SERENITY project (Snoezelen approach to well-being and school life for teenage learners with special educational needs)

Our research in clinical psychology of development and learning with children suffering from profound intellectual deficiencies associated with autistic disorders has led us to formalize a psychotherapeutic approach using sensory and bodily mediation, and to evaluate its benefits from a developmental, cognitive, clinical and experimental point of view. Sessions are based on the principles of the Snoezelen approach (a contraction of the Dutch verbs snuffelen – to search and explore – and doezelen – to relax). This population of teenagers has suffered exclusion both in their family environment and in the traditional school environment. The aim is to create a reassuring and secure environment, in which the individual can enjoy adapted sensory situations. Sessions aim to develop better instrumentation of sensory-motor systems, emotion regulation, intersubjective skills and intentionality, during adjusted inter-individual interactions.

Project Manager: Hervé Segond (LPC/FRLC)