title: Multi-sensory rooms: comparing effects of the Snoezelen and the Stimulus Preference environment on the behavior of adults with profound mental retardation.
abstract: The present study examined whether Snoezelen and Stimulus Preference environments have differential effects on disruptive and pro-social behaviors in adults with profound mental retardation and autism. In N=27 adults these target behaviors were recorded for a total of 20 sessions using both multi-sensory rooms. Three comparison groups were created by diagnosis and motor respective linguistic abilities. Each client was exposed to only one multi-sensory room. Results showed that Snoezelen intervention decreased disruptive behaviors only in individuals with autism, while Stimulus Preference increased pro-social behaviors only in participants with profound mental retardation with co-occurring poor motor and linguistic abilities. Furthermore, several trend analyses of the improved behaviors were conducted throughout all sessions toward short and mid term effects of the multi-sensory room applications. These findings support both the prudence of using the Snoezelen room in individuals with developmental disabilities and the importance of using a Stimulus Preference assessment in multi-sensory environments in clients with profound mental retardation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. supersghy@yahoo.it
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fava
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Strauss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D001143:Arousal; D001288:Attention; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012677:Sensation; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior