Sensory Diet

At this point, I feel like I must have told you about what Occupational Therapists call the sensory diet, but I searched my previous posts and I don’t think I have…forgive me.  This one is huge!

In today’s journal entry, Mikey makes a cozy nest in front of the fire.

Activities like this are fun for lots of kids, but when you have a child with sensory processing disorder or any type of sensory challenges, it’s more important because it helps them regulate their bodies.

The stereotype about people with autism is that they are avoidant of all sensory input. They want headphones and quiet and no touching and isolation.  This may be true for a small segment of the autistic population, but the reality is much more complex.

Let me share about Mikey as an example.  He tends more towards sensory seeking than aversion.  He actually likes being in environments with bright lights and loud sounds sometimes.  He likes deep pressure squeezes and the feeling of the water on him in the shower or the pool. He is totally welcoming of a huge dog laying right on his lap. He likes crunchy, salty snacks and cold, creamy ice cream with rainbow sprinkles. Swings and trampolines delight him and he’d like nothing better than to ride in a speedboat every day with the wind whipping through his hair. Not much like the stereotype, right?

Daily Dose

A sensory diet is working these types of things into the routine daily so that your child has a steady dose of sensory input.  Here are some items that are easy and healthy to incorporate into your child’s life if you think they might be seeking some extra input.

1. Snacks of crunchy carrots, pretzels, or apples
2. Weighted blankets or walking with a heavy backpack
3. Compression vests (get help from an OT with this one)
4. Vibrating stuffed animals
5. Chew tubes or necklaces made to be chewed (check with your OT)
6. Swings or trampolines (individual trampolines give more input than the larger ones)
7. Bath or shower time daily
8. Ball pits
9. Sensory play with putty or slime or sand
10. Movement like jumping jacks or touching toes and reaching for the sky
11. Eye stimulation from watching wind-up toys or spinning tops

Fun and Function

Fun and Function is an online store. I believe it was created by Occupational Therapists and I have never been unhappy with anything I have purchased there.  This store has been the source of many stocking stuffers, Easter egg fillers and general gifts over the years.  They really provide the gift of bodily regulation which keeps Mikey calm and on the right track.

Note: I am not a paid spokesperson for Fun and Function or any other company. If that ever changes, I’ll let you know so you’ll never have to guess.