What is a Sensory Diet?
A sensory diet is a specialized set of activities or routines designed to meet a child’s needs to allow them to successfully engage in their daily activities.The goal is to help them get into a “just right” state.
Why is a sensory diet important?
Just like we try to fuel our bodies with lots of healthy foods, our sensory system also needs a balanced set of sensory information or “input” that allows them to work well. A sensory diet provides regular opportunities for a child to monitor and control the sensory input they are seeking, avoiding, or lacking, to ensure that the amount of input received is adequate for them to function well. As a child learns to self-regulate through the use of a sensory diet, other age-appropriate skills also begin to improve, such as concentration, emotional regulation, attention, sharing, and turn-taking.
What are the signs that my child may need a sensory diet?
If your child is experiencing difficulty modulating and processing sensory information, they may exhibit some of the following behaviors:
Can’t sit still–your child is very active and always on the go
Unable to settle down after being in busy or loud environments
Having trouble calming down following physical activity
Looking tired, lethargic, or “zoned out”
Frequent meltdowns or shutdowns after school or group activities
Being too rough during play
Examples of sensory diet activities:
Listed below are just a few examples of activities that can be a part of a sensory diet. It’s important to first consult with a pediatric occupational therapist before establishing a sensory diet, as it’s important to ensure that the child is receiving the appropriate types and amounts of sensory input. An occupational therapist is specially trained and equipped to help you and your child create and monitor a sensory diet that works well for both of you!
Physical activities, such as riding a bike, playing at the playground, or jumping on a trampoline
Messy play: making slime, playing with kinetic sand, creating play-doh designs
Listening to calming music or white noise while reading
Drinking thick liquids through a straw
Carrying the laundry basket up the stairs
Wearing noise-reducing headphones at a school assembly
Using a weighted blanket while watching TV
To learn more about how our occupational therapist, Jessie, can help your family, schedule a call with us! To find out more about our sensory systems, check out our other blog post—Let’s Talk About Sensory.
