There is so much more to the world of ‘Sensory’ than people may originally think. A ‘Sensory Room’ is an umbrella term used to categorise a variety of sensory spaces designed to positively impact special needs and disabilities.
Recently, it has become increasingly apparent how beneficial sensory rooms can be for people with mental health issues. Schools, care units, prisons and mental health centres have started to incorporate sensory designs into their environments.
Calming Rooms are the most popular sensory room in Mental Health Environments.
What Is A Calming Room?
The main purpose of a Sensory Room is to create an environment where everyday distractions are removed, and relaxation and concentration are encouraged. Unlike a Sensory Room, a Calming Room’s main objective is not to stimulate but to provide a gentle road to mental escape in a safe and secure environment.
Creating an environment where self-regulation is encouraged and rewarded.
When To Use A Calming Room
There are two important things to remember when it comes to the Calming Room. First, only use a sensory room before or after a crisis, NEVER during! Second, each room is designed for personal, one-on-one staff-to-client engagement—not room for big social groups.
The Benefits Of A Calming Room
- Creates a safe space
- Facilitates a therapeutic alliance
- Increases the ability to self-nurture
- Increases resilience
- Increases self-esteem and body image
- Increases the ability to engage in meaningful life roles
- Increases the ability to engage in social activities
- Increases ability to cope with triggers
Ways to use a Calming Room
- Proactively to prevent a crisis situation
- Responsively after a crisis to de-escalate and problem-solve
- For Self Regulation
Seclusion Methods vs Multi-Sensory Therapies
Over the years, there have been many debates and different opinions surrounding seclusion methods and multi-sensory therapies. Here are a few points to consider:
Seclusion Isolates:
- The patient spends less time in education (classroom/social environment)
- They are often left triggered, and very little is learned
- The message is, “I am alone, and I have to deal with this situation all by myself.”
- Creates more frustration, anger, irrational thoughts and behaviour
Multi-Sensory Engages:
- Sensory calming rooms engage both the staff and the user physically and cognitively.
- It teaches positive social skills over time.
- The message is, “this person wants to help me at my worst time, I have a choice on how to deal with this moving forward, and I will try and take control of my own emotions.”
- Improves engagement in education in and out of the sensory room
How Can You Recognise Early Warning Signs Of A Meltdown?
- Do you know your clients’ low-level cues?
- How do you normally respond to them?
- Do you think your response affects escalation?
Start making mental notes of early warning signs to better prepare yourself for when to intervene to prevent further escalation.
Calming Room Resources
It is important that your Calming Room incorporates a mixture of the following resources to suit a number of user needs and to stimulate mentally and physically:
Click on the links to view the products in more detail.
- Swing Platforms are used to improve directional and spatial awareness.
- Swing Bolsters are used to provide vestibular stimulation.
- Pea Pod, a deep-pressure inflatable pea pod, creates a secure, calming and relaxing experience for a user.
- Body Sox users can voluntarily climb inside this suit, which gently resists their movements, encouraging the exploration of movement.
- Body Roller provides deep pressure therapy as the user crawls between the rollers, squeezing out tension.
- Protac Sensit Chair, inside the chair are weighted balls that send impulses to the central nervous system, soothing muscles and minds.
- Projection and Light Effects creating relaxing and calming environments to suit users.
Mental Health covers a wide spectrum and there are so many different therapies and sensory solutions available to help. It can be difficult to decide which sensory support would be best for your service users. This is where we can help! With over 40 years of experience creating a wide variety of sensory environments our sensory team have the skills and knowledge to help. Get in touch for more information!