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SensoryPlus Awareness Days
SensoryPlus Awareness Days 2012....... (Bury, Lancs - Monday, 27th February) - (Reigate, Surrey - Thursday, 8th March) - (Stafford - Wednesday, 21st March) - (Newcastle-upon-Tyne - Thursday, 19th April) - (Cardiff - Tuesday, 25th September) - (Sheffield - Thursday, 18th October)
23rd January 2012
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Saving Grace with a Safe Room
For many conditions where people may be at risk of injury from challenging or destructive behaviour, or a tendency to self-harm, a custom built safe space can prove invaluable. Designed as a room within a room and built of industrial strength material, combined with a thick, padded floor, they significantly reduce the danger of harm from hard surfaces such as walls and furniture.
16th January 2012
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Calming Connor with Sensory
When eighteen month old Connor, from the village of Rhiwderin near Newport in South Wales, was finally diagnosed as severely autistic he was highly active but demonstrated a complete lack of communication, leading to inevitable frustrations.
13th January 2012
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Penn's Primary School
Sensory Playhouse - Where ideas are made into reality!
13th December 2010
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The Big SensoryPlus Sale
Back to School Special Edition
7th October 2010
Designing a Sensory Environment
Where to Start?
Embarking on the development of a Sensory and/or Soft Play environment can be a fairly daunting task.With a plethora of equipment and resources available, it could be considered a minefield!
However, by taking a methodical and structured approach, researching the market and understanding both staff and client needs a successful environment and resource can be developed.
It is essential at the outset of such a project that unambiguous aims and objectives are set and there is a clear understanding of why the environment is being developed and what is expected to be achieved from having such a facility. This can help consolidate expectations and requirements and will ultimately ensure that the most appropriate environment is developed according to need.
Open and frank discussions with all members of staff can help to formulate ideas and encourage “buy-in” and commitment to the project and its successful integration into daily lives. It is important to gain both enthusiasm and commitment for both the initial and on-going development of the Sensory and/or Soft Play environment to ensure it is utilised effectively and efficiently.
The best place to start is by consulting the team at SensoryPlus. We are experienced in the use and set up of Multi Sensory and/or Soft Play environments and we are keen to provide an alternative insight into possible approaches to development and pitfalls to avoid!
The Basics of a Sensory Environment
Traditionally a typical sensory environment will incorporate distraction free areas alongside a selection of different equipment including, for example:
- Projection equipment
- Sound system to produce music and other effects
- Fibre optics
- Bubble tubes
- Mirror balls
- Pinspot and colour wheel
What can such equipment be used for?
Projection Equipment
The incorporation of projection equipment contributes to a wealth of activities in any sensory environment including:
- Development of tracking skills
- Creating themed atmospheres
- Developing word and letter association activities
- Encouraging colour matching
- Development of cause and effect skills
- Encouraging hand and eye co-ordination
- Facilitating communication skills
Typical projection equipment includes:
- Solar 100, Solar 250 or Space Projectors
- Wheel and Cassette rotators (various speeds available)
- Effects Wheels and Cassettes
- Variety of lenses for different effects around a room
Bubble Tubes
Bubble Tubes are often considered to be the heart of the sensory environment, drawing attention and interest through the constantly changing colours and moving bubbles. Bubble Tubes can be used for:
- Visual Stimulation
- Development of cause and effect skills
- Colour sequencing for colour matching
- Encouraging touch through vibration
- Use in themed activities
Typical bubble tube equipment includes:
- Bubble tubes varying heights from 1m upwards
- Ball and Bead Flow Bubble tubes
- Switch Controlled Bubble tubes
- Portable Bubble tubes
- Bubble Screens
- Bubble Domes
Fibre Optics
Fibre optics provide a stunning, visual and tactile experience. They are safe to stroke, hold, wrap around the body and lie among. The constantly changing colours along the length of the fibres focuses attention whilst having a calming affect.
The benefits from using fibre optics include:
- Relaxing and calming effect
- Encouraging movement—to walk, crawl, explore amongst
- Visual tracking skills
- Tactile work
- Colour matching
- Directional skills
- Fine motor skills
- Communication
Typical fibre optic equipment includes:
- Glow Walls
- Side Glows
- Fibre Optic Curtains
- Star Carpets, Ceilings and Boxes
- Ultra Violet Fibre Optics
Switching Systems
Switching systems can play a major role in a sensory environment and is considered to be an empowering tool, facilitating changes to the immediate environment and enabling communication with others.
The benefits of incorporating a switching system include:
- Development of basic cause and effect skills
- Encouraging “turn taking”
- Progressing hand—eye co-ordination skills
- Encouraging vocalisation
- Give control and choices
- Enables integration for those with severe disabilities
- Allows the linking of sounds, pictures and stories
- Encourages body awareness and movement
- Develops learning, co-operation and interaction skills
Typical switching equipment includes:
- Radio remote switch control unit
- Radio transmitter
- Low profile switches
- Dome button switch
- Hand held dome switch
- Sound Switch
- Touch Stick Switch
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