Capstone Prospectus

Sensory sensitivities play a role in many people’s lives, whether they have a diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism, or completely unaware that their senses affect them in certain situations. My art applications and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) studies are oriented toward the balance of sensory stimulation, in order to achieve a calm for the viewer and participants while in the environment. The senses play a large part toward the viewers’ reaction to the work and ambiance. The senses can be affected and stressed in a variety of situations, sensory therapeutic techniques and environments for those with sensory sensitivities can be applied to stimulate and calm the senses.

As I progressed in my research and art practice investigations, my work has transpired in the development of Multi-Sensory Environments (MSE) for those with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) or sensory sensitivities. Multi-Sensory Environments can aid in providing a means to stimulate the senses and calm one’s reaction to mental and environmental stresses. Throughout this process, the exploration of designers and artists, and methods used and recommended by occupational therapists, and ABA research have influenced how I think and create. With those influences, I strive to create an environment that is, “effective in helping people achieve that "just right" state of being calm and alert” (UC San Francisco). This paper serves as a foundation to support a proposed business plan to create a space that houses Multi-Sensory Environments for individuals with sensory processing needs while providing a description of the industry, space/product design, and the target market for the Multi-Sensory Environments.

Through my process of understanding what SPD was, I found that the majority of my research was targeted toward children diagnosed with it and how Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT) helped combat its symptoms for the child to live a more neurotypical lifestyle. A large part of SIT diet (not a food diet but rather a sensory simulative diet that satisfies the brain) includes deep compression therapy that activates the senses and releases calm inducing serotonin to the brain. According to Lucy Miller and Doris Fuller (2006), authors of Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)this causes the brain to “rewire”, relax, and focus. I began to question about adults diagnosed with SPD and therapeutic methods for adults with SPD. In an interview with, Occupational therapist, Karyl VanMuers-Juergens (2016), she explained that though few adults have been diagnosed with SPD thus far, those who have it have already been diagnosed with one or several of the following: ADD, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and/or depression, among other diagnoses that have been associated with SPD if not therapeutically treated (VanMuers-Juergens, 2016). According to an article published in Geriatric Nursing by Bauer, Rayner, Tang, Koch, While, & Okeefe (2015), MSE can also effectively reduce behavioral sympoms in dementia patients.

According to Behavior Analysis for Lasting Change, Mayer, Sulzer-Azaroff, & Wallace (2019), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) helps individuals improve social interactions, learn new skills, and maintain positive behaviors that will aid in personal and professional success. This process is not only data driven but requires a creative thinker to analyze the behavior and create a plan to change behaviors that would functionally benefit and improve one’s daily life and routine. There are four main functions of behavior: automatic/sensory input, to escape a task/demand, to gain access to a tangible item, and to gain an access to attention. First, a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA) needs to determine the function of behavior through a functional behavioral assessment before he/she can develop a behavior plan. A functional behavioral assessment uses a variety of direct and indirect methods of observation and interviews to determine why an individual engages in certain behaviors. Mayer & Wallace (2019), defines function of behavior as, “the lawful manner in which the rate, form, or other pattern with which the behavior is repeated relates to how the consequences of that behavior have influenced previously” (p.180). In laymen’s terms, the action directly after a behavior will influence if the behavior will be repeated to invoke the same action. For example, a toddler having a tantrum in the checkout line at a store. The parent gives the child what they want to stop the tantrum; the child learned that by repeating that behavior in the checkout line the parent will give them what they want. This increases the chance of the toddler having a tantrum every time the parent is in the checkout line. The function of behavior in this example is to receive a tangible item.

Sensory therapy can also help ease behavioral symptoms in individuals with developmental disabilities and autism if the function of behavior is automatic/sensory based according to Comparison of Behavioral Intervention and Sensory-Integration Therapy in the Treatment of Challenging Behaviorby Devlin, Healy, Leader, & Hughes (2010). When using a Multi-Sensory Environment, it is important that the function of behavior is automatic/sensory seeking to have effective results.

Autism Spectrum Disorders: Foundations, Characteristics, and Effective Strategies,by Boutot & Myles (2017), defines Autism as:

A development disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before age 3, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences. (p.5)

There are two main areas impacted by ASD in which symptoms in both areas impact everyday functions. Deficits in the first area include: social-emotional reciprocity, maintaining and developing relationships, and nonverbal communicative behaviors. Deficits in the second area include: stereotypy (echoing speech heard), repetitive speech and motor movements (stemming), adherence to routines, excessive rigidity, resistance to change, hyper- or hypo- reactivity to sensory stimuli, and restricted interests. ASD is typically categorized into two areas: High Functioning and Low Functioning. An individual with High Functioning Autism has an IQ above 70. It was formally called Asperger’s Syndrome, however, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders now categorizes it as part of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). High functioning ASD is less than five percent of ASD diagnoses and four out of five children diagnosed are male. Low Functioning individuals have an IQ below 70 which is the cut off for intellectual disability (Boutot, p.3-4).

Biel, Lindsey, and Peske (2009), Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues, define Sensory Processing Disorder as:

How people use the information provides by all the sensations coming from within the body and from the external environment. We usually think of the senses as separate channels of information, but they actually work together to give us a reliable picture of the world and our place in it. Your senses integrate to form complete understanding of who you are, where you are, and what is happening around you. Because your brain uses information about sights, sounds, textures, smells, tastes, and movement in an organized way, you assign meaning to your sensory experiences, and you know how to respond and behave accordingly. (p.12)

SPD has three sub-categories Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD), Sensory-Based Motor Disorder, and Sensory Discrimination Disorder. SMD involves how the central nervous system organizes and responds to sensory stimuli in which a person may interpret sensory stimuli input out of proportion to the actual experience. They may engage in sensory seeking behavior or over-/under- respond to an experience. Sensory-Based Motor Disorder may include someone with dyspraxia (a person that appears accident prone, awkward, or clumsy; they struggle with sense of space and motor function). Sensory Discrimination Disorder involves one’s inability or struggle to differentiate between two sources of stimuli (Beil, 2009, p.13-14).

Through the progression of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Processing Disorder research, the environments and furniture pods of Verner Panton, Alberto Frias, and Freyja Sewell, as well as Snoezelen room design especially became of interest. Developed in the Netherlands, a Snoezelen room ((a.) pictured below)) (joined term meaning “to sleep” and “to be aware”) is a therapeutic controlled multisensory environment for those with developmental disabilities, sensory sensitivities, dementia, and brain injury. It is intended to deliver stimulation to multi-senses through the use of tactile material engagement, lighting, colors, scents, etc. (Bauer et al., 2015).

With an interior design background, it was an influence that guided my fine art research and practice. Ann Hamilton’s and Ernesto Neto’s work fueled inquiry of other installation artists. The discovery of spaces created by Yayoi Kusama, Do-ho Suh, James Turrell, and Olafur Eliasson, use the immersive effect of color, space, use of light and the way they were able to transform the space in entirety from what it was. I started by constructing my own version of a Snoezelen room ((b.) Hug Roompictured below)) that contained a compression tent, dim lighting to a calming water-like effect on the ceiling, and sheer fabric that swayed in the breeze. I was able to immerse myself and my audience in the effects and feeling these rooms can create. I wanted the work to be an immersive environment that was stimulative but calming to the viewer. That sensation can be therapeutic to those without special needs, as well as those with them. After some reflection, I decided to create a compression swing that was specifically for those with sensory sensitivities but can be therapeutic to those without as well (c. pictured below).

This paper will focus on research and discernment regarding how Multi-Sensory Environments and their design helps people with ASD, SPD, Dementia, and other psychological complexes. While investigating the effectiveness of MSE it is also important to consider design planning of the space. How is the space used and how the design of the space helps enhance the users experience? Also, when designing MSE its critical to consider the users impairments. What kind of environment is best for someone with autism and sensory processing disorder versus a dementia patient? This research will serve as a description of the industry, space/product design, and the target market for the business for the proposed business plan to create a space that houses Multi-Sensory Environments for individuals with sensory processing needs. The project will continue in development through the execution of an executive summary of the business proposed, as well as, market strategies (present and future possibilities within the market), a competitive analysis (what strategies can put it at a disadvantage and distinct advantage), a start-up operations plan, and the overall desires for client and therapist use.