A Sensory Diet (originally developed by Patricia Wilbarger) is a carefully designed, individualised activity plan that assists a child to stay focused and organised throughout the day. Click here to read more about what a sensory diet is.
Children, teens and adults who struggle to stay organised can benefit from a sensory diet. For a Sensory Diet to be as effective as it could be, it should be carefully designed by an occupational therapist who knows the specific child’s sensory profile and has the expert knowledge to be able to compile a sensory diet as part of a treatment program.
The below activities are therefore just a guideline and a starting point for parents to start implementing some sensory diet activities at home.
- Make a ‘sandwich’ with your child’s body – firmly press on your child’s legs, arms and back with a pillow or roll him/her up in a blanket.
- Push and pull – push the trolley in the shopping mall, push a toy wagon filled with heavy objects. Wipe the table or counters. Older children can help with vacuuming, hanging up washing, help wash windows.
- Wear a backpack with a few books in (not too heavy that the child has to bend forward to manage the weight).
- Jump – on a trampoline or play hop-scotch.
- Give a firm reassuring message.
- Allow the child to swing and spin.
- Use shaving foam and a sun-dried towel during bath time to enrich the tactile experience.
- Let them assist with cooking and baking by mixing, pouring and kneading.
- Incorporate chewy and crunchy foods in their diet (e.g. dried fruit, biltong, apples, and oat biscuits).
- Play listening games – try to identify the bird sounds or other background noises (refrigerator humming, traffic).
- Avoid too many visuals in his/her room, especially for sleep time.
The above activities do not need to take extra time in your day. An example of a sensory diet, incorporated in your daily life could be:
Morning:
Wake up by massaging feet or back
Eat crunchy cereal with a fruit and a protein for breakfast
Brush teeth with a vibrating toothbrush
Draw a hop-scotch pattern in the passage and every time the child walks in the passage he/she needs to jump according to the hopscotch. You can change the pattern on a weekly basis.
After school:
Push the grocery trolley or stroller or carry a backpack
Drink a fruit smoothie with a straw
Play with play-doh
Do animal walks (e.g. crab walking, donkey kicks)
Homework:
Sit at a desk and chair that is the correct height
Sit on a hot water bottle that has some air in it (no water)
Use various types of pencils, crayons, pens
Dinner:
Help with dinner preparations – chopping, mixing, etc.
Help set the table
Do some wrestling with dad after dinner
Before bed:
A warm bath with bubbles, shaving foam and calming oils
Dry with a sun-dried towel
Massage whole body with cream
Read a story
Sensory diets can be life changing, if the correct activity is applied at the correct time. Have fun in doing it!
You might want to read more about how the senses talk to the brain.
