Sensory Rooms
A sensory room, also referred to as a multi-sensory room or multi-sensory environment (MSE), is a space designed to stimulate multiple senses using specialized equipment. These environments are used for relaxation, therapy, and sensory exploration, helping individuals engage with their surroundings in a calming and controlled way. MSEs are often used in healthcare, education, and mental health settings to support sensory integration, emotional regulation, and well-being.
The term "Sensory Room" refers to a wide range of therapeutic spaces designed to encourage self-regulation and positive change. Various types of sensory rooms have been developed and applied across different practice areas for specific purposes. When used effectively, sensory rooms:
Create a safe and calming environment
Strengthen the therapeutic relationship
Offer opportunities for prevention, crisis de-escalation, and a variety of therapeutic activities (e.g., skill-building, engagement in therapeutic exercises)
Support self-care, resilience, and recovery
Sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, proprioception,
vestibular sense, and interoception .
In sensory room use, the eight senses are crucial in promoting sensory
integration, self-regulation, and emotional well-being.
Sensory rooms provide a controlled, multi-sensory environment where individuals
can explore and engage these senses to achieve balance and calm.
For example, visual stimuli like calming lights or tactile surfaces help individuals process sensory information,
while vestibular and proprioceptive activities enhance physical coordination and body awareness.
By stimulating or soothing these senses, sensory rooms offer therapeutic benefits, supporting relaxation,
stress reduction, and the development of coping skills for individuals with sensory processing challenges.
Our Acute Support Unit sensory room is equipped with a corner seat with vibroacoustic technology, a Solar 250 Projector, shutter bars, fibre optic carpet, and a giant bubble tube.
