The design of the sensory diet will depend on the type of problem presented, where the intervention(s) will be implemented and the purpose of the interventions. The first step in developing a sensory diet involves some collaboration with the individuals in a personÕs environment as well as the individual himself, whenever possible. It is important to consider implementing the ÒdietÓ across the environments within which the person is functioning. Seeking the help of an occupational therapist who is knowledgeable about sensory processing is recommended.

The level of knowledge regarding sensory processing varies among individuals. In some situations the development of a sensory diet may require a therapist with knowledge of specific sensory processing theories. Some of the activities may appear to be simple on the surface, but could, in fact, have powerful effects on behavior and an individual’s nervous system. Often special training is required in order to better understand which intervention strategies require close supervision when being implemented.

In order to decide which types of items should be included in an individual’s sensory diet some form of sensory evaluation(s) should be conducted that include a sensory history. It is important to get a clear picture as to which types of “dietary needs” are present and when to address these needs in order for the individual to receive the most benefit. Collaborating with the people in an individual’s environment can be helpful when putting together what a typical day might look like for a child in order to determine patterns of behavior that may be affected by input into various sensory systems. We want to try to develop an accurate picture of the sights, sounds, and activities an individual might encounter throughout the day. There are a variety of sensory history forms that have been developed that may be helpful when gathering this information (Click here to review sensory history).

All people have unique sensory needs. When planning a sensory diet for someone it is important to choose activities or interventions that will specifically meet the unique needs of that person. Some activities will have longer lasting effects on the nervous system. This should be taken into consideration when adding these types of activities to someone’s “diet”. Activities should be carefully timed or spread out during the day and at key times during the day. A good sensory diet should include combinations of alerting, calming, and organizing activities. The order of the activities will depend on the needs of the child.

There may be certain times each day when a “sensory diet” or the implementation of some sensory strategies may help an individual perform routine daily activities such as bedtime, mealtimes, or transitions. Sometimes it is helpful to add a few pieces of equipment to the home or school program that can be made available at intervals throughout the day. It may also be beneficial to examine various environments and eliminate or reduce disruptions whenever possible. Adjustments may need to be made to the “sensory diet” just as they are in a nutritional diet. Just as too much of one type of food may cause our stomachs to become upset, too much or too little input to our sensory system(s) may cause an adverse reaction in our nervous system.

A table in the article written by Victoria L. Nackley, OTR/L, offers some suggestions of strategies that might be implemented throughout various activities in a child’s day that might help address some specific sensory issues (Click here to see the article). Please use these strategies as ideas to begin thinking about ways to develop activities that might be included in a child’s “sensory diet”. These ideas look at some of the common sensory system areas where children frequently exhibit difficulty as well as the multiple environments in which they might occur. It is suggested that a person with specific knowledge of the sensory systems be consulted as some precautions may be necessary when implementing some of these strategies.

In addition to some of the accommodations and adaptations that we make to develop an appropriate “sensory diet” for an individual, it might also be helpful to look at the individual’s current environment(s). There may be some environmental factors that can be changed or adapted in some way that will have a significant effect on the type of sensory input a child is experiencing. Sometimes a slight change in a child’s environment will make that individual’s experience in that environment much more tolerable and even enjoyable. Take time to stop and look at an individual’s environment from a sensory perspective. Play “detective” and try to figure out what kinds of sensory input the child is experiencing. Make some changes to those experiences through some simple environmental modifications to see if there are any changes in the child’s reactions or behaviors within the environment.