Multi-Sensory Room Opens

The Douglas Center celebrated the newly created Multi-Sensory Therapy Room on Wednesday, January 13, 2016. A grant from the Coleman Foundation help make the creation of this environment possible.  Multi-Sensory Therapy provides a responsive sensory-focused environment for individuals with special needs. Clark McCain, Senior Program Officer for the Coleman Foundation joined in the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The new area enables participants to interact with specific objects in a controlled setting at their own pace. The environment utilizes light, sound, smell and a range of specialized equipment designed to create an environment that is conducive to relaxation. The state-of-the-art equipment has proven beneficial in reducing problems with self-injurious behaviors, relieving agitation, promoting relaxation and the modulation of their own emotions.  Individuals with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities show increased concentration, alertness and awareness of their environment with the use of Multi-Sensory Room Therapy.

Participants interact with the equipment in small groups with the assistance of a case manager who has been trained in Multi-Sensory Therapy. The multi-sensory room provides individuals with varied optical, acoustic, olfactory and tactile stimuli, assisting individuals in increasing their concentration and focus. Additionally, the effectiveness of these types of environments extends into providing new ways of encouraging learning, motor development, cognitive development, language and social interaction skills. The goal is to provide a relaxing activity that is designed to create a feeling of safety and stimulation that is under the control of the participant. “This program will assist individuals with disabilities in becoming more effective and productive members of society,” stated Rifath Khan.