What Is A Sensory Diet?
You may have noticed that your child is either hypersensitive or hyposensitive to various sensory stimuli. Your child may have sensory integration dysfunction and may even demonstrate stimming. This sensory processing disorder usually occurs with autism, but may occur independently also. Occupational therapy is extremely beneficial for improving sensory integration dysfunction. But, occupational therapy can be expensive and requires weekly trips for months and most likely years. Instead of or in addition to occupational therapy, you can use a sensory diet at home throughout the day. A sensory diet is a collection of individualized sensorimotor experiences utilized throughout the day that assist your child in maintaining an appropriate level of alertness. These “sensory meals and snacks” provide just the right amount of sensory needs before stimming or other undesirable behaviors become necessary. Some of the activities will be calming while others will be more energizing. Each activity will have a different effect on each child. But, how do you figure out a particular sensory diet for your child? I used “The Alert Program for Self-Regulation” by Mary Sue Williams and Sherry Shellenberger along with “The Out of Sync Child” by Carol Stock Kranowitz, MA, and "Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight” by Sharon Heller, PhD to help my children understand their sensory needs and to help me plan appropriate activities for each of them. These books are absolutely necessary to fully develop your own home program.
I have listed various activities that we use for sensory diets in our home. You may find many of these activities helpful. I am sure that you can figure out particular experiences for your child also.
These sensory activities will most likely need to be performed for the lifetime. However, the frequency and intensity will hopefully diminish with time. You may have noticed that I have included a lot of chores. Well, chores are great for sensory integration. Perhaps, that is why God gave us work to do! Also, chores teach discipline and responsibility as an added bonus!!
And let us not forget sensory toys! Quiet fidget toys are awesome for outings, classrooms, and studying. Do not leave home without them! But, sometimes you need the noisy sensory toys, too. I also make sure that each child has plenty of “down time” with limited distractions and periods of little sensory inputs.
Now you are ready to design your own sensory diet program. Good luck!
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