Research Guides: Autism Resources: Multi-Sensory Environment

What is a Multi-Sensory Environment?

"Multi Sensory Environments (MSEs) are designed with two goals in mind: to promote intellectual activity and to encourage relaxation. A Multi Sensory Environment is a dedicated space or room where sensory stimulation can be controlled (intensified or reduced), presented in isolation or combination, packaged for active or passive interaction, and matched to fit the perceived motivation, interests, leisure, relaxation, therapeutic and/or educational needs of the user."

Rehab Mart: Tools for the Job of Living

Multisensory learning tools are designed to promote cognitive and intellectual activity with multimodal integration of two or more sensory modalities of sound, touch, smell, sight and motion to assist individuals with sensory processing disabilities to overcome obstacles that limit the stimulation of proper sensory integration, assisting with learning a more complete sensory experience.

Multi-Sensory Environments (MSE) Tips

Hidden Angel Foundation: Multi-Sensory Room
Mulit-Sensory Environments (MSE) include:

• Lighting effects, such as projectors with wheels that disburse light patterns throughout the room, bubble lamps, spotlights, star panels, fiber optics, UV lights, mirror balls and even Christmas lights. These lighting effects are best seen if the room has a total blackout capability.

• Sensory activities such as blowing bubbles, finger painting, and using play dough.

• Tactile experiences such as touching various, changing textures that are included in an interactive tactile wall panel.

• Cause and effect items such as the use of switches to allow the individual to control items within his or her environment, and toys that provide visual effects, vibrate, make noise, or have a tactile feel.

• Soft items on the floor such as mats, pillows, or beanbags.

• Sound effects such as children’s music, nature sounds, or animal sounds.

• Selected rhythmical music with a variety of tone, pitch, rhythm, and spacing can be used to soothe children.

• Tasting experiences of different flavored drinks and foods.

• Motion stimulation