Leena Watts
A sensory diet is a treatment strategy used to manage sensory processing dysfunction, also known as sensory motor integration dysfunction. It is a personalised activity plan that provides the sensory input a person's nervous system needs to stay focused and organised throughout the day. The goal of a sensory diet is to prevent sensory and emotional overload by meeting the nervous system's sensory needs. It is usually prescribed by an occupational therapist and used during therapy sessions. The activities included depend on the sensory issues of the individual and their age, arousal level, and environment.
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What You'll Learn
Understand the purpose of a sensory diet
Understanding the purpose of a sensory diet is key to successfully implementing one. A sensory diet is a treatment strategy used to manage sensory processing dysfunction, or sensory motor integration dysfunction. It is a list of sensory activities that help to keep a child calm and organised, which in turn helps them to learn, pay attention and behave to the best of their ability.
The purpose of a sensory diet is to provide a child with a balanced amount of sensory information throughout the day, so that their body can function well. Just as we need a balanced food diet to stay healthy, we also need a balanced amount of sensory input. A sensory diet is a treatment that can help children with sensory processing issues. It is a carefully designed, personalised activity plan that provides the sensory input a child's nervous system needs to stay focused and organised.
The activities included in a sensory diet depend on the sensory issues of the child. For example, a child who is sluggish, or has low arousal, may benefit from activities that get them moving, such as bouncing or rolling on a weighted yoga ball. On the other hand, a child who is overstimulated may need activities that help them calm down, such as using seamless socks, which can be a good option for kids who are sensitive to the feeling of their clothes.
The main goal of a sensory diet is to prevent sensory and emotional overload by meeting the nervous system's sensory needs. It can also be used as a recovery technique. A sensory diet can be used as a treatment strategy when attention or behaviour is problematic, as well as a preventative tool in advance of known behaviour challenges.
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Consult an occupational therapist
A sensory diet is a treatment strategy used to manage sensory processing dysfunction. It is a list of sensory activities that helps to keep a child calm and organised, allowing them to attend, learn and behave to the best of their ability. It is usually designed by an occupational therapist and used during therapy sessions.
Consulting an occupational therapist is important because they have advanced training and evaluation skills to develop a strong sensory diet. They can help you understand how a sensory diet works and why it is beneficial. They can also recommend sensory products and activities that are tailored to your child's needs. These activities can be easily incorporated into a child's routine and can include heavy work activities, such as chores, that can be done at home or school.
Occupational therapists can also assist with visual supports and scheduling activities throughout the day. They can provide classroom accommodations and suggest activities for at-home sensory diets. It is recommended to work with an occupational therapist who has experience with sensory processing issues, as they can recognise when a child is overreactive or underreactive and adjust the sensory input accordingly.
Observational checklists can be used to gather information about a person's sensory profile, and there are numerous sensory checklists available online and in books. A sensory diet template can be a helpful tool when creating a sensory diet, but it is important to remember that each person will have a unique formula depending on their preferences, processing, needs, and environment.
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Identify the individual's sensory needs
A sensory diet is a treatment strategy used to manage sensory processing dysfunction, or sensory motor integration dysfunction. It is a list of sensory activities that help to keep a child calm and organised, allowing them to attend, learn and behave to the best of their ability. It is a personalised activity schedule that provides the sensory input a person's nervous system needs to stay focused and organised throughout the day.
The first step in creating a sensory diet is to identify the individual's sensory needs. This can be done through observational checklists, which gather information about a person's sensory profile. These checklists can be found online or in books. It is important to note that each child has a unique set of sensory needs. For example, a child whose nervous system is overaroused and too wired will need more calming input, while a child who is more underaroused and tired will need more alerting input.
Occupational therapists (OTs) can use their advanced training and evaluation skills to develop a strong sensory diet for a child. They can also assist with visual supports and scheduling activities throughout the day. However, it is up to parents and caregivers to implement the sensory diet at home, and teachers in schools.
The activities included in a sensory diet will depend on the sensory issues of the individual. For example, proprioceptive input (sensations from joints, muscles and connective tissues) can be obtained by lifting, pushing and pulling heavy objects. Vestibular input, or the sense of movement, can be created by any type of movement such as spinning or swinging. The tactile sense, which detects light touch, deep pressure, texture, temperature, vibration and pain, can be stimulated through activities such as using a sensory sock, which provides calming deep pressure and movement against resistance, or seamless socks, which are a good option for children sensitive to the feeling of their clothes. Auditory input can be calming or organising, depending on the type of input.
By identifying the individual's sensory needs and working with an occupational therapist, a sensory diet can be tailored to meet their specific needs and provide the necessary input to stay focused and organised.
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Create a personalised activity plan
A sensory diet is a personalised activity plan designed to meet an individual's sensory needs. It is a treatment strategy used to manage sensory processing dysfunction, also known as sensory motor integration dysfunction. The goal of a sensory diet is to prevent sensory and emotional overload by meeting the nervous system's sensory needs. It can also be used as a recovery technique.
To create a personalised activity plan, it is important to first understand the unique sensory needs of the individual. This can be done through observational checklists, which gather information about a person's sensory profile. Once the specific needs are identified, a variety of activities can be incorporated into the plan to address these needs.
The activities included in the sensory diet will depend on the individual's age, arousal level, and the specific sensory systems that need to be targeted. For example, proprioceptive input, which involves sensations from joints, muscles, and connective tissues, can be achieved through lifting, pushing, and pulling heavy objects. Vestibular input, or the sense of movement, can be created through spinning or swinging. Tactile, auditory, and visual senses can also be targeted through specific activities.
It is important to note that a sensory diet should be tailored to the individual's routine and environment. It can be implemented in various spaces, such as at home, in school, or during therapy sessions. The activities should be easily incorporated into the individual's daily life to ensure consistent practice.
Consulting with an occupational therapist who has experience with sensory processing issues is highly recommended. They can use their advanced training and evaluation skills to develop a strong sensory diet and adjust the sensory input to meet the individual's needs.
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Implement the sensory diet
Implementing the sensory diet involves putting the sensory activities into practice and integrating them into the child's daily routine. It is recommended to consult with an occupational therapist (OT) who has experience with sensory processing issues. They will be able to create a sensory diet tailored to the child's needs and make adjustments as required.
The therapist will consider the child's sensory profile, which can be assessed through observational checklists. They will also determine the child's arousal level, whether they need to "rev up" or "relax", and their environment, such as whether they are at school or home.
The sensory diet activities can be carried out at home, school, or preschool, with parents, caregivers, and teachers all playing a role in implementing the strategies. The more the child practices, the better. The activities can include heavy work activities, such as chores like sweeping, dusting, and vacuuming, which can help children achieve a "'just right'" state.
Other examples of activities that can be used as part of a sensory diet include:
- Proprioceptive input: lifting, pushing, and pulling heavy objects, including their own weight, or hanging from monkey bars.
- Vestibular input: any type of movement such as spinning or swinging.
- Tactile sense: detecting light touch, deep pressure, texture, temperature, vibration, and pain.
- Auditory input: calming and organizing sounds, as well as reducing unwanted noise or visual stimulation if necessary.
- Olfactory sense: certain smells can stimulate, calm, or overwhelm a person's senses.
The sensory diet can also include the use of sensory tools, such as sensory socks, which provide calming deep pressure, and seamless socks, which are a comfortable option for children sensitive to the feel of their clothes. Weighted yoga balls are another tool that can be used for movement and sensory breaks.
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Frequently asked questions
A sensory diet is a treatment strategy used to manage sensory processing dysfunction. It is a personalised activity schedule that provides the sensory input a person’s nervous system needs to stay focused and organised throughout the day.
A sensory diet should be designed for an individual's unique sensory needs, taking into account their preferences, processing, needs, and environment. It is often used for children with sensory processing issues but can also be used for adults.
An occupational therapist (OT) usually designs a sensory diet and uses it during therapy sessions. Parents and caregivers can then use the tailored activities at home, and teachers can use them at school.
A sensory diet consists of sensory activities that help individuals feel calm and organised, which then helps them to obtain an optimal state for learning, attention and behaving appropriately. Activities will vary based on age and ability.
A sensory diet template can be a helpful tool to get started. It is important to understand how and why a sensory diet should be created. Knowing a child's sensory profile and the activities that create calmness and regulation can be very helpful.
