According to The Free Dictionary by Farlex, "Sensory integration disorder or dysfunction, or SID, is a neurological disorder that results from the brain's inability to integrate certain information received from the body's five basic sensory systems." Children who exhibit this type of disorder are said to have a developmental delay. Occupational theraists address this disorder through techniques that make up a sensory integration disorder diet.
Function
The term sensory integration disorder diet, or sensory diet as it is commonly called, can be confusing, as it has nothing to do with food. It is a form of therapy that provides the necessary sensory input and experiences that children with SID need in order to grow and develop. Through a planned and carefully selected program of activities, the occupational therapist provides tactile or touch, vestibular, or movement, and proprioceptive, or body awareness, input to the child's nervous system. These activities may be calming, alerting or organizing.
Considerations
In choosing a sensory diet for your child, the occupational therapist will consider the child's unique needs, and allow her to select those activities that provide sensory experiences most beneficial to her. One child may love to snuggle up in a weighted blanket in order to calm herself, while another may prefer a quiet corner that is dimly lighted. The therapist may work with your child at school, at home or in the clinic. Either way you, as parent, should be involved in selecting the activities since you know your child best. You will also be expected to integrate some aspects of the sensory diet at home in order for the child to benefit fully from the program.
Prevention/Solution
In preparing for therapy, you should begin keeping a log of your child's behaviors over the course of a few days. These behaviors usually tell you what the child needs. The sensory diet may consist of simply providing solutions to your child's behaviors. For example, if he likes to twirl around and crash into things, give him something safe to twirl and crash on. This could be an open space with an old mattress or a bean bag chair. If he likes to mouth things, give him chewy toys. If he likes to jump on the furniture, a trampoline may be the answer. However, you need to be creative and work the sensory diet into the child's daily routine, says the Sensory Processing Disorder website.
Alternative Treatments
Another component of the sensory diet is therapeutic brushing. The therapist uses a special brush to make quick movements over the arms, back, legs, hands and soles of the feet. These movements are beneficial to children--but not infants--who are over-reactive to touch. The therapist follows up the brushing with deep joint compression. This is a calming technique that can be taught to parents, who complete the process for three to five minutes, six to eight times a day. The time needed for brushing is reduced as the child's sensitivity to touch decreases. In order for brushing to be effective, the correct brush and method must be used. Only occupational therapists trained in therapeutic brushing are allowed to administer it.
Warning
A sensory integration disorder diet is the treatment of choice for children diagnosed with SID. However, if you are a parent of such a child, you need to exercise caution when carrying out some of the activities. You should not attempt to do brushing or deep pressure without a trained therapist supervising you. Sensory diets are fun, but they can also be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. If you are in doubt, ask. It is better to forego treatment than to risk harming the child.
