Congratulations to Lifespire Supervising Psychologist, Dr. Howard Kaplan, and Rehabilitation Coordinator, Ms. Linda Messbauer, for their presentation on Snoezelen which won the best poster prize at the 5th International NADD Conference in Boston in March 2004. The presentation was titled Snoezelen: A Pilot Study of Task Engagement and Generalization. Snoezelen is a form of multi-sensory stimulation which addresses sensory deficits. Although there have been many anecdotal accounts of how consumers have benefited from being exposed to the Snoezelen environment, rigorous research on its effectiveness has been minimal. Lifespire is addressing this lack through a series of controlled studies being undertaken at the Fresh Start Program.The presentation presented preliminary data indicating positive results with one consumer. What was particularly pleasing was that the methodology of the study was recognized to be valid. The research now continues with other subjects and the data are being analyzed and prepared for publication. Plans are in the works to present the results at the national level at both conferences and publications.
Sharing authorship with Dr. Kaplan and Ms. Messbauer on the project were Marie Clopton, an Occupational Therapist who is leading the treatment sessions, Angela Rodriguez, who was a staff person at the Fresh Start Day Habilitation program and is now a Service Coordinator with Lifespire, Dr. Margaret Kaplan, who is Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at Downstate Medical Center, and Rachel Avigdor, Sarah Goldglanz, and Shayna Weinberg who are students of Dr. Margaret Kaplan in the Occupational Therapy Department at Downstate and who assisted in collecting the data.