Image: Child in pool Image: Daughter and mother looking at each other

Programs & Services

Participation & Inclusion: Snoezelen

Snoezelen at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Canada’s first Snoezelen room opened in 1992 at one of Holland Bloorview’s legacy organizations – the Bloorview Children’s Hospital. Recognizing the benefits that Snoezelen could have for many people, a community–based Snoezelen room was established in 1995. Holland Bloorview also has an inpatient Snoezelen room as well as a portable Snoezelen cart for Complex Continuing Care inpatients. North America’s first Snoezelen pool opened in October 2002 at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. A Snoezelen pool creates a gently stimulating environment by combining lights, sounds and textures with the medicinal effects of a warm therapy pool.

Holland Bloorview’s community Snoezelen room and pool is open to Holland Bloorview clients, community agencies, schools and support organizations for children and adults with disabilities.

Holland Bloorview also supports Snoezelen education and outreach locally and beyond. We are now on the board of the International Snoezelen Association. The International Snoezelen Association (ISNA) is headquartered in Denmark. It fosters the use of Multi Sensory Environments by supporting practice and research around the use of Multi- Sensory Environments in education, recreation and therapy.

What is Snoezelen?

The word Snoezelen is taken from two Dutch words: snufflen meaning to seek out or to explore, and doezelen meaning to relax or to be in a wonderful place. Snoezelen originated in the Netherlands nearly 35 years ago as a leisure experience for adults with severe disabilities

Snoezelen rooms are artificially engineered spaces that use music, lighting, gentle vibrations, tactile sensations and aromatherapy. Users can relax and choose activities at their own pace.

The room can be relaxing or stimulating depending on one’s sensory needs. It can encourage social skills and heighten sensory awareness.

Who can use Snoezelen?

The Snoezelen concept is based on the idea that everyone has the right to quality leisure.

While everyone can enjoy Snoezelen, it has been shown to be particularly useful for individuals with multiple disabilities and behavioural difficulties.

Snoezelen rooms can be found in a variety of facilities including schools, nursing homes, psychiatric facilities and hospitals.

Community Snoezelen Room

Hours:

Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Closed on holiday weekends

An overhead track system (Hoyer lift) is available in the Snoezelen room. Clients must bring their own sling.

Cost:

A $5 fee per client is applied per visit. All caregivers must have Snoezelen room training/orientation before accessing the room independently.

Training schedule:

Thursdays: September 15, October 13, November 17, December 15, 2011 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

There is a $25 fee for training and orientation to the room. Registration for training required. Please contact Lorraine Thomas.

Tel: Dial 1-800-855-0511. At operator prompt, give 416-422-7049
Fax: 416-422-7037
E-mail: lthomas (at) hollandbloorview (dot) ca *(see Note below)

Community Snoezelen Pool

WINTER 2012 SNOEZELEN POOL REGISTRATION – Click here to register

No-drop-ins please. Pre-registration required.

COST: $12.00 per client per session

Times
SATURDAY (children's session) start Jan 7, end Mar 10: 11:00-11:45 a.m.; 11:45-12:30 p.m.; 12:30-1:15 p.m.; 1:15-2:00 p.m.
SUNDAY (children's session) start Jan 8, end Mar 11: 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.; 4:45 - 5:30 p.m.
MONDAY start Jan 9,end Mar 12: 10:15-11:00 a.m.; 11:00 a.m.-11:45 ; 11:45-12:30 p.m.
TUESDAY start Jan 10, end Mar 13 : 10:15-11:00 a.m.; 11:00 a.m.-11:45 ; 11:45-12:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY start Jan 11, end Mar 14: 10:15-11:00 a.m.; 11:00 a.m.-11:45 ; 11:45-12:30 p.m.

There will be no swim on: Saturday Feb 18, Sunday Feb 19, Monday Feb 20 (Family Day weekend)

Access to the Snoezelen pool requires one-on-one support in the pool. A second attendant is permitted if needed. Family change room facilities are available for those bringing a client or child of the opposite sex over the age of seven. An overhead track system (Hoyer lift) is available on the Snoezelen pool deck and in the family change room. Clients must bring their own sling.

Siblings are also welcome to participate, but priority will be given to clients with a disability. Siblings are required to have one-on-one support in the pool and there is a cost of $10.00 per sibling per session

Rules for Snoezelen Pool Access

Swimmers with bladder/bowel control issues must wear swim diapers or plastic pants that have snug leg gathers under their bathing suit.
Please contact the Snoezelen Coordinator or Pool office at 416-425-6220, extension 3713 or 6259 for information on purchasing appropriate swimwear. We also sell them in the pool office. Standard pool policy applies including taking a shower before entering the pool.

We have a scent-free policy at Holland Bloorview due to clients and staff with chemical sensitivities. Please refrain from wearing perfume in the pool and change room environment. Anyone with hair longer than shoulder length is required to tie it up or wear a swim cap so that it is held above the shoulders.

Contacts

Intake and pre-registration required for the Community Snoezelen room and pool:
Lorraine Thomas,
Snoezelen Coordinator & Family Support Specialist
Tel: Dial 1-800-855-0511. At operator prompt, give 416-422-7049
Fax: 416-422-7037
E-mail: lthomas (at) hollandbloorview (dot) ca *(see Note below)
Inpatient Snoezelen Room and Snoezelen Cart:
Breanne Mathers,
Certified Child Life Specialist and Inpatient Snoezelen Coordinator
Tel: 416-425-6220 extension 6356
E-mail: bmathers (at) hollandbloorview (dot) ca *(see Note below)

*Note: Copy the above e-mail address into the To field of your e-mail message and reconstruct the e-mail address by removing the spaces and replacing the “at” and “dot” with the proper symbols (@ and .) respectively.

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