The Science Behind Lava Lamps and Their Effect on Autistic Children
Lighting up Autistic children's lives with Lava lamps. Our children’s moods are strongly affected by lighting. A person with autism may experience eye pain from harsh lighting. Thus, GodsOwnChild conducted a study and consulted with authorities on sensory lights to keep kids quiet and relaxed. Check out some facts about lava lamps that are a great addition to any multi-sensory environment and for our kids' overall well-being.
Lava lamps for autistic kids have been around for a while, and simply watching them is a lot of fun. Also, they exude an almost soothing feeling.
They can be used to improve intellectual activity, focus attention, boost concentration, discourage aggressive behaviour, and encourage relaxation.
Children with specific needs, such as those with autism or ADHD, can benefit greatly from lava lamps.
With its flowing liquid, lava lamps have a calming effect that can assist students in concentrating on their coursework or in calming down before bed.
Sensory stimulation and children with autism spectrum disorders
In 2013, "hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment" was added to the diagnostic criteria for autism.
Examples include a lack of concern for pain or the cold, an adverse response to specific noises or textures, excessive object touching or smelling, and an obsession with lights or movement.
Most people with autism spectrum disorders either have an attraction to or are extremely sensitive to sensory input. Depending on the type of input and the environment in which it is perceived, many people react to sensory input in both an overactive and underactive manner.
Also, overall lighting can affect how our kids are feeling. While lights might have a mildly soothing and calming impact on certain youngsters, for others they can function as a stimulant.
Origin of Lava lamps
Invented in 1963 by British businessman Edward Craven Walker, the creator of the lighting company Mathmos, the lava lamp is a decorative lamp.
The lamp, which is contained inside of a glass vessel that also contains clear or transparent liquid throughout the remainder of its interior, is made from a bolus of a special coloured wax combination. The lamps are offered in a variety of styles and colours.
What are lava lamps made of?
Lava lamps are composed of liquid and a unique wax that fills the lamp's globe.
Your child's bedroom can benefit from the ambient and gentle glow that the light at the bottom produces to help them feel relaxed.
Caution: Lava lamps do tend to get very hot, especially at the bottom, thus, young children should not be left alone with them.
Why do lava lamps have a calming effect on autistic children?
Several symptoms of light sensitivity can appear in individuals with autism. For instance, physical signs could be:
- Less toleration for light
- Pain from fluorescent lights and other types of artificial light
- Minor avoidance habits (e.g. shielding eyes)
- Afterimages
- Visual snow
- Headaches or migraines triggered by light
Poor eye contact or eye movement are possible additional symptoms, as well as repetitive behaviours (autism stereotypes).
High anxiety is also associated with sensory abnormalities associated with autism; this is supported by larger clinical research that reveals light exposure to be a significant source of worry in sensitive people.
At least for school-aged autistics, these kinds of sensory interruptions can cause social issues and decrease academic results.
Lighting and effects on children with Autism
Lights that flicker or buzz can be extremely annoying and occasionally uncomfortable.
Thus, it’s generally advised to employ adjustable lighting in order to generate a relaxing impression.
Controlling visual cues in the space is crucial, and certain light levels and colours may be advantageous.
How Lava Lamps Calm Children
A sensory bottle and a lava lamp have a similar idea.
Children are instructed to mix up a sensory bottle filled with glitter and coloured liquid before watching it all settle.
Children who watch the wax in a lava lamp float from the bottom to the top and then back down again experience a sensation of tranquilly.
Purpose of lava lamps
- Lava lamps can be used to encourage relaxation and reduce aggressive behaviour.
- These can also help to focus attention, increase concentration and promote intellectual activity.
- Constantly moving lava shapes provide a point of focus for eye-tracking work to improve visual development.
- Its soft light does not hurt the eyes of those with photosensitivity to light or these suffering from Autism with hyper-sensitivity to light.
- It is also useful for working with Dementia, Brain Trauma, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy and Insomnia.
- Colourful lava lamps with ever-changing shapes can help stimulate the visual sensory system to support overall development for those that are neurologically impaired.
- These help people focus on the movement of the lava as opposed to physical pain and discomfort from medical conditions or painful physiotherapy.
- The lava also acts as a distraction for those with a variety of mental health issues.
Lava lamps are a great addition to sensory rooms
Nowadays, lava lamps aren't just for bedrooms! You can design your child's own sensory chamber and place stuff there.
So that they may come inside and simply watch the lava in the lamp flow back and forth when your youngster is feeling overwhelmed.
Placing one where your youngster completes their schoolwork is a fantastic additional idea. This will contribute to creating a soothing environment for them.
They will even be able to focus better and feel less frustrated with it.
In addition to aiding with sensory concerns, lava lamps can also help with other things. It may also aid in lifting one's spirits.
When the stimulation from the outside world becomes too much for children, the ambient lighting that it emits in a space can serve to provide children with a sense of peace and safety.
They can relax and feel better by spending a few minutes in a room with a working lava lamp.
