Sensory Profile in the Snoezelen Intervention

Abstract

In this article we present a tool for professionals who work in care services (24-hour services) with people with a type of dependency and/or developmental disability, such as dementia and/or Alzheimer's, intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders etc. Sensory interventions for these people are primarily focused on offering them better quality of life and increased emotional well-being. Sensations are the basis of well-being and are present and functioning in everyone, regardless of their level of dependence. The main challenge for professionals and institutions is to provide the most appropriate intervention to each person and, thereby, ensure a pleasant and enjoyable environment and daily activities that accord with his/her capabilities. It is necessary to start from the most reliable knowledge possible of the sensory capacities, tastes, and sensory preferences of the subject. The article includes practical examples of Sensory Assessments that allow us to elaborate the Sensory Profile of a person, involving every sense (visual, auditory, tactile, proprioceptive, olfactory, gustatory, and vestibular), in order to identify the sensory capacities of the person, his/her tastes, and sensations of displeasure and discomfort. Based on qualitative observational methods, the article provides a practical guide to performing a Sensory Assessment.

Effectiveness of Snoezelen in older adults with neurocognitive and other pathologies: A systematic review of the literature

“…The person's sensory profile indicates how their sensory functioning is, and sensory preferences refer to personal inclinations. This information will help them choose multisensory stimuli that are pleasurable, familiar and suitable for their needs (Aznar‐Calvo et al, 2019; Rodriguez et al, 2021). Regarding the sensory profile, only one study (#5) takes it into account and did the evaluation with the Adult Sensory Profile (ASP) and the Pool Activity Level (PAL) tools.…”

“…Older people, especially those diagnosed with dementia, may have a lower sensory threshold. They are very sensitive to situations of either sensory deprivation or overload which can worsen neuropsychiatric symptomatology (Aznar‐Calvo et al, 2019; Maseda et al, 2014; Milev et al, 2008; Rodriguez et al, 2021; Sánchez et al, 2016). As such, SMSS allows meeting the person's sensory profile and sensory preferences, which will help understand if the older adult has a hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity profile to environmental stimuli.…”

“…Sensory preferences were considered in six studies (#2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12) of this review work, but not all. It is worth mentioning that the most recent literature begins to replace the term ‘sensory preferences’ with the word ‘sensobiography’, which results from the junction of the person's life history with the sensory preferences (Aznar‐Calvo et al, 2019; Rodriguez et al, 2021). Only one study (#5) considered the sensory profile using the Adult Sensory Profile (ASP) and the Pool Activity Level (PAL) tools.…”

“…The person's sensory profile indicates how their sensory functioning is, and sensory preferences refer to personal inclinations. This information will help them choose multisensory stimuli that are pleasurable, familiar and suitable for their needs (Aznar-Calvo et al, 2019;Rodriguez et al, 2021).…”

“…sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste, proprioceptive and vestibular) in a prepared environment. The multisensory stimuli are managed to match the sensory profile, sensory preferences and individual therapeutic necessities (Aznar‐Calvo et al, 2019; Rodriguez et al, 2021). SMSS does not require high‐level cognitive processing and takes place in a pleasant context (Hulsegge & Verheul, 1987; Verheul, 2007).…”