Using a Sensory Diet

How we process environmental and internal information has a major impact on our feelings, thoughts and actions. All children need sensory input and experiences to grow and learn, but this is even more crucial for the child with sensory integration dysfunction. Using the principles of sensory integration an occupational therapist may incorporate meaningful activities into a child’s day that will provide specific sensory input to assist in his or her ability to participate and learn. Although direct therapeutic intervention is often a key component in the process, implementing a sensory diet (Wilbarger, 1971, 1984) can address a child’s sensory needs throughout the day. A sensory diet is a planned and scheduled activity program. It provides a child with opportunities to receive sensory input at various intervals throughout the day, allowing him to participate more fully in the activities of his daily life. It may be implemented by an occupational therapist, a classroom teacher, a paraprofessional, or a parent. The program is designed and developed specifically to meet the needs of each child’s nervous system. Every child’s sensory needs are different so each child’s sensory diet will be different.

The principles of a sensory diet are similar to those used to describe a nutritional diet. Most people understand that a nutritional diet usually involves three balanced meals each day and maybe a snack or two. In order to plan for balanced meals a basic knowledge about the food groups and their contribution to a meal is necessary. A similar type of knowledge is necessary in order to understand an individual’s sensory needs. It is important to understand the individual sensory systems and how these systems interact with one another (Click here to review sensory systems). This is imperative in order to know which combinations or types of sensory input will be most beneficial for a student as well as knowing when sensory input is most helpful throughout the day. Some activities have short term effects on our systems while others may have longer lasting effects on behavior or performance.

The components of a sensory diet can be used as a way to understand how the sensory systems can influence typical and disordered behavior. Helping teachers, parents, and individuals understand and become more aware of certain sensory-based behaviors may lead to changes in behavior. Once it is understood how the sensory systems are impacting an individualÕs behavior it is then possible to develop intervention strategies based on this concept. An adequate sensory diet is important for anyone to function well in their environment, but it is extremely important for those who experience some type of sensory dysfunction.

A sensory diet can be incorporated into all aspects of personÕs daily life within a variety of settings. Strategies may be implemented in a home setting as well as in places of employment and schools. Providing an individual with a sensory diet may be very important to the prevention of behavior problems and lead to an individualÕs increased abilities to function well within his school or home environment.