Social Pathology and Prevention 2021, 7(1):35-47 | DOI: 10.25142/spp.2021.007

Sensory Profile in the Snoezelen Intervention

María José Cid Rodriguez¹, Ramona Ribes Castells¹, Kateřina Janků²

¹ University of Lleida

² Faculty of Public Policy, Silesian University in Opava

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.

Keywords: Snoezelen, sensory profile, sensory assessment, sensations, sensory intervention

Received: August 3, 2021; Revised: August 3, 2021; Accepted: November 10, 2021; Published: January 10, 2022  Show citation