Sensory Diets for Children with Sensory Processing Disorders
What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is the ability to perceive information from the body and environment in a functional, adaptive manner. One tool to help a child with SPD is the use of Sensory Diets.
A child with SPD could have difficulty using sensory input from their eyes (vision), ears (sound), skin (touch), nose (smell), mouth (taste), muscles and joints (body awareness), and inner ear (balance) (Sensory Diet: Practical Ways to Incorporate Sensory Input, 2018). The right amount of sensory input can help stimulate a child to feel less sluggish and can help soothe their “overloaded sensory system” to help them feel more focused and organized in their own bodies.
What is a Sensory Diet?
A sensory diet includes a group of activities individualized to meet a child’s daily schedule. It’s used to help self-regulate a child’s emotions. The diet will consist of sensory activities, equipment, and strategies used to assist a child in feeling calm and organized to stay focused throughout the day (Sensory Diet: Practical Ways to Incorporate Sensory Input, 2018).
Four Main Sensory Systems:
Tactile: Sense and discrimination of touch
Vestibular: Movement and balance
Oral: May seek or avoid sensations within their mouth
Proprioception: Where the body receives deep pressure and input to muscles/joints through heavy work
(Sensory Diet: Practical Ways to Incorporate Sensory Input, 2018).
Signs of Under-Stimulation and Over-Stimulation
Under-Stimulation:
Falling asleep
Slumped posture
Decreased attention
Moving slowly
Unable to follow directions
Over-Stimulation:
Fidgeting
Easily distracted
Increased muscle tone
Shuts down
Angry/Irritable outburst
Sensory Diet Strategies and Activities
Tactile: Playing in a bin of rice, using shaving cream on table top surfaces, using play-doh on table top surfaces, playing with water in a bin, finger painting.
Vestibular: Using any swing, doing somersault/cart-wheels, moving to the song head/shoulders/knees/toes, log rolling, bike riding, jump rope, rock climbing.
Oral: Using an oral chewy to chew on, crunchy foods, intense flavored foods, blowing bubbles
Proprioception: Carrying a weighted backpack, weighted or compression vest, wheelbarrow walks, jumping on trampoline, wall push-ups, bear hugs
(Sensory Diet: Practical Ways to Incorporate Sensory Input, 2018).
References:
Sensory diet: Practical ways to incorporate sensory input. Tools To Grow. (2018). Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://www.toolstogrowot.com/blog/2
018/08/05/sensory-diet-practical-ways-to-incorporate-sensory-input