A sensory diet is a planned and scheduled activity program frequently designed by an occupational therapist to meet the nervous system needs of an individual, usually a child, with sensory processing disorder or dysfunction. According to sensory processing dysfunction expert Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A., in “The Out-of-Sync Child,” a daily sensory diet fulfills the physical and emotional needs of an individual in the same way that a healthy whole food-based diet satisfies daily nutritional requirements.
Individualized
Every child’s nervous system's needs are different. For instance, some children’s sensory systems are over-sensitive. These children tend to avoid stimulating activities like swinging, climbing and jumping and they may be over-sensitive to touch, sounds and smells. A good sensory diet for these children will include activities to help de-sensitize them to everyday sensory stimuli. Other children have under-sensitive sensory systems. Under-sensitive children can’t seem to get enough stimulation. They roll in the mud, constantly fidget, jump on beds and furniture, and they enjoy spicy food and loud music. A good sensory diet for under-sensitive children will include bouncing, jumping and opportunities for controlled physical contact. Some children are over-sensitive in some areas and under-sensitive in others. Accordingly, a good sensory diet is developed by and includes regular check-ins with an occupational therapist or other trained health care provider who is familiar with the child’s needs.
Balanced
A good sensory diet is balanced with alerting, organizing and calming activities. A sensory diet session will typically begin with an alerting or calming activity depending on the child’s needs. For example, an alerting activity may be selected for an under-sensitive child who seems sluggish and needs a boost to become effectively aroused and engaged. Alerting activities include eating crunchy foods like carrots, apples or celery, taking a shower or other water play, and bouncing and jumping. For an over-sensitive child who is overly active, a calming activity is appropriate. Calming activities include sucking on certain foods like an ice cube, frozen fruit bar or a spoonful of nut butter. Pushing against a wall, rocking, swaying and swinging slowly are also calming activities. Organizing activities will help a child focus attention on a task and better regulate his physical and emotional responses to sensory stimuli. Organizing activities include pushing and pulling heavy loads, hanging by the hands or upside-down from monkey bars, and eating chewy foods like dried fruit or jerky.
Nourishes the Tactile, Vestibular and Proprioceptive Senses
Children with sensory processing disorder or dysfunction exhibit difficulties with touch, movement and body position. A good sensory diet will include touch activities to integrate the tactile system, movement activities to integrate the vestibular system and body positioning activities to integrate the proprioceptive system. Tactile integration activities include finger painting, sand play, water play, back rubs and petting animals. Vestibular integration activities include rolling down hills, swinging, sitting on a T-stool, walking on unstable surfaces like sand or rocks, and jumping on a trampoline. Activities to help develop the proprioceptive system include leapfrog, bear hugs, tearing paper, tug of war and playing catch.
Consistent and Structured but Flexible
A good, balanced sensory diet is like a personal fitness plan that enables the child to function smoothly throughout the day. It should be incorporated into the child’s day at regular and consistent intervals to ensure that the child’s sensory system receives the input it needs to stay alert, organized and calm. For example, a structured sequence might include sensory activities after breakfast, after school and before bedtime. Listening and watching for clues from the child about when to start and stop is imperative. A child bouncing on his seat suggests a need for movement. Jumping on a trampoline or jogging around the block might be a good activity choice. An overstimulated child may begin to laugh uncontrollably, indicating a need to stop even if the child appears to be happy. Being flexible and observant will aid in the selection of the appropriate sensory activity because the child’s personal choices provide insight into the specific sensory input the child needs at any given time.
References
- "The Out-of-Sync Child"; Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A.; 1998
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