What is Sensory Diet?
A sensory diet is a set of activities that make up a sensory strategy and are appropriate for an individual’s needs. These are specific and individualized activities that are scheduled into a child’s day and are used to assist with regulation of activity levels, attention, and adaptive responses. It has nothing to do with food!
Why use a sensory diet?
It can be very motivating for a child and help them participate in activities. It's a means to adjust sensory input in relation to an individual’s needs. Based on the the child, we will prescribe some activities to incorporate into your routine. As we evaluate what activities are meaningful and motivating for your child, we will curate a child centered approach that is unique to your child.
Just as a healthy diet consists of a spectrum of foods, a sensory diet is a balanced set of sensory information that allows an individual to function. A person cannot survive on broccoli alone. Similarly, a child cannot thrive with only one type of sensory activity.
This goes for adults and children alike; we all need different types of input in order to feel balanced; part of the reason quarantine restrictions are not great for most individuals. Our bodies and minds instinctively know that varying sensory input allows us to function appropriately. However; children may have a harder time regulating and identifying what their bodies need. That's when OT's come in.
Studies support the use of active participation in multi-sensory activities for at least 90 minutes per week to improve occupational performance (Fazlioglu &Baran, 2008; Thompson, 2011; Woo & Leon, 2013; Wuang, Wang, Huang, & Su2010).
GOALS OF A SENSORY DIET ARE TO:
Provide the child with predictable sensory information which helps organize the central nervous system. Support social engagement, self-regulation, behavior organization, perceived competence, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Inhibit and/or improve modulation of sensation within daily routines and environments. Assist the child in processing a more organized response to sensory stimuli.
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