S.M.I.L.E. Program

I did my wikki project on the Local volunteer program that is run out of acadia university called "SMILE" program. SMILE stands for Sensory Motor Integrated Learning Experience.  

 The S.M.I.L.E. program is an innovative academic-based, yet volunteer-driven, program, which offers children and youth with varying disabilities a unique physical activity experience to improve their total development. This is done through enhancing vital physical skills and motor patterns. To achieve this goal, the experiences included in each child's individual educational plan vary, but may include: water orientation physical fitness activities to improve muscular strength, endurance, flexibility, and perceptual motor programs to enhance the development of body awareness, spatial awareness, temporal awareness, and sport skills.

I learned that the funding is grant based but also donations are needed. There are lots of program alum as well as university alum who donate. The smile program has been running for 30 years as of last year and they are looking to open a Snozelen Room. This room will be a controlled multisensory envrioment. The room is a therapy for people with autism or developmental disabilities. It consists of placing the person in a soothing and stimulating environment, the "Snoezelen room". These rooms are specially designed to deliver stimuli to various senses, using lighting effects, color, sounds, music, scents, etc. The combination of different materials on a wall may be explored using tactile senses, and the floor may be adjusted to stimulate the sense of balance.

I think the room will be a great addition to the program that is already a huge success with over 200 children from the Annapolis Valley touched!

Rebecca - Windsor