A sensory diet is used primarily to treat sensory processing disorder, also called sensory integration disorder. You may also wish to implement a sensory diet for some children with autistic spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactive disorder and other conditions. A sensory diet includes a variety of activities to provide essential sensory input to your child, helping her to organize herself, manage stimulation and improve her ability to cope with transitions. Plan a sensory diet with your child's occupational therapist, as well as his teachers or other caregivers.
Step 1
Determine, with your child's occupational therapist, whether he is sensory seeking or sensory defensive. Individuals who seek out sensory input may have difficulty sitting at a desk, spending time in a quiet space or understanding appropriate personal boundaries. Children who experience sensory defensiveness may avoid noise, textures, bright lights or activities that require movement.
Step 2
Choose heavy muscle activities that interest your child or will be accepted. Consider jumping on a trampoline or jumping jacks, scooting on a scooter, carrying heavy loads or using a weighted vest or blanket.
Step 3
Provide oral stimulation, either to meet strong oral sensory needs or help your child learn to accept different textures. Integrate crunchy foods, like carrots and celery, or chewy ones like gum, gummy candy or licorice to provide sensory stimulation. Offer chew tubes to reduce inappropriate chewing.
Step 4
Integrate tactile stimulation into the sensory diet. Learn how to use a soft, nylon brush to provide this sensory input for a child with sensory defensiveness. Other tactile activities include bean or rice boxes, sand and water play, or sculpting with clay.
Step 5
Include movement activities like rolling, somersaults, swinging or bike riding in a sensory diet. These can be organized or simply scheduled as playground or play time.
Tips and Warnings
- Many schools have an occupational therapist on staff who can help organize a sensory diet during the school day.
- Children should never be forced into activities. Include several options for different sensory activities to provide essential sensory input while keeping daily life fun and interesting.
Things You'll Need
- Large motor toys
- Crunchy or chewy foods
- Chew tubes
- Soft nylon brush
- Beans, rice or other textures
References
- Sensory Smarts: Sensory Diet Activities
- DevelopmentalDelay.net: Sensory Diet and Classroom Modification
- Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation: Sensory Processing Disorder Explained
- Virginia Deparment of Education: What's on the Menu for Your Sensory Diet?
- "The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder"; Carol Kranowitz, Lucy Jane Miller; 2006
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