differ/ gareth.jones@experia-innovations.co.uk (Gareth Jones) Gareth Jones