Bubble Column vs Hurricane Column

 

Are you considering buying a sensory column but not 100% sure whether to go for the bubble or the waterless hurricane tube? We can help you decide!

Bubble and Hurricane Columns are centrepieces of every multi-sensory environment. Using a sensory tube will immediately draw eyes and capture the attention of distracted minds.

Therapeutic benefits of Sensory Columns:

  • Calming: The tubes are very calming. Their lights and soft humming sounds encourage relaxation and ease anxiety. They’re perfect for de-escalation spaces and helping users feel more settled in their environment.
  • Stimulating: The column’s changing colours and racing bubbles create a wonderfully stimulating visual effect that distracts and captures attention.
  • Development: Interaction and movement are key elements of the tube’s experience, helping to develop tactile, visual and social skills.

Bubble Column vs Hurricane Column

Explained In More Detail

1 . What goes inside the columns?

  • Bubble Column: The Bubble Column is filled with water and water treatment additives. You can add Floating Fish and Ball Effects, which float in the water for additional visual stimulation.
  • Hurricane Column: The Hurricane Column is filled with specially treated polystyrene beads circulated by an air fan.

2. What do the columns sound like?

  • Bubble Column: You can hear the bubbles and sound of flowing water; it’s very relaxing and may remind some of being on holiday or sitting in a warm, bubbling bath or hot tub.
  • Hurricane Column: The sound of the pitter-patter as the beads hit the top cap and the calming hum of the airflow. This sounds like rain tapping on a window and gives a relaxing and comforting sound.

3. How do you maintain the columns?

  • Bubble Column: The water inside the Bubble Column should be replaced every 6 – 8 weeks. If the room temperature is hot, the column may need to be emptied more frequently. When the column is empty, the tube may also need to be scrubbed to clean off any scum deposits. See our full cleaning instructions here: https://www.rhinouk.com/how-do-i-clean-my-sensory-bubble-column/.
  • Hurricane Columns: No maintenance, but the beads can be replaced annually for infection control.

4. Are both columns available in different sizes?

  • Yes, both are available in a variety of sizes, starting with the tabletop columns. However, Tabletop Tubes are smaller, portable and practical for busy spaces. When you’re not using it, you can move it around with ease and pack it away in a carry bag.
  • Sizes then start from 120cm tall to 200cm tall.
  • The size you decide on depends on the space you have available, and our team is more than happy to advise.

5. Can you put a podium or bean bag around both kinds of columns?

  • Yes, both columns can be fitted into a podium. A podium creates a comfortable padded seat around a sensory column where you can get up close and experience it fully. The column’s base is safely contained behind wooden panels covered in mirrors, creating a lovely visual effect.
  • Beanbags can be placed around a Bubble Column, but they cannot be put around a Hurricane Column as they can block the fan’s airflow. So please, please don’t do this!

6. Can you use interactive controllers in bother sensory columns?

Yes, both sensory columns are available in an interactive version, whereby a variety of controllers can be used to; change the colour and stop/start the bubbles or beads.

 

The Hurricane Column has one feature the Bubble Column doesn’t! If you hold your hand over the top cap of the column, it will stop the airflow. When you let go, the beads will WOOSH up like a volcano! It’s a simple but effective cause-and-effect interaction.

 

We hope this short blog has helped you decide which column to buy, but please get in touch if we haven’t answered all of your questions or if you want to find out more.

The Benefits of Multi-Sensory Environments

 

After extensive research, cognitive psychologists have suggested that the main ingredient of the ‘intellectual phenomenon‘ is sensory stimulation, as people explore and learn about the world with their five senses.

Continue reading “The Benefits of Multi-Sensory Environments”

Little Miracles in Ramsey use £48,917 funding on Rhino UK’s Sensory Equipment

The People’s Project who partner with the Big Lottery Fund, The National Lottery and ITV, give the public the chance to decide how National Lottery funding can make a difference in their local community.

Continue reading “Little Miracles in Ramsey use £48,917 funding on Rhino UK’s Sensory Equipment”

What is a Sensory Processing Disorder?

A Sensory Processing Disorder is a mental condition that affects how your brain receives signals from your senses.

People with sensory processing disorders may find themselves oversensitive to sights, sounds, textures, flavours, and other sensory inputs, making everyday experiences overwhelming. They might even lead to a Sensory Overload when their brain feels overstimulated by the sensory information around them.

Sensory Overloads are not too dissimilar to an anxiety attack. If you’re experiencing a sensory overload, it’s best to take yourself to a quiet, calm area, so your senses can balance out and restabilise.

Sensory processing disorders affect children and adults alike and negatively influence their social, personal, and professional lives.

Luckily, there are lots of things you can do to manage your sensory processing disorder. Carry on reading to find out.

 

What are the main signs of a Sensory Processing Disorder?

Are you Hypersensitive or Hyposensitive?

Hypersensitive people are likely to have an extreme response to sensory inputs that pass by neurotypical people, whether that’s noticing sounds that other people may not; reacting negatively to being touched, even by people that they know; or excessively worrying about their safety in large crowds.

Hyposensitive people lack sensitivity to their surroundings. Because of this, they can be very active, constantly on the move to seek sensory stimulation; they might feel a need to touch their surroundings, including people, which can sometimes come across as inappropriate to others. Hyposensitive people can also have issues with personal space and come across as a little clumsy and uncoordinated.

Maybe you’re both.

Some people with sensory processing issues show signs of both hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity and can behave in one or both of the following ways:

  • An extreme response to a change in environment. Someone may be comfortable in a familiar environment, but if they are taken to a new place or their routine changes, it could cause a ‘meltdown’.
  • Fleeing from stimulation. Hypersensitive people may try to escape over-stimulating environments and move towards a space that’s familiar and calming.

 

What skills can be affected?

People with sensory processing issues have difficulty processing sensory information, which can quickly become frustrating and confusing. It can be a struggle to adjust to new surroundings, prompting feelings of stress and anxiety; because of this, it can take longer for people with sensory processing issues to settle into new activities or situations.

Those who are under-sensitive may avoid touching and handling objects, which can consequently impact their motor skills development.

Over-sensitive people can have difficulty socialising if they feel anxious or irritable around other people. Whilst under-sensitive people may be too rough or full-on with others, making others feel uncomfortable and could, unfortunately, lead that person to be excluded from school.

Poor self-control is another issue a person may face when they feel overstimulated or anxious; they may have trouble controlling their impulses, leading to random outbursts of behaviour, like running off or throwing something.

 

How can I help someone with a Sensory Processing Disorder?

Helping somebody with a sensory processing disorder is no easy task. It’s not something that can be controlled, managed, or changed; it needs to be supported.

Thankfully, there are lots of ways you can support someone with a sensory processing disorder to help make them and their life easier. Here are a few ideas to try and help:

  • Research to learn about sensory processing disorders, so you can identify their signs and can recognise patterns or triggers in their behaviour.
  • Knowing and understanding patterns means that you can try and put things in place before meltdowns occur, making situations less stressful or scary.
  • Provide opportunities for them to socialise with others in a space where they feel safe and comfortable enough to join in with activities with other people. Multi-Sensory Rooms or a simple sensory space (a quiet space in a shed/tent, for example) are great environments to encourage this.
  • Develop a conversation about feelings of anxiety or stress so that when they’re feeling uncomfortable, they feel confident to let you know. You can then act and move them to a space where they feel comfortable, reducing the risk of a meltdown.
  • Use your knowledge to try and prevent over-stimulating situations. For example, if noise can cause your child to feel anxious, try not to fire up the lawnmower or use the vacuum cleaner when they are around.
  • Never feel alone. There are lots of resources available to help you and your child with their sensory processing disorder.

 

Sensory Resources for Hypersensitivity

  • Cocoon: This is a great resource to create a small, safe place.
  • Squeeze Machine: Being tightly held can be calming, comforting and give a sense of security to the user.
  • Ear Defenders: Reduce the sound level if your child suffers from sensory overload.
  • Weighted Blanket: Create a calming effect with our range of weighted blankets.

 

Sensory Resources for Hyposensitivity

 

More information on Sensory Processing Disorders:

 

Sensory On The Move

People with Sensory Processing Disorders can find it difficult to cope with everyday goings-on within their lives. Travelling to new places and unfamiliar environments can prove to be very stressful and uncomfortable experiences. Because of this, we’ve gathered our team of sensory experts to put together a collection of calming sensory products to help make sensory processing disorders easier to manage on a day to day basis.

Accessibility is the main focus of our sensory collection so that users can access the stimulation they need wherever and whenever they want, and our Sensory Kits fit this brief perfectly.

Lightweight, compact, and easy to carry, our Sensory Kits are the perfect solution for those on the go. We’ve put together a wide variety of kits to suit a wide range of needs and abilities.

Our Top 5 Sensory Kits

Fidget Sensory Kit

Our Fidget Sensory Kit is perfect for keeping fidgeting fingers happy and distracted minds focused, helping to boost concentration in learning environments.

Includes: Stretchy caterpillar, Squidgy Sparkle Shapes, Stretchy Alien, Tangle Therapy, Sensory Touch Ball, Spider Ball, Squishy Mesh Ball, Bog Eyed Bugglies, Liquid Timer, Eye Ball, Magnetic Animals, Vibrating Fish, and a Funky Disco Duck. (Contents may vary).

Fidget Sensory Kit

Calming Sensory Kit

Our Sensory Calming Kit has been put together for those with Autism or Anxiety. The kit is full of calming sensory resources that encourage relaxation and de-escalation, including sensory fidgets, a weighted blanket, and relaxing scents.

Calming Sensory Kit

Distraction Kit

Handpicked by our team of Sensory Experts, the Distraction Kit is filled with a variety of distracting sensory resources that will provide hours of stimulating fun.

Distraction Sensory Kit

Pop Up Sensory Set

Packed full of sensory delight, our Pop-up Sensory Kit contains everything you could possibly need to create an immersive multisensory environment in seconds.

From Tabletop Hurricane Tubes to twinkly Fibre Optic Lights, and dreamy Aura Projectors, this set has been put together by our Sensory Specialists, so that you can create an inclusive stimulating environment that works for you.

Lightweight, portable and easily packed away, have sensory fun wherever you go. We’d recommend this kit for use in schools, care homes and in your own homes.

Pop Up Sensory Set

Rhino Sensory Hut

Following the great demand for a space-saving sensory solution, we developed The Rhino Sensory Hut – it’s soft, safe, sturdy and can be enjoyed wherever suits you best.

Five sections of soft play Velcro together to create a personal sensory space for anyone who needs time to unwind or explore their senses.  When you’re finished, simply deconstruct the den and store it away until it’s the next time to play.

Sensory Den

 

There are lots of small adaptions that you can make to create sensory-friendly environments. Think about your day to day activities, what situations could cause anxiety or discomfort, and what changes can you make to help rid those negative feelings.

Don’t forget that you can always get in touch with a member of our friendly sensory team if you’d like any more help, guidance or sensory inspiration.

 

 

Which Multisensory Resources make a difference for those on the Autistic Spectrum?

Which Multisensory Resources make a difference for those on the Autistic Spectrum?

People on the Autistic Spectrum can find it very difficult to process everyday sensory information; their senses can be over or under-sensitive, or they might experience both at different times. These sensory differences can have a significant effect on a person’s life and can affect their behaviour.

A person with Autism may behave in a way that you would not instantly link to sensory sensitivities. However, a person who struggles to deal with everyday sensory information is commonly experiencing sensory overload. Too much information causes stress, anxiety and sometimes actual physical pain, which can result in a meltdown, being withdrawn, or showing challenging behaviour.

It is important that we don’t judge a person who is having a meltdown or not responding. Small changes to an autistic person’s environment can make a huge difference, so as a carer, it is very important to consider the following points:

  • Take a second glance: Regularly re-evaluate environments to identify any difficulties it may be causing.
  • Add a sparkle of sensory: Implement sensory experiences to help stabilise a fragile state of mind.
  • Always be prepared: Tell the person about possible sensory stimuli they may experience before they are confronted by it.

It’s been proven that if a person with autism spends regular time with Sensory Environment or in a Sensory Room, it will help them control their behaviour, process information and increase their communication and organisational skills.

In most cases, a sensory room may be considered a luxury or an option that’s not immediately available. However, other sensory solutions are relatively inexpensive, portable and readily available.

If you have a spare corner of a room or even space to place a box, that’s great! You’ll soon be able to treat your senses to some sensory stimulation.

Sensory Equipment Ideas

Every autistic person will respond differently to a sensory environment, so it’s important that you create a space tailored to each user’s needs.

Below are a few sensory resources that have proven to have a positive impact for those with autism:

Opti Aura LED Projector 

Aura Projector

The Opti Aura Projector can transform a room into an immersive, visually stimulating environment within seconds. Choose a wheel from our extensive effect wheel collection and project worlds of imagination onto walls, floors and ceilings. Then, relax into the nighttime by projecting your very own galaxy of stars, or dive deep under the sea and swim with whales.

Tabletop Hurricane Tube

Tabletop Hurricane Tube

Our waterless bubble tube is a fantastically unique sensory resource. Its calming bubbling effect relaxes the user, distracting their eyes and mind and taking them into a calmer colourful world of bubbles.

Protac Sensit Chair

Protac Sensit Chair

A friend or a chair? Our specially designed sensory chair is fitted with weighted flaps that provide a ‘hug-like’ sense of security and calmness. Sensit Chairs have also been proven to increase concentration levels among users, making them a valuable resource for classrooms and activity spaces.

Tranquil Turtle

Tranquil Turtle

A bedtime buddy perfect for washing away any night-time worries and turning any bedroom into a sleepy dream palace. Our compact Tranquil Turtles create a calming underwater effect with soft lights and comforting sounds, encouraging a great nights sleep.

Sensory Fidgets 

Fidget Kit

Those with autism can have times of high anxiety, making it even harder for them to focus. With so many thoughts and feelings crowding their brain, they might struggle to organise their emotions and focus. A fidget is excellent for bringing people out of their heads and into their hands. Touching and exploring these tactile objects opens another side of your brain and boosts your concentration levels.

Swings

Sling Swing

Many people with autism find that the smooth rocking and swaying of a swing helps them feel relaxed. The proprioceptive stimulation the swing provides increases concentration and focus, helping ground an individual within themselves and their activity. In addition, the stimulation of their vestibular (movement) and proprioceptive (position) senses helps the person feel more in control of their own body.

To find out more about sensory equipment and sensory rooms suitable for those with Autism, please browse our website for inspiration or call our product specialists on 01270 766660 to discuss your requirements.