Cuenca inaugurates multisensory therapy room for children with autism

The Ecuadorian government has inaugurated the first Snoezelen multisensory room at the Specialized Integral Rehabilitation Center (CERI) No. 5 in Cuenca. Designed for children with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions, the facility utilizes specialized technology and psychomotor materials to support social interaction, communication, and sensory regulation.

The project involved an investment of approximately USD 40,000 and was implemented through a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), the Italian-Ecuadorian Fund for Sustainable Development (FIEDS), and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

The center expects to treat between 8 and 10 patients daily, totaling roughly 200 monthly sessions. A multidisciplinary team of 13 professionals, including specialists in psychology, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy, will manage the interventions. The facility serves users primarily from the Azuay, Cañar, and Morona Santiago provinces.