Personalized Sensory Schedule / Sensory Diet
Just as your child requires a balanced food diet to remain fit and healthy, your child also requires a balanced amount of sensory information in his/her body each day to function optimally. Sometimes, your child might struggle to obtain and interpret information through the sensory systems in a way that allows him/her to remain focused and organized and respond optimally to environmental demands.
A sensory diet is an activity plan, carefully designed and customized by a certified occupational therapist. Based upon the principles of Sensory Integration Theory, it provides targeted sensory input of specific intensity and duration at designated intervals. A sensory diet aims to help your child self-regulate his/her behavior, attention, and activity levels in accordance with the task at hand and the social situation. Children whose sensory processing might be managed by a sensory diet include those who:
A sensory diet is an activity plan, carefully designed and customized by a certified occupational therapist. Based upon the principles of Sensory Integration Theory, it provides targeted sensory input of specific intensity and duration at designated intervals. A sensory diet aims to help your child self-regulate his/her behavior, attention, and activity levels in accordance with the task at hand and the social situation. Children whose sensory processing might be managed by a sensory diet include those who:
- Are very physically active
- Appear tired, lethargic, and day-dreamy
- Have difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep
- Are unable to settle down, particularly after being in a busy environment
- Have difficulty controlling impulses
- Are extremely rough when playing
- Have trouble modulating the tone of voice used
- Often misjudge personal space
Benefits of following a sensory diet may include:
- Easier transitions
- Fewer meltdowns
- Improved tolerance for challenging sensations and situations
- Increased cooperation and greater focus
How It Works:
- After analyzing information from The Sensory Profile™ 2, the therapist creates a daily schedule of sensory-based strategies for your child in the form of a customized Sensory Schedule / Sensory Diet to optimize use of your sensory space and equipment.
- Therapist emails the Sensory Schedule / Sensory Diet to parent.
