Imagine a room in which you can make stars shine with just the flick of a switch, paint the walls in color or soothing images, illuminate beaded curtains in the dark, hear soft music, change the color and flow of bubbling water through a tube or change the smell of the air you breathe. Welcome to an environment that can awaken your senses.

For individuals with neurological and/or cognitive challenges (and even those without) a sensory room offers a link to a whole new world. Time spent in a multi-sensory environment has been shown to elicit improved concentration and alertness, calming behavior and a greater awareness of the surrounding world. Children and adults diagnosed with psychiatric disabilities, substance abuse and/or chemical dependencies often feel that they have little, impaired or no control over their bodies, environments or lives.

The Sensory Integration Environmental Treatment Unit recently developed at Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services provides an opportunity for a person, or small group of people, to control their surroundings during individual and group counseling sessions. This multi-sensory room is viewed as an adjunct to the more traditional form of clinical treatment.

This new multi-sensory environment is a specifically designed room that will allow persons with psychiatric disabilities, substance abuse and other emotional concerns such as traumatic stress, to create a wide range of sensory experiences. This unique environment can enhance therapy, learning and relaxation. The concept of sensory integration and application of these techniques as part of therapeutic treatment focus on particular senses such as touch, sight, hearing and smell.

These applications can be manifested in many ways, through special sound and visual effects, tactile experiences, use of aromas and music in many combinations and variations. The result is a special room in which the participant can completely relax or interact with all elements of the space. It provides individuals with control, for possibly the first time in their lives, and enables people with any degree of disability to change and influence their environment in a positive way. It also stimulates interaction, including an ability to engage in the process of counseling and talk therapies.

Multi-sensory rooms are environments in which activities and experiences are used to increase awareness and positive behaviors for people who may experience sensory impairment, psychological and/or behavior problems. These concepts and interventions have not historically been applied to persons diagnosed with mental illness or substance abuse. However, there is growing interest in the application of multi-sensory treatment for persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, depression, anxiety, autism, pervasive developmental disorders and victims of trauma.

The Sensory Integration Environmental Treatment Unit at Central Nassau is another innovative approach by the organization toward improving the quality of care, education and treatment for the many people it serves. For more information on this unique treatment approach or to take an interactive tour of the multi-sensory room call 822-6111.