Characterization of multisensory environments: why do teachers use them?

Abstract

Background: Special educators are increasingly using multisensory environments even though there is a lack of evidence for their effectiveness as an educational intervention. This paper explores the way multisensory rooms are presented on the World Wide Web in an attempt to understand why they are being used by teachers. Methods: Searches of the World Wide Web were carried out to locate 48 relevant sites. The contents of the sites were analyzed in terms of aims or purposes, purported benefits and outcomes, use of research, confidence of claims, emphasis on student behaviour and building interpersonal relationships. Results: The aims included sensory stimulation and relaxation. A wide range of purported outcomes were identified that were confidently claimed with little reference to the existing research base. Many sites did claim benefits for student behaviour and building up of relationships. Conclusions: There is an uncritical presentation of the purported benefits of multisensory environments with a belief that sensory stimulation is, in itself, a good thing. It seems that a teacher's desire to build positive relationships and provide pleasant experiences may be an important factor in the use of these environments.