Developing a Sensory Diet

This article was adapted from the Kids on the Move Fall/Winter 2012 newsletter.

Just as your child needs food throughout the course of the day, he needs a variety of sensory input, and opportunities for getting away from stimulation.  A "sensory diet" is a carefully designed, personalized activity plan the provides the sensory input a person needs to stay focused and organized throughout the day.  In the same way that you jiggle your knee or chew gum to stay awake or soak in a hot tub to unwind, children need to engage in stabilizing, focusing activities, too.  Infants, young children, teens, and adults with mild to severe sensory issues can all benefit form a personalized sensory diet.

Each child has a unique set of sensory needs.  Generally a child whose nervous system is causing her to be hyperactive needs more calming input, while the child who is more underactive or sluggish needs more arousing input.

Proprioception
Proprioceptive input (sensations from joint, muscles, and connective tissues that lead to body awareness) can be obtained by lifting, pushing and pulling heavy objects, including one's own weight.  A child can also stimulate the proprioceptive sense by engaging in activities that push joints together such as pushing something heavy or pull joints apart like hanging from monkey bars.

Some easy ways to increase your child's proprioceptive input are to:
Make a body "burrito" or "sandwich".  Firmly press on your child's arms, legs, and back with pillows or make a "burrito" by rolling her up in a blanket.

Push and pull.  A toddler or preschooler can push her own stroller, and may even be able to push a stroller or cart filled with weighted objects such as groceries.

Carry that weight. Your child can wear a backpack or fanny pack filled with toys (not too heavy!).

Mini Tramp. Your child can jump on a trampoline in the home prior to mealtime or quiet time to help provide the movement and deep input they seem to be seeking.  This is a better option for calming than an outdoor tramp as it is available whenever the child needs the input.

Vestibular
Vestibular input is the sense of movement, centered in the inner ear.  Any type of movement will stimulate the vestibular receptors, but spinning, swinging, and hanging upside down provide the most intense, longest lasting input.

Here are some easy ways to increase your child's vestibular input:
Swing.  Encourage her to swing on playground swings, trying various types of swings and movements, such as front to back and side to side.

Spin.  Have him spin using a Sit n' Spin, Dizzy Disc Jr. or office chair.  Let her run in circles and ride a carousel.  Hold your child's arm and spin in a circle as he lifts off the ground or play airplane by holding one of his arms and the leg on the same side of his body as you spin in place (only if he does not have low muscle tone).

Swinging or pulling child in a blanket.  A great way to aid calming within the home environment.  To help the child understand when the activity will be over sing the ABC's or other common song and when the song is done so is the swinging.

Bouncing on an exercise ball.

Tactile
The tactile sense detects light touch, deep pressure, texture, temperature, vibration, and pain.  This includes both the skin covering your body and the skin lining the inside of your mouth.  Oral tactile issues can contribute to picky eating and feeding difficulties.

Here are some easy ways to increase your child's tactile input:
Messy play with textures.  Have her play with foamy soap or shaving cream, and add sand for extra texture.  Have her finger paint, play with glitter glue, mix cookie dough and cake batter, and so on.  Let your child use the playground sandbox or create your own at home, filling a bin with dry beans and rice or other materials and small toys.  Cover and store the bin for future use.

Use child-friendly modeling material such as Play-Doh, Model Magic, and Sculpey (the classic Play-Doh Fun Factory provides excellent proprioceptive input as well).  Never force a child who is unwilling to touch "yucky" substances.  Let him use a paintbrush, stick or even a toy for cautious exploration.

Dress up.  Dress up in fun costumes to get use to the feel of unfamiliar clothing.

Check out www.familyfun.com for lots of ideas the whole family may enjoy.