Sacred Heart Hosts Community Open House for New Multi-Sensory Environment Room May 21

The Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center in Miramar Beach would like to invite the community to an open house on Wed., May 21, to view and experience the newly constructed SNOEZELEN® Multi-Sensory Environment (MSE) room which incorporates a specialized selection of state-of-the-art sensory equipment and materials. Parents, professionals and physicians are invited to drop in for an interactive tour from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Pediatric rehabilitation therapists will be on hand to explain the benefits of MSE environments and answer questions.

“Children with sensory challenges require a unique learning environment,” said Mary Kay Cattaneo, Director of Rehabilitation Services for Sacred Heart. The addition of this multi-sensory equipment will help us discover how a patient receives, absorbs and processes information and develop a program that meets his individual needs helping him to relax and learn.”

A multi-sensory environment is designed to offer individuals with special needs and challenging conditions, such as Autism, the opportunity to exercise choice through action. It can be used to educate, stimulate, relax, calm or energize, as a multi-sensory experience or single sensory focus, simply by adapting the lighting, atmosphere, sounds, and texture to the needs of the patient. These safe, non-threatening environments bridge cognitive, perceptual, behavioral and physical impairments, as well as other limiting conditions, to provide a sense of empowerment. It allows our young patients to enjoy a vast range of sensory experiences that enhance relaxation, learning and therapy goals.

The rehabilitation center’s new MSE therapy program is led by certified physical therapists, speech-language therapists and occupational therapists who work with pediatric patients using evidence-based therapies that work to improve speech and movement function. Our pediatric therapists provide specialized, rehabilitative therapy to children of all ages whose development is interrupted by an injury or a disability.

Heavy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served. The pediatric rehabilitation center is conveniently located in Suite 220 on the second floor of the Sacred Heart Medical Office Building at 7720 U.S. Hwy. 98 W. in Miramar Beach. For more information, please call (850) 278-3398 ext. 2