Multiple Multisensory Rooms: Myth Busting the Magic

Multisensory rooms are widely used across the country in schools, care settings, hospitals, and homes. Even settings such as football stadiums and airports are installing multisensory environments. This crucial book explores the use of multisensory rooms in order to ease that anxiety; taking the mystery out of multisensory rooms and supporting the reader to reflect and make the most out of their space.

Key Features

• Guidance on creating sensory spaces on any budget, to suit any level of need.
• An overview of the history of multisensory rooms, and a detailed exploration of the actual way in which the rooms are used today.
• A framework for evaluating existing practices and equipment, in order to maximise the potential of the room.
• A focus on the practitioner as the most important piece of ‘equipment’ in any sensory room.
• Written by a leading sensory specialist in a fully accessible way, this book is an invaluable tool for anybody who uses, or is considering using, a multisensory room.

Additional Information

Table of Contents
Foreword by Peter Imray
Foreword by Richard Hirstwood
Introduction
Orientation
Your part in this conversation
Address to parents
Address to professionals
Address to parents and professionals
Section One Now back to the story….where did multi-sensory rooms begin?
Orientation
The institutions of the past
The practices of the past
A past touching distance away
The structures of the past scaffold the present
Overview FISH (Find Idea Starters Here)
The terms and conditions
Orientation
Language, labels, prejudice and understanding
Let us do away with language
We can do it without words
With; new times – new terms
The days of profound and multiple learning disabilities are numbered
What name would you like? #flipthenarrative
Overview FISH
The Dawning of Snoezelen
Orientation
A tent pitched on history’s barren grounds
Change is defined by ideas, not spaces and objects
It is not about the room, it is about the heart
Overview
One little FISH
Five big FISH
Regard them with love
Know that they are good
Assume they are struggling and treat them with compassion
Play and be playful
View them as able
The beginning of multi-sensory rooms
Orientation
The ownership of snoezelen turns a philosophy into a room
The branding of multi-sensory rooms changes how information is shared and provokes the evolution of a new philosophy
Debating approaches
Overview FISH
Rooms multiply like rabbits
Orientation
The proliferation of multi-sensory rooms and their usage
Massive over claims about the efficacy of multi-sensory rooms grow the multi-sensory room industry
The proliferation of multi-sensory rooms is about more than money
Dangers arise from the misunderstandings
Further drivers of the proliferation of multi-sensory rooms
Better than nothing
Attractive
Lack of research
Overview FISH
Section Two
Orientation
Why is there a lack of research?
Anti research
So bad it could be funny
A stand-up routine of research fails
Fibre optics and bubble tubes hold magical healing properties
One person with an additional need represents all people with that need, and two people with additional needs represent anyone and everyone with any kind of additional need.
The voice of staff is the voice of everyone
The love of multi-sensory rooms is universal and knows no bounds
Control groups are not necessary, as one type of additional need is the same as another
The magic vanishes at the door
Overview FISH
What does it all mean?
Orientation
Unpicking the dark humour
The lack of research leaves us vulnerable
Are claims that multi-sensory rooms do no harm valid?
Funding is not available for other resources.
Overview FISH
What does the research that is out there tell us about the effectiveness of multi-sensory rooms?
Orientation
Mixed and mild
Mixed results
Positive results may be caused by other factors
Mild findings
It is not all positive
We just do not have the proof…and that is scary
Research is needed
Do we really need it?
Overview FISH
Section Three
Orientation
Without research advertising may take the place of knowledge
The new era of multi-sensory rooms looks set to repeat the mistakes of the past
No one is immune from bias
Overview FISH
Orientation
Is there another way?
Nature
Behaviour
Even if they work are they worth it?
Overview FISH
Orientation
Alternative Spaces
Big Spaces
A Tremendous Tent
A Yomping Yurt
An Improvised Tent
A Hygge Home
A Gorgeous Garden
A Withy Wonder
Beautiful Blackout
Simply Space
Superb Shadows
Glorious Gazebos
Water Worlds
Small Spaces
Brilliant Brollies
Lovely Little Rooms
Activity Arches
Sequence Strings
Happy Hula Hoops and Stupendous Shower Curtains
Affordable
Why would they want to go into the space?
What do I want to explore in this space?
Overview FISH
Section Four
Orientation
Report from Research - How are multi-sensory rooms currently being used?
Results: Overview table of interviewee responses
Noted aspects of the room
Overview of themes identified from the interviews
Next to no one receives training on how to use a multi-sensory room, but pretty much everyone gets taught how to turn the equipment in a multi-sensory room on and off.
Non-directive users of multi-sensory rooms were more likely to see long lasting effects from using the rooms.
Multi-sensory rooms are used with the intention of furthering engagement or promoting relaxation.
Questions prompted by these findings.
Further findings relating to room accessibility.
Multi-sensory rooms can be surprisingly inaccessible – design
Multi-sensory rooms can be surprisingly inaccessible – usage
Overview FISH
A detailed look at limiting factors influencing multi-sensory rooms
Orientation
Trigger happy facilitators
Broken items
Difficult journeys to the multi-sensory rooms
Timetabling
Parked Cinemas
Tech fear
Set up time
Containment zones
Overview FISH
The limitations of my research and the positive findings
Orientation
The limitations of my research
Positive findings
Control
Darkness
Uninterrupted
Focused
Wowness
Overview FISH
Section Five
Orientation
The most important piece of kit
It is innate
Wheat from chaff
A dozen clues
Four characteristics of people who do not get it.
Toughened
Power
Ended up here
Short thinking
Characteristics of people who do get it that are lacking from people who do not get it.
Reflective
They see personhood as separate to functionality
Empathetic
Confident
Strategies to enable someone who does not get it to get it
Feedback
Teach in the way they learn
Generate awareness: Experience, Micro-steps and Acceptance of difference.
Develop their view of their role: moving people on from being stunned or stagnant in their practice.
The Wow space
Reflecting on the question
Why employing on those who get it does not exempt you from needing to provide ongoing support.
Overview FISH
Focus on the positive
Orientation
The Sensory Story
Developing sensory awareness and ability
Hugh learning to see
Finding rest
Multi-sensory room with pre-school aged children
Making connections and gaining independence
Learning to reach
Learning to look
Ready, steady, go!
Barry’s story
Overview FISH
What about the people?
Overview
Flo Mo
In our weakness we find our strength
Use according to strengths
FISH Discussion
Conclusion
References

Author(s)
Biography
Joanna Grace is a Sensory Engagement and Inclusion Specialist, author, trainer, TEDx speaker, and founder of The Sensory Projects. Through her work at The Sensory Projects, she seeks to contribute to a future where people are understood in spite of their differences, doing this by sharing the knowledge and creativity required to turn inexpensive items into effective sensory tools for inclusion.

Joanna is an outstanding teacher who has worked supporting students of all abilities in mainstream and special school settings. Her work at The Sensory Projects extends beyond this to include adults and babies. Joanna has been a registered foster carer for children with additional needs. She is an avid consumer of research. When not on tour, Joanna spends her time writing from her home in Cornwall in a tiny village with no road names or house numbers.

Reviews

"Whether you already have a multisensory room at your place of work or home, or you are considering using one, then this book is for you. It is not always a comfortable read, but it is definitely timely and, hopefully, the start of a new move towards bringing the magic back into multisensory rooms." - Mary Atkinson, co-founder of the Story Massage Programme