I am asked all the time - What is a Sensory Diet?? So I thought I should just write a blog to help everyone understand why many children with Autism, SPD, APD & ADHD benefit from a Sensory Diet.
A Sensory Diet is made up of schedule activities to help a child regulate throughout the day. Many children need sensory breaks every few hours, especially during the school day as it is hard for them to sit still all day long. Sensory Items like weighted lap pads, fidget toys, balance cushions, gum, chew tubes, oral vibrators, velcro, bungee cords, etc.. Activities that can be done to help a child regulate include jumping jacks, pushups against the wall, carrying paper to the office, jog in place, etc...
What sensory items or sensory activities you use will vary for each child, and will depend on whether a child is a sensory seeker, sensory avoider or both. Sometimes it takes a lot of trial and errors to find what will work best for your child, here are some ideas to help narrow down what a child may need.
Child that chews on clothing, pencils and/or other nonfood items - Many times when a child chews on nonfood items they are looking for oral input, try the following items - gum, chew tubes and/or an oral vibrators.
If a child cannot sit still, they need a sensory break of an activity like jumping jacks, pushups against a wall or carrying heavy items to the office.
A child the fidgets with his shoes to the point of wearing them in a short period of time - A bungee cord around the bottom of their child will give them a way to fidget with their feet but not ruin their shoes.
A child that needs tactile input will benefit from having velcro under their desk and/or having a fidget strip.
Weighted lap pads work best when used twice a day to help a child regulate, I usually suggest 10am and 2 pm. Also when a child is struggling with a certain subject.
If your child does not have a sensory diet in place, contact his/her OT and ask the OT to help you step one up before School starts up again. Many times when a child has a good sensory diet in place they come home
from school calm, whereas without a sensory diet they want to literally
bounce off furniture and walls.
In a few weeks I will be speaking about Sensory Diets & the Sensory Items I make in York Maine, feel free to send me a FB messages through my page Red on Autism if you would like more information or have any questions.
