Interior designer uses environment to calm children with autism

[Guest guest]

http://www.wndu.com/healthnews/headlines/43174097.html

Interior designer uses environment to calm children with autism

Posted: 10:32 AM Apr 17, 2009

Last Updated: 10:32 AM Apr 17, 2009

Children living with autism face constant struggles in their everyday lives,

including with their surroundings.

NBC's Chief Medical Editor, Dr. Snyderman, met one mother who says it is

all about figuring out what stimulates the child, and what calms them.

Jodie Rozencwaig's son , 6, has autism. He also has trouble making sense

of his environment.

" The reason I go with the sensory integration therapy is because his body is

disorganized, " says Rozencwaig.

Sight, smell, sound, touch and taste.

These are all senses most of us use everyday to understand the world around us,

but for children with autism this is often difficult.

" I thought it was a great idea to create an environment that would really

satisfy his sensory interests, " explains Rozencwaig.

Deborah DiMare is an interior decorator, but she also designs spaces for

children with developmental and sensory challenges.

" A sensory environment is a room or a space that touches upon all of the sense.

It can either calm someone, it can excite their senses, it can inspire focus or

concentration or creativity, " says DiMare.

To make sure that children's needs are met, DiMare works with an occupational

therapist.

" We need them to feel like they're in harmony. And the way that we do that is

instead of them doing it from the inside out, we create an outside space so that

it happens from the outside in, " explains Amar, an occupational therapist.

is a child who needs stimulation in some area, and grounding in others.

To meet his sensory needs, his bedroom was re-designed.

The walls were changed from a bright blue to a more calming tone, and less

structured toys were brought in to promote imagination.

likes rocking, so a rocking chair was added.

is considered " low tone, " which means his muscles are very loose and

floppy, so his new mattress is firm and low.

" His bedding, I changed out all of his bedding because I felt the bedding wasn't

heavy enough, " says DiMare. " He needed that pressure on his body to calm him and

to anchor him. "

Different textures were also added to expand 's comfort zone.

" It's not about creating a space that's just pretty, it's about designing the

space around the child, and giving them a great environment to thrive in, "

continues DiMare.

His mother, Jodie, agrees. " You want to see inside and see how he's feeling, and

how hard it is for him not to communicate. We really just want to provide him

with the best resources we can and help him reach his potential and be a happy

and healthy kid. "