Sensory Rooms

What is a Sensory Room?

A Sensory Room is a place where children and adults can explore and develop their senses and skills. The multi-sensory room can have many different features.  Some of the many things often found in a sensory room include; fountains, fish tanks, soft music, many different kids of fun lights, soft scents, swings, bean bag chairs, along with much more.

What are the benefits of a Sensory Room?

A Multisensory room can engage children who can learn through play. From following bright lights, shapes and patterns with their eyes to pressing buttons to make the sensory room change color or even change color to music. Users will become interested in their environment. Also due to the flexible functionality of the multisensory room it can also be used to calm and de-stress.

Who can benefits from sensory rooms?

There are many different populations that can benefit from sensory rooms. The typical groups associated with sensory rooms include individuals who have PTSD, Stroke/TBI, Alzheimer's/dementia, Autism, along with cognitive or physical disabilities.

Ai Chi

The purpose of Ai Chi is relaxation.

 

What is Ai Chi?

Ai Chi is a water movement and relaxation program that has been created to help aquatic practitioners and clients enjoy the water in a flowing yet powerful progression.  It is an efficient exercise program that increases oxygen and caloric consumption simply with correct form and positioning in the water, it is a perfect relaxation technique for highly stressed, over-challenged clients, and it is ideal for creating improved range of motion, balance and mobility.

Ai Chi is performed standing in shoulder depth water using a combination of deep breathing and slow, broad movements of the arms, legs, and torso.

Participants are introduced to basic concepts of “Eastern Thought” such as circular movement, breath control, tranquility and moving with nature as they experience the upper extremity trunk stability and lower extremity movements and learn proper pelvic mechanics.

Appropriate Patient Populations

Ai Chi has been successfully used with pain management, scoliosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, CVA, fatigue, eating behaviors, weight control, breast cancer patients, balance deficits, type II diabetes, back pain, cardiac and pulmonary rehab, COPD, cancer therapy, arthritis, fibromyalgia, congestive heart failure, fall prevention, prenatal, menopause therapy, immunodeficiency disorders, orthopedic problems, mastectomy, RSD, MS, migraine headaches, anxiety and depressive disorders, and anger management.

Long Group Activities

During class three groups presented their long activities. Our group did rhythm/music and the other two groups did arts/crafts and challenge-based activities. I really enjoyed the arts and crafts portion of the nights. For the activity we created altered books. We took old books and used different arts and crafts techniques to create our own unique book. There were many different stations set up that had innovative ways to decorate our books. There was a bubble blowing station with paint, a pop out window art station, and many more. Each station was very innovative and creative! I found that the class really got into this activity and the time really flew when we were making our books.

This is a fun activity that could be used with many different populations. It would be great to do this activity for kids, young women with eating disorders, youth-at-risk, geriatrics, along with many more. This is such a great activity to do because a lot people would enjoy doing this and it can easily be adapted to different populations. When working with children it would be beneficial to keep the arts/crafts at a simple level. Choosing options that don't involve a hot glue gun or x-acto knife would create a much safer environment. By doing this activity I learned all about how to create an altered book along with what populations it would be most beneficial for.

Making Musical Instruments.......

There are many benefits that music therapy can offer individuals. Music therapy can relieve stress and anxiety, ease depression, enhance self-expression, help patients cope with a disease/illness, provide sensory stimulation along with much more. Making musical instruments is one way to provide music therapy to clients or patients. Some easy to make instruments include; a homemade tambourine, xylophone, drum, chimes, horn, guitar, and hand bell.

To construct a Xylophone follow the directions below;

XYLOPHONE

• tall glasses or jars
• water
• mixing spoon

Fill the glasses or jars with different amounts of water. The more water in the glass, the lower the pitch will be. Having less water in the glass or jar will raise the pitch.
To play, gently strike the glasses with a mixing spoon.

For more information on how to construct the other instruments go to  http://www.kinderart.com/teachers/9instruments.shtml

There is a wide variety of instrument that can easily be constructed. Many of the instruments use household items or items that are fairly cheap to buy. Even though making musical instruments is typically geared toward children many different population can benefit from this activity.

Snowkiting........

Snowkiting is an outdoor winter sport where people use kites to glide over snow or ice. Not many people are familiar with this snowkiting but it has been around since the 1980's. Since then people have continued to improve the equipment and techniques which has created a more desirable sport. Many daring people use snowkites to fly off mountains, do freestyle tricks, and even jump off high cliffs. Snowkiting is a dangerous sport and should be practiced with a lot of caution.Today the sport has become increasingly popular in many different countries.

RELAX!!!!

During class we discussed different relaxation techniques and ways to reduce stress. I was introduced to laughter yoga for the first time. This type of yoga incorporates laughter while doing various exercises. The idea behind laughter yoga is that anybody can laugh for no reason at all and gain the positive benefits associated with laughter. Laughter Yoga has been used to help people cope with different disabilities they may have and generate a more positive attitude.

Here is a short clip to give you a better idea what Laughter Yoga is all about........

Meditation was another topic we covered during class. We discussed possible ways to incorporate meditation with different populations. An important point was brought up that highlighted the idea that meditation may not be for everyone. Some people are unwilling to try meditation because they believe it is against their religion. Although there are spiritual meditation techniques there is a wide variety of options available that do not relate to religion. It is also important to consider that proper meditation takes a lot of time and practice.

Guided Imagery was the next topic of discussion. This is a technique that guides a persons imagination. This is sometimes called "visualization" or even "mental imagery". This can be done as a leader describes an event/scenario with great detail allowing the participants to imagine what is being described.

Guided Imagery can also be done by watching a video clip as well. Here is an example to see what it is all about.

Virtual School....

During class we were presented with the idea of a virtual school. A speaker came and discussed the process of enrollment to the benefits of a virtual school along with much more. He focused a lot on how different a virtual school can be from a traditional public school. The cost of a virtual school is lower, the students are still allowed to participate in sports within the surrounding schools, the academic material is set to meet each individuals educational level, and he argued that students from a virtual school often have more time for recreation because they are able to complete their lesson plans on their own schedule.

Even though a virtual school may not be for everyone it is very beneficial for individuals who have a difficult time attending a public school due to behavior, health, or emotional problems they may experience. The most unique aspect of the school is how they develop an individualized Education Plan (IEP). This plan is developed by the staff after the students go through a series of assessment test. By doing this the student is able to learn  at the the level they need. The assessments are important in providing an overview of a students weaknesses and strengths in order to give the student proper lesson plans.

Another great point that he mentioned was that no matter what age the student is they are put into a program based on their educational needs. For example, if someone tests a few grades below their reading level it isn't as big of a deal in the virtual school as it would be seen in a public school. The virtual school takes away the added pressure of the peer relationship.

Therapeutic recreation isn't something that is commonly incorporated within the school system. Even though there are several positive benefits many students and faculty are unaware how effective a TR program can be.

Therapeutic Puppetry.....

Tonight in class we learned all about therapeutic puppetry. We began class with an instructional video on proper puppetry skills with the Kids on the Block puppets. These puppets are designed to teach kids about disabilities, medical conditions and social issues. I learned that being a puppet master isn't as easy as someone would think. It actually takes a log of practice and skills to learn all of the techniques.

After the video we did a class discussion and learned how different types of puppets can be incorporated with many different populations. One great example is how puppets can be a very effective tool used by a child life specialist. A child life specialist can use puppets as a part of medical play and allow children to interact, ask questions, and "preform procedures" on the puppets. It was also interesting to consider that puppets can be used when working with individuals who have experienced sexual and physical abuse. The puppets may allow the individuals to open up and discuss things that they wouldn't feel comfortable talking about directly to someone else. Puppets can be a great tool to use when working with a variety of populations. Although many clients may benefit from the use of puppets, they aren't for everyone. Some clients may not like interacting with puppets and many therapeutic recreation specialist may not feel comfortable using them.

B.A.S.E. Jumping

B.A.S.E. jumping is an extreme sport that involves jumping from fixed objects with a parachute. It is often compared to skydiving but it is considered to be much more dangerous. The acronym B.A.S.E. stands for the four different object that people often jump from, Buildings, Antennas, Span (bridges) and Earth.

Before BASE jumping became popular the jumpers used skydiving equipment. This included the main and reserve parachutes along with all of the deployment equipment. Today jumpers use more specialized equipment.

Although BASE jumping is not illegal many people are often fined for the activity. Many of the objects people jump from include buildings and antenna towers which are privately owned. A majority of the owners are reluctant to allow base jumping from their property so this sport is often done illegally. Jumpers who are caught can be charged with trespassing, breaking and entering, reckless endangerment, along with vandalism. If anyone is daring enough to try this dangerous sport it would be wise to get the proper authorization first.

Sandboarding......

Sandboarding is very similar to snowboarding, just take out the snow and add sand. It involves riding across or down a sand dune while standing with both feet strapped to a board. Some riders chose not to use a board with bindings but this is considered to be more dangerous. Once the rider has reached the bottom the ride to the top isn't always an easy task. Unlike snowboarding it is difficult to construct a ski lift to carry the riders back up. The riders either walk back up the sand dune after each run or ride a dune buggy or 4 wheel drive vehicle back to the top.

Equipment

A sandboards shape resembles a snowboard except a sandboards base is much harder than a snowboard. The boards are often made from wood, plastic, or fiber glass. To make it easier to ride the sand the bottoms of the boards are often waxed.

Fishing Float Tube

This is a great way to mix up the typical fishing trip. This tube allows individuals to fish while floating in the water. The bottom of the "seat" part clips in nicely. The bottom has a belt that clips in between the legs and then another around the waist. The seat is upright so it doesn't cause back pain. There is also a metal bar that goes along the front of it which allows individuals to feel secure. There are various loops where where paddles or various fishing items can be attached.

Zorbing.......

This is a form of recreation that involves rolling down a hill in an orb. I bet you are wondering what and orb is. Well it is two balls made of transparent plastic. A smaller ball is placed inside a larger one with a gap of air in between the two. The layer of air acts as a shock absorber. Inside the ball there is usually a harness attached to allow the rider to stay securely fastened down when rolling down the hill.

However, not all orbs roll down hills. Many times people are not in an area with hills so they have to be innovative. When there isn't a hill around riders often construct inflatable, wooden, or metal ramps.

Lived Experiences.........

Today in class we watched two videos that covered stories of several individuals who have some sort of disability. The individuals had a range of different disabilities but they all found a way to include a recreational sport into their life. Many of the individuals were diagnosed with their disability later on in life and had to adjust to the new life changes. I thought it was interesting to learn and hear how many of them were able to cope with their disability through therapeutic recreation. One lady described the result of becoming involved in sports while in her wheelchair as the time, "when the world opened" This shows that recreation can play such a huge role in a persons life. It was also inspiring that many of the individuals became more active after they were diagnosed with their disability. It's great to see them making the most of their life and not letting anything get in the way of their dreams.

Adaptive Skydiving......

Many people are familiar with skydiving. However, not a lot of people are brave enough to jump from a helicopter/airplane while flying 3,000-13,000 ft in the air. Thousands of people a year do take the extreme jump, including quadriplegics and paraplegics. It is becoming increasingly more common to see someone who has a disability participate in skydiving.

In order to participate in the jump there are only a few adaptations that need to be addressed. After the proper safety classes are given the guide and passenger then put on the proper safety gear. An additional step to ensure safety for a quadriplegic or a paraplegic is to duct tape their knees and ankles to the guides. This will prevent their legs from flying up and hitting the guide while on the descent. Once all geared up and ready to go it is time to board the helicopter/airplane. This step also requires some additional planning. In most cases the passenger will be unable to climb into the airplane/helicopter by themselves. No worries there though.....With a few people to help lift the passenger up and into the plane they are ready to start their journey. Once at the altitude they are going to jump the guide and passenger make their way to the edge of the plane and take the leap!

It is so great to see that adaptations are being made to allow people who have disabilities to skydive. It is such a rush and there is no other experience comparable to it. This is another activity I would highly suggest trying!

Canyoning!!!!!

Even though canyoning is new to the United States Europeans have been doing it for centuries! This extreme sport refers to maneuvering your way down a canyon. On the journey you are required to hike, cross boulders, go through streams, get carried down by the rushing water, jump off cliffs, and sometimes even rappel through waterfalls.

I went canyoning a few years ago in in Austria and it was a blast!!! We began our journey climbing a ton of stairs to reach the top of the canyon. Even though we were wearing wetsuits I remember the water was freezing! Once we began our journey down the canyon we soon forgot about how cold the water was because we were have so much fun. We climbed and jumped over rocks, jumped from a few low waterfalls, jumped from a 40ft waterfall at the end, along with much more. There was a part in the adventure when we had to lay down on our back and "ride the water" going along with the rocks. This part was a little uneasy for most people because our heads were submerged for a brief amount of time. It was a great experience and I would recommend everyone to give it a try!!!

Some equipment that may be used while canyoning includes a harness, helmet, flotation device, wet suite, ropes, and ascenders, descenders (clips for the ropes) To go canyoning it is often done with a guide who is experienced in the sport and familiar with the terrain. It is important to remain safe at all times and to listen to all of the instructions the guide gives.

Group Presentations

Our last class was filled with new information about horseback riding, painting/sculpting, boating/kayaking, and high elements ropes courses. There were four groups that each presented one of the above activities. My group had the high elements ropes course. We presented information on different adaptive equipment and techniques that make is possible for people who have a physical, cognitive, or visual disability to participate in the high elements ropes courses. There are many benefits associated with participating in the rope courses. While researching about the activity I thought it was interesting to learn about some of the different ways to remix the typical activities on the ropes course. One activity involves someone who does not have a disability "pretending" as if they do. By this I mean that someone who doesn't have a visual disability might put on a blindfold and then attempt to do the course. This gives them an idea of what a person with a visual disability may experience. There are many ways to mix things up and gain a new perspective of what someone with a disability may experience.

When learning about horseback riding I was surprised to see that there is sooo much adaptive equipment available. It was great to see that there are a variety of organizations that support therapeutic riding, locally and world wide. I am not familiar with horses at all so I learned a lot from this presentation. For example, hippotherapy was something that I had never heard of before.

Hippotherapy can be defined as; physical therapy in which a patient (as one affected with cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis) sits or lies on the back of a horse for the therapeutic effect of the horse's movement

I also learned a lot from the group that presented painting and sculpting. I was familiar with some of the adaptive equipment that was available but there was also a lot that I had never seen before. For example, there are several types of  adaptive scissors available. Adaptive scissors can have larger holes for the fingers, more than two holes, and there is also a device where you can put the paper near a blade and cut the paper by pressing a lever.

Learning about boating and kayaking also opened my eyes to new technology that makes it possible for anyone, regardless of their disability, to enjoy a day on the water. When the presentation began we were all instructed to turn our tables and sit like we were in a kayak. At the end of the presentation we were given a mini lesson on the four basic kayaking strokes. I have been kayaking before but I just figured it our on my own. It was great to get some actual instructions on the proper way to turn, stop, go forward and backwards. This is new information I know I will definitely use in the future.

February 22, 2011

Class began with an activity called clay, artist, model. The group who instructed this activity had the class split into groups of three. Everyone played a part as either "clay" an "artist" or a "model". The model of the group pics a pose to do that the artist will have to mold. Once the model has their pose the artist, who is blindfolded or has their eyes closed, then feels the model to learn the pose. After they are confident that they know what the pose is they try to mold the person who is the clay into that same position. Once the person who is the clay was molded into the same position as the model a new round started. Everyone played the role as the clay, artist, and model. I think this game was a little uncomfortable for many people to play. A lot of people don't know each other well enough to feel comfortable touching them with their eyes closed or having someone touch them. In the end I think everyone had fun because a lot of people were laughing while playing the game.

After the short activity we got into our groups and came up with an innovative game that had similar objectives as "Red light, Green light". Many of the groups shared games that they had previously played. Our group shared the game, "Captain's coming" To play this game everyone is spread out with enough room to run/move around. There is one person who calls out commands that the participants have to listen to and follow along with. For example; if the command captains coming was said than everyone would have to stand up and salute. There are many more commands that go along with the game. To find out more about it check out the link below...

 http://www.anzagl.org/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=108

Our next activity involved creating an activity for a specific population we may work with in TR. The activity was based on the idea of the show Project Runway. Our group had alcoholism and the activity we chose was designing jewelry. We had to choose three unique materials to make the jewelry with. Our materials included, keys, silverware, and wire. Some things we thought were important when choosing materials for this populations was to stay away from anything that would resemble bottles, alcohol logos, beer caps, or anything that could be associated with alcohol. An alcohol related thing can be enough to trigger someones past alcoholic behavior, so this is a very important thing to consider.

Short Group Activities.......

Last week in class we did a series of different innovative activities. The first activity that kicked off the night was innovative painting. We used various everyday things to paint with. The different materials ranged from wooden balls, feathers, cotton balls, leaves along with much more. This was a great activity that allowed everyone to express their individual self and is something that can easily be done with almost any population.

The second activity was "making magical music". Everyone was put into their groups and given a few minutes to create a beat/song with common household things. The benefits to this activity is that it is cheap, allows for a lot of creativity and expression and also allows people to work together. This was a great activity because it got everyone out of their comfort zone. I think everyone was a little shy to get in front of the class and show their musical talent but in the end everyone was laughing and having fun with it.

The third activity was done by my group. Everyone was split into their groups and each given a marker and piece of paper. We then played a 6 songs, each from a different genre. As the song played the students were instructed to close their eyes and draw on the paper how the music made them feel. As the song changed the papers got passes to another person. The goal of this activity was to have them mask their emotions with the music and show it on the paper. In the end it was interesting to see the patterns that correspond with each song.

The last group of the night did a few different activities. We started with an icebreaker which involved everyone sitting in a circle and throwing one of their shoes into the middle. We then had to pick out a random shoe, find the person it belonged to, find out something about them, and share what we learned about them to the class. It was a great icebreaker that allowed us to learn a little more about each other.

Chair Yoga was the next activity we did. I was very impressed by this activity because it is something so commonly known but it isn't something many people think of doing sitting down. Going through some of the exercises made me realize that this is very simple to teach and it is very effective.

Well the saying goes, "Save the best for last" The last event was an egg drop. We were placed into our groups and given straws, tape, newspaper and an egg. The goal of this activity was to create a strong environment for our egg to sit in so it could withstand being dropped from a second story balcony. Many of the eggs survived the fall, our groups did not :(

WiNgS.......

This week in class we met in the computer lab where we were given great instructions on how to successfully search for material to use for our upcoming paper. I wasn't expecting to learn much on account I received a class on successful searching in a prior class. Well it looks like I was wrong because I ended up learning some new things. I thought it was useful to learn that there is an option to copy the URL page where a certain article is found so you can easily find it later. It was also helpful to learn that you can put all of the articles you want to use in a convenient folder to access later. In the end I learned a lot of information that will make searching a much simpler process.

ABOUT ME......

Hello, I am a Junior at UW-L and my major is Therapeutic Recreation. I should let you know that I love to be active and travel. I was lucky enough to be stationed in Germany when I was in the active Army. After graduation I would really like to work with wounded warriors.