THE CREEK-SIDE SNOEZELEN CENTRE

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The Creek-side Snoezelen Centre is a therapeutic environment beneficial to children and adults with sensory, cognitive and physical disabilities. Our centre was developed to satisfy perceptual needs of individuals with severe learning and sensory disabilities.

The Snoezelen Centre offers a fun, recreational and multi-sensory environment for persons with disabilities that provides stimulation and relaxation through the use of smell, touch, sound, color and light.

The centre promotes relaxation or stimulation involving a range of sensory stimuli and experiences to absorb and explore in a controlled environment. Trust and relaxation are encouraged in the centre by providing the space, time and access to enjoy sensations. In a safe, comfortable environment, the individual's primary senses are stimulated by music, lighting effects and gentle vibrations. Positive effects extend to other settings, while stimulation and interaction leads to improved communication.

HISTORY OF THE SNOEZELEN ROOM

The treatment was originally developed as a leisure experience for adults with severe learning difficulties. It originated in Holland in the late 1970's from two psychiatrists, Jan Hulsegge and Ad Verheul. While working at the De Hartenberg Institute, a centre for persons with intellectual disabilities, they began to research the benefits of exposing severely challenged individuals to special sensory environments. Before long, they set up an experimental sensory tent at their annual summer fair. This would become the first Snoezelen room. "Snoezelen" is a combination of the Dutch words "snuffelen," meaning to seek out or explore, and "doezelen," which means to relax.

The Snoezelen Room promotes relaxation through the gentle use of aromas, tactile, audio and visual stimulation: an approach that, when introduced, marked a radical departure from traditional therapies. The participant is in control of his or her interaction with the environment, thereby reducing any feelings of pressure. The Room provides accessible relaxation away from the cares of a disability. Snoezelen allows all people, regardless of their ability level, to enjoy relaxation and active play at a rate that they are able to control.

imageThe Snoezelen treatment recognizes that everyone has the right to experience quality leisure. Children, especially, need time for play, relaxation and enjoyment in a pleasurable and stimulating setting. The Snoezelen Room provides a non-threatening environment where one can simply enjoy combinations of music, lighting effects, gentle vibrations and touch. Free choice is encouraged in the Snoezelen Room. An atmosphere of safety and security is created, without pressure or outside control. Snoezelen is the first opportunity some children have to control their environment through making choices, a vital step in self-realization. There is a range of sensory stimulations to absorb, explore and control in this accessible environment, with the participants free to respond to these new sensations in their own unique way.

BENEFITS

  • Snoezelen provides opportunities for pleasurable sensory experiences generated in an atmosphere of trust and relaxation.
  • Snoezelen rooms can be arranged to stimulate the primary senses without the need for intellectual activity.
  • Communication and understanding between participants can be improved as the pressure to achieve is removed while developing trust.
  • Children, who have perceptual difficulties, gain pleasure from the visual, auditory and tactile experiences. The gentle stimulation has a soothing effect that helps relieve agitation.

CONTACT INFO

Centre Ph. 250.591.3041

Tara Bishop, Coordinator
Ph. 1(250)739.3407

205 Aebig Rd.,
Nanaimo, BC