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Twenty years ago, the SNOEZELEN approach was a radical departure from traditional therapeutic modalities. “We do not declare aims beforehand,” stated Hulsegge and Verheul in their landmark book, SNOEZELEN: Another World. The idea of a non-directive approach was central to their philosophy of SNOEZELEN and allowed them to reason that they could see their clients as they really were, free to make their own choices. If their clients entered the room “blank,” every possibility would be open for them. They could react and respond to this new sensory world in their own special way—free from the pressures to perform or achieve, liberated from control and routine, and detached from medical diagnosis and known limitations.
SNOEZELEN is not bound by a specific professional discipline, therapy, facility, or client profile. Rather, it is a philosophy and a concept to be utilized as a resource to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and other limiting conditions.
When you are using a SNOEZELEN room as part of your therapeutic approach, remember the following:
- Expect individual differences and variations in sensory regulation styles.
- Recognize sensory processing and regulatory challenges within all interactions.
- Keep activities experience-based and meaningful. Be flexible and seize opportunities for spontaneous interactions.
- Work at the client’s developmental level.
- Tailor group activities to meet the needs of all clients at different levels.
- Focus on independence rather than perfect task completion.
- Base sensory comfort level on client.
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