Abstract

We learn about the world constantly through our senses and by interacting with it. Children explore and play in different environments and in doing so they find out what burns them or hurts them, what can be eaten, which things smell nice and what different sounds signify. This process of exploration and learning continues throughout our lives.

Because of physical, sensory or intellectual disabilities many people have not had the same opportunities to explore and interact with their environment. Sensory-focused activities are designed to provide environments in which people with disabilities can have the opportunity to use their senses to learn about and interact more meaningfully with the world.

This photocopiable resource provides the reader with a step-by-step approach to organising sensory-focused activities for carers and other professionals working with people with physical, multiple or complex disabilities. Importantly, it also presents information on sensory stimulation within a framework that embraces the person's daily environment. Activity ideas are based around food, drink, personal and household care and crafts and are kept simple so they can be slotted into daily routine with minimum disruption.

Assessment forms and checklists will help carers and support staff to monitor and understand their clients' needs and progress.

`This is a paperbound reprint of a 1997 book. Writing for professionals and caregivers, occupational therapist Fowler gives a number of activities designed so those with cognitive and physical disabilities can make closer contact with their environment. Fowler locates these activities within the client's everyday situation, focusing on food, drink, household care and crafts, and taking care to cause a minimum of disruption of routine or expectations. She begins with theories about the meaning of sensory stimulation and the theoretical framework for sensory-focused activities, ways to maximise the activities, and methods of evaluation. She then gives dozens of ideas for activities, all of them simple enough to be enjoyable while challenging the client. Many can be adapted to group work, such as making cosmetic creams and soap balls or creating soapy paint pictures, while others may be suitable for the client eventually to do alone or with very little supervision.'
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`A photocopiable resource which provides materials for encouraging people with profound multiple disabilities to learn about the world around them by interacting with it through the senses. Activity ideas are simple and designed to fit into daily routines.'
British Institute of Learning Disabilities, Current Awareness Service, November 2006
`The book definitely aims to be as user friendly as possible and one of its strengths is the wealth of photocopiable recording forms and assessments in the appendices. A colleague who is taking up a new post with young adults with profound and multiple learning difficulties was most enamoured of pages with titles such as 'Engagement background questionnaire', 'Sensory Assesment', a (very detailed) 'Self-engagement behaviours record', 'Interest charts' and 'Multi-sensory room recording forms.''
BATOD Magazine

` This practical book written by an occupational therapist takes a `no-nonsense' approach to sensory stimulation for people with a wide range of disabilities.

Some of the activities are different from traditional English ones, and sound fun.

This is a book which clinicians could quickly and easily scan through, gaining lots of inspiration and ideas. Used as a reference and a `cookbook', it could enhance delivery of sensory-focused activities for people with dementia, as well as those with physical and multiple disabilities, providing support staff with clear recipes and inspiration.'

The Journal of Dementia Care

Susan Fowler has 14 years' experience as an occupational therapist with a particular interest in providing services for people with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Scope (Vic.) Ltd is a non-profit organisation providing disability services throughout Melbourne and Victoria, Australia, to thousands of children and adults with physical and multiple disabilities. It has also co-published two other resources with JKP: Enhancing Self-Esteem: A Self-Esteem Training Package for Individuals with Disabilities and Anger Management: An Anger Management Training Package for Individuals with Disabilities.

This book will be a useful resource to all practitioners who are involved in using sensory focused activities in their practice with individuals who have development disabilities.
International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation