The Sensory Room at Solstice West RTC: What It Is, How It Works, and What We’re Learning
In 2025, we launched a sensory room at Solstice West RTC to support students who live with trauma histories and those with Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The room was designed in collaboration with Ellie Pugmire, a PhD candidate in Occupational Therapy at Widener University, and included a structured five‑week staff training to ensure the space is used effectively and ethically.
Quick answer: What is a sensory room?
A sensory room offers controlled sensory input—lighting, textiles, gentle movement, sound—to help the nervous system settle or organize. In our program, teens learn when and how to use sensory tools, practice skills for down‑regulation, and then return to therapy, classes, or daily routines with more readiness to learn and connect.
Why a sensory room for teens in treatment?
Trauma, ASD Level 1, and the nervous system
Trauma and sensory‑processing differences can show up as “too much” (hyperarousal: fight/flight) or “too little” (hypoarousal: shutdown). Sensory modulation strategies aim to bring arousal back into a workable range so teens can participate in therapy, schoolwork, and relationships—consistent with trauma‑informed care. Emerging evidence from inpatient settings suggests that sensory‑modulation approaches can aid de‑escalation and complement efforts to reduce restrictive practices.
What’s in our sensory room (and how we teach skills)
Tools and features
The space includes adjustable, dim lighting, weighted items, and bilateral/rhythmic activities, along with structured protocols for timing, consent, and goal alignment. We use it briefly and purposefully (not as a reward or escape), document goals for each session, and integrate the skills into therapy and school transitions.
5‑week staff training and ethical use
Ellie developed a five‑week training that covers sensory processing basics, practice in the room, and when not to use a tool. The aim is consistent, ethical use across staff so the room remains therapeutic—not recreational—and students generalize skills to everyday contexts.
“Trauma is often stored in the body, and addressing sensory needs can help students process their experiences more effectively,” notes Jane Peterson, Executive Director. Even students without a formal sensory diagnosis may benefit from targeted sensory interventions when these are used thoughtfully within a broader treatment plan.
What does the research say?
Sensory rooms and sensory modulation in mental‑health settings
In acute psychiatric settings, studies and reviews describe sensory rooms (sometimes called “calm rooms”) as a trauma‑informed option that can support de‑escalation and patient autonomy. Recent mixed‑methods and review papers suggest promise for reducing distress and complementing efforts to reduce seclusion/restraint, while also noting implementation and measurement challenges. In short: useful tools, still developing evidence.
Sensory integration for autism: where evidence is mixed
For autistic children, the large SenITA randomized controlled trial found no main effects of manualized Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) on primary outcomes versus usual care at 6 months, though carers reported improved goal attainment during the intervention; subgroup signals require replication. Recent professional statements emphasize fidelity and matching interventions to individual goals.
Translation: sensory‑based supports may help some youth meet specific participation goals, but it is not a universal “fix,” and expectations should be individualized.
Weighted blankets: small benefits, safety first
A 2024 systematic review of RCTs found small positive effects of weighted blankets on anxiety, with mixed findings for insomnia; no serious adverse events were reported, but studies were small and heterogeneous. A 2024 narrative review likewise suggests potential sleep benefits while calling for larger trials.
Safety note: weighted items should be used with guidance, and only by individuals who can independently remove them.
How we measure outcomes (data‑informed care)
From day one, we built documentation into the workflow: brief session notes, goals (e.g., overwhelm rating before/after, time to re‑engage in class), and tracked patterns (e.g., which tools help which students). This aligns with occupational therapy practice guidance to pair interventions with meaningful, individualized outcomes and transparent documentation.
How families can use these ideas at home
At a recent family seminar, Ellie led 30‑minute psychoeducation on sensory concepts and practical carryover—simple routines like previewing transitions, offering choice, and building a small “regulation station” (earbuds, fidgets, soft lighting). Families left with safety guidance and a plan to test one or two tools, not ten at once.
About Solstice West
Solstice West RTC is located in Layton, Utah. Academic instruction is delivered by Utah‑licensed teachers, and our clinical team integrates OT‑informed sensory strategies within a trauma‑informed, relationship‑based model of care. Tours are available by request.
What to do next
- Ask for a walk‑through. Seeing the room helps you picture how it supports therapy and school.
- Talk to our team about whether sensory‑based strategies fit your teen’s treatment goals.
- If you’re a district partner, we can coordinate observation or consultation.
Talk With Our Team About the Right Next Step
If your teen’s life is impacted by disregulation and you’re searching for residential support, our admissions team can help you understand whether Solstice West may be the right fit.
Contact Our Team | Call Now
FAQs
How long are sessions in the sensory room?
Short and goal‑focused. Teens enter with a purpose (e.g., down‑regulate after therapy), practice for minutes—not hours—and return to class or sessions when ready.
Is a sensory room the same as sensory integration therapy (ASI)?
No. A sensory room is a setting and set of tools used for regulation. ASI is a manualized therapy delivered by trained OTs with fidelity; evidence is mixed, and expectations should center on individualized goals.
Are weighted blankets safe for teens?
They can be safe when used correctly and may offer small benefits for anxiety/sleep, but they’re not right for everyone. Use only if the teen can remove the blanket independently and review with a clinician if there are respiratory/sleep concerns.
Do sensory rooms reduce seclusion or restraint?
Findings are encouraging but mixed. Implementation studies and reviews suggest sensory rooms/modulation can support de‑escalation as part of broader trauma‑informed changes (training, policy, environment). Measurement and context matter.
Crisis and safety note
If you or your child is in immediate danger or is considering self-harm, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
For 24/7 support in the United States, you can call or text 988 or chat via the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are outside the U.S., please contact your local emergency number or national crisis service. This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or mental-health advice.
Solstice West is a residential treatment center for adolescent girls ages 12–18, specializing in addictive and compulsive behaviors rooted in trauma, attachment, anxiety, and depression. The program serves all-gender adolescents who identify as female, including nonbinary and transgender AFAB students. Solstice West’s relationship-based, trauma-informed approach incorporates DBT, CBT, EMDR, Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, experiential therapy, and family systems work. The program is fully licensed by the State of Utah, accredited by Cognia and CARF, and recognized by California and Washington State for academic credit transfer. Solstice West is located at 1904 W Gordon Ave, Layton, UT 84041.
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