A space to calm down

Controlled spaces like sensory rooms are getting quite popular the world over. India gets one too

- VAISHALI DAR

IR TRAVEL CAN be overwhelming and stressful, especially for neurodiverse people. With bright lights, continuous announcements, security screenings, and crowded spaces—these factors can be particularly challenging for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), sensory processing disorder (SPD), anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other sensory or mental health conditions.

But there's always help at hand. Public spaces like stadiums and airports are equipped with sensory rooms to offer a calm, controlled space and to feel more at ease before the journey. Now, an airport in India is offering one too, with the country's first sensory room at the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, that opened this month.

Looking at the history of sensory rooms, these date back to the Netherlands in the late 1970s, developed by psychologists Ad Verheul and Jan Hulsegge. Also called the snoezelen room, the name snoezelen comes from the fusion of the Dutch words snuffelen (to sniff) and doezelen (to doze or snooze). These rooms have a multi-sensory environment tailored to the specific needs of the individual, providing therapeutic benefits and promoting overall wellbeing, especially designed for neurodivergent passengers to offer calming experiences.