A sensory diet is a treatment that can help kids with sensory processing issues. It includes a series of physical activities your child can do at home. … An occupational therapist can design a sensory diet routine.
Sample Sensory Diet
Here is a sample sensory diet, created for a second grade child with sensory processing disorder. We’ve used the annoying term “as directed” to avoid providing a cookbook recipe.
-Activities must be individualized for each child and modified frequently to meet changing needs.
-A separate program was worked out for this child with the school, including frequent movement breaks, an inflatable seat cushion for wiggling while remaining seated, and providing crunchy/chewy oral comfort snacks at handwriting time.
- In the Morning
Massage feet and back to help wake up
-Listen to recommended therapeutic listening CD
Use vibrating toothbrush and/or vibrating hairbrush
-Eat crunchy cereal with fruit and some protein
-Spin on Dizzy Disc Jr. as directed by your OT or PT
Jump on mini-trampoline as directed
- After school
-Go to playground for at least 30 minutes
-Push grocery cart or stroller
-Spinning as directed
Mini – trampoline. Add variety: have him play catch or toss toys into a basket while jumping.
-Massage feet to “reorganize,” use therapy putty, make “body sandwiches,” wheelbarrow walk
-Do ball exercises as directed
-Listen to therapeutic listening CD
-Oral work — sucks thick liquids through a straw, eat crunchy and chewy snacks, or chew gum before and/or during table top activities
- At dinnertime
-Help with cooking, mixing, chopping, etc.
-Help set table, using two hands to carry and balance a tray
-Provide crunchy and chewy foods
- At night
Family time: clay projects, painting projects, etc.
-Warm bath with bubbles and calming essential oil
-Massage during reading time