Health care workers demonstrate the benefits of calming machine on residents
By Joel Ceausu, The Suburban
March 21, 2018
Laval’s Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) has officially opened a new multisensory room at the Résidence Louise-Vachon.
Over the last few months, the Chomedey residence for persons with an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder has been working on the implementation of the Snoezelen-inspired room that will allow users to participate in new stimulation activities according to their needs identified by the clinical team.
Developed in the Netherlands in the 1970s, the Snoezelen approach offers a sensory therapeutic experience for various types of clientele, who can enjoy this new room which, through various facilities, solicits hearing, sight, touch, smell and motor development. The room offers various stations equipped, among other things, with fiber optics to create games of light and projectors to broadcast videos or images.
Users can explore – at their own pace – the many sensations that provoke many benefits, including physical and mental relaxation. “We also noticed that users who frequent this new room have a decrease in their anxiety and a more regular level of arousal” said CISSS director of programs for intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder and physical disabilities, Gary Stoopler. “We are also very pleased to see that users are communicating more. These are just a few of the many benefits of this approach that also strengthens the therapeutic relationship between users and their various stakeholders.” Fifteen 15 specialists from the CISSS Center for Rehabilitation of Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder received specialized training in this approach, and more will be trained in the coming months.
Click here to read article on The Suburban...
