The use of a Multisensory Environment for Assessment of Sensory Abilities and Preferences in Children with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities:A Pilot Study

BackgroundTo offer appropriate activities within the curriculum for children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) is a challenge. An important determinant of the adequacy of an activity is whether teachers have detailed and specific knowledge about the sensory abilities and contextual preferences of these children.Materials and methodIn this pilot study, the multisensory environment (MSE) was used to gather this kind of detailed information. In total, 23 children with PIMD and three teachers participated. The teachers functionally assessed the sensory abilities and contextual preferences of the children before and after an intervention period during which the teachers carried out individual activities with the children in a MSE.Results and conclusionsThe results indicate that using the MSE helps teachers in functional assessment and it enables them to use this information in the classroom situation.