Sensory Rooms and their use for Treatments

Sensory rooms were first developed in the Netherlands (which is where the reference to Snoezelen therapy or treatment originates) in the 1970s, when experts successfully combined music, aromas and lighting to better the behavior of their challenging patients. Since then, sensory rooms have become recognized worldwide for their health benefits to both adults and children alike, as well as to those who suffer from various disabilities.

Sensory rooms are now used by many schools, nurseries, hospitals and other types of healthcare and rehabilitation facilities in order to create a relaxing atmosphere by use of sensory equipment such as bubble tubes. Together, the sensory components work together to encourage clients to feel calm by focusing on their surroundings.

By using various colors, sensory rooms are designed to help create a calm and relaxed atmosphere to those suffering from stress and other related conditions, sensory rooms also promote the development of life skills and other health benefits such as hand-eye co-ordination and much more.

Superactive Sensory Room

For clients suffering from visual impairment, dark rooms are used to enhance the variation of dark and bright colors. It is also common practice for sensory rooms and dark rooms to be found in the same establishment.

The sensory rooms offered by Experia are designed to meet specific requirements, making them one of the top experts in this industry today. Ideally the rooms will already be darkened with little noise and other distractions.

The various elements that are often known to be used in sensory rooms to enhance the clients experience include things that play on their senses. This will therefore include things that they can feel, see, hear, smell and taste such as music and aromas, in order to touch on all of their senses simultaneously.

Once the sensory rooms are prepared, clients can then enter them totally relaxed with a sense of control. It also allows individuals with a disability to have a positive effect on the environment around them and not feel distracted during their experience.

Not only do Experia offer some of the most highly sought after sensory rooms in the market, but they also provide a unique range of other high quality related sensory equipment. They currently have several sensory and multi-sensory carts available which can be specially made to include other sensory enhancing equipment such as bubble tubes, sound systems, aromatherapy products, image projectors, scented lotions and soft textured objects for the clients to touch.

Furthermore, the company have developed a range of Sensory Room Packages (or bundles) for those looking for a quick and easy solution to a purchasing a sensory room. Each package has been developed together with one of the worlds leading Occupational Therapists to suit a specific purpose.

These packages are ideal for schools, nursing homes and hospices. Some of the leading sensory bundles include the Superactive Sensory Room bundle, the Sensory Corner Bundle and the Sensory Bathroom Bundle.

For more information on sensory rooms and all of the sensory products available today visit the Experia Sensory Equipment website.

Stimulating the Senses with a Bubble Tube

What is a Bubble Tube and Why Are Bubble Tubes So Important?

As a sensory experience, the bubble tube – in simple terms something resembling a lava lamp – is just one of a range of sensory equipment devices that provides a wide range of benefits to assist mainly children but also increasingly young people, adults and the elderly, with relaxation and threatening behavioral problems.

Bubble Tubes in a Sensory Room

The ascending bubbles and constantly changing colored lights have a soothing and mesmerizing effect, whilst the columns of bubbles give off a gentle, soothing vibration.

Found in nurseries and playgroups, special schools, family centers and nursing homes, the bubble tube has proved invaluable as an aid in the exploration and development of all-important social skills.

Monitoring Stress and Agitated Behavior

Bubble tubes provide a restful and calming atmosphere, allowing health professionals to observe and monitor stressful behavior in patients.

In many cases the bubble tube is used to promote relaxation for those who suffer from stress and agitation and in some cases from those suffering from bouts of depression.

How Does a Bubble Tube Work?

Water is pumped around inside a bubble tube and the light is constantly changing color. The air that is blown into the tube causes moving bubbles to shimmer and flicker and the resultant effect is calming and cannot help but draw attention. This effect helps promote visual stimulation and encourages touch through the faint vibration.

The Very Latest Bubble Tubes

The most advanced bubble tube in the education, medical therapy and leisure arenas is one that can be programmed to allow the colors and bubbles to be controlled separately, or in combination.

The 14 different programs are designed for co-operative play as well as competitive games for one person or a group of players. This provides an invaluable tool for the development of many learning-specific skills as well as sensory experiences.

This latest bubble tube enables highly-dependent people to interact with it and each other on a par with physically and intellectually more able people.

Sensory Rooms

More and more schools and health-care facilities are creating sensory rooms or multi-sensory rooms stocked with a wide range of sensory equipment, which almost always includes a single or array of bubble tubes.

The sensory room’s equipment is designed to help people with relaxation and concentration techniques and also to help young people in particular, with learning and behavioral difficulties.

For best results it’s important that the room is able to be darkened and is free of noise and disturbance.

There are several sensory and multi-sensory rooms available on the market, all of which can be stocked with a bubble tube, a sound system producing soothing sounds, an array of aromatherapy products, a projector to project relevant soothing images, scented lotions, and textured and soft objects for the sensation of touch.