What is Snoezelen? ®

The word ‘Snoezelen®’ was coined by two psychologists from Holland and is a contraction of two Dutch words, the equivalents of our English words ‘sniffing’ and ‘dozing’.

The concept of a Snoezelen® environment and its use has gradually spread throughout the world in a wide range of situations within health, education and social service settings. The basic concept was intended to provide people who have sensory and learning disabilities with appropriate relaxation and leisure facilities.

The word evokes a vague, undefinable feeling of sensory well-being and has come to be commonly used to describe any multi-sensory room.