“While I cannot change the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease, I can change the environment in which those who have the disease experience their journey.”

Kathy Hirsch

Kathy discovered Multi-Sensory Environments (MSE) while working as a Special Education Consultant for the Waterloo Region District School Board. While on a field trip to one of the first Snoezelen Rooms in Ontario, Kathy was amazed and intrigued by the immediate positive engagement her cognitively impaired students had with the sensory environment.

Convinced her students would benefit from a Multi-Sensory room of their own, Kathy began researching sensory integration. She worked diligently to raise the funds, educate administration, design a room for her students and incorporate sensory interventions into their programs. The positive experiences in her first “school age” sensory room motivated her to bring the benefits of sensory stimulation to older users… seniors living in Long Term Care living with Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.

Twenty years later Kathy is still learning more about the positive impacts of sensory integrations, and works to share this knowledge to front line staff caring for seniors. She has assisted all ages (from 5 months to 101 years) and all abilities of people, in schools, long term care homes, adult day programs and hospitals using Multi-Sensory Integration.

Katherine has a degree in Deaf-Blind Intervention and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences from Wilfrid Laurier University. Kathy is a certified Snoezelen trainer and has taught workshops in Sensory Integration and Alzheimer’s care at George Brown College, and the Waterloo Wellington Alzheimer’s Society.

Contact Kathy Directly at kathy@sensory-scapes.ca or 519-574-7364


What our clients have to say…

Kathy, WOW WOW WOW!!!! You have blown us away. The murals look amazing. The staff and residents were so pleased with this surprise this morning and really love them. The residents really knew that they were living in New Hamburg with the pictures that were chosen. My leadership team was taken for a tour today and loved them as well!

Nithview Home

Nithview Home

SC., Director of Recreation Services

Hi Kathy, I can’t thank you enough for the awesome presentation you did today. I also want to thank you for fixing the “bubble issue” of our sensory cart. Thank you so much, really appreciate your time and efforts today!

Providence Centre

Providence Centre

DP. Activation & Programs Manager., Houses of Providence.

Hi Kathy, You did a fantastic job with the install and I think you are absolutely brilliant with your ideas. Thanks for sharing.

Impulse Graphics & Displays

Impulse Graphics & Displays

S. FR. Client Services

Kathy this turned out better than I could have imagined and we are so grateful for you and Sensory Scapes!! The residents at Chartwell Gibson LTC will enjoy taking train rides for years to come and we can’t thank you enough!!

Chartwell Gibson

Chartwell Gibson

D Mc. Acting Administrator and Program Services Coordinator

Hi Kathy, Since I didn’t get to see you before you left on Tuesday, I just want to extend a huge thank you for installing the beautiful murals at Rideaucrest Home. We have already received so much positive feedback from the residents, families and staff and I have noticed residents and families enjoying those spaces over the past few days. Thanks again for your wonderful work and hopefully we will work with you again soon!

Rideaucrest Home

Rideaucrest Home

LB. Supervisor of Resident Programs and Services. Rideaucrest Home. City of Kingston

The student feedback on your presentation has been so positive. They found you to by dynamic, passionate, humorous and knowledgeable, It was a pleasure to have you join us and I will certainly keep in touch.

George Brown College

George Brown College

I wanted to first let you know how much the staff who attended your workshop LOVED what you shared! They were still talking about the balance and their understanding of sensory after you came. Our principal, after hearing rave reviews, was wondering if you may be willing to come back to our school yet again to present to our entire staff. We are not only looking at it from the perspective of the child, but our own balance and wellness as well.

St. Mary School Trenton

St. Mary School Trenton

JT. SERT Teacher. St. Mary School Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board

Just wanted to send another email to say THANK YOU! I came to work this morning with some messages from a few staff mentioning how helpful it was to consider the sensory “diet” and how it helped change their perspective on how to program. they even brought it back to regular programming as well which was awesome to hear and something we have been trying to address to ensure the residents are receiving activities on multiple domains, So awesome! Thank you. Thank you. Thanks you!

Chartwell Trilogy

Chartwell Trilogy

KC. Program and Services Support Manager

It was an absolute pleasure to meet and to work with your amazing company Kathy! Thank you for sharing your time, talent and expertise with us! We LOVE our sensory room! The student were blown away this morning. Wish you could have seen their eyes!

Ecole Marc-Garneau

Ecole Marc-Garneau

CM. Principal. Ecole Marc-Garneau. Conseil de ecoles publiques de l'Est de L'Ontario

I was just at SMB today and the space looks awesome! What I love about it, among many things, is the hidden little treasures on the shelf and in the drawers. It was fun to discover all the fun little items and it also keeps the room looking so clean and organized by having it stored out of site. Very cool – I think this is a great room to inspire other schools and to learn from.

Saint Marguerite Burgeoys School

Saint Marguerite Burgeoys School

SL. OT Reg. (Ont.) Alogonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board

It was a pleasure to have you for our training. It was absolutely amazing! Thanks so much for coming, in fact, it would be great if you could come back, I hope to be in touch with you soon in regards to our sensory room.

Ecole St. Joseph

Ecole St. Joseph

CA. Teacher. Consiel scholaire Viamonde

It is nice working with a supplier who is so hands on with the ordering process and delivering equipment, it makes my job much easier. I also know our Board will be interested in some training opportunities in the fall.

Algonquin & Lakeshore CDSB

Algonquin & Lakeshore CDSB

CS. Secretary of Student Services.

I want to thank you for a great presentation last week. The volunteers and staff thoroughly enjoyed your education and were engaged. I will be booking again in the spring.

Chartwell Parkhill LTC

Chartwell Parkhill LTC

MB. Program Support Services Manager