April 6 Sensory Tip- What Is s Sensory Diet

When a child has symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) the parents are often referred to an Occupational Therapist trained to help such a child. Parents are in the best position to observe and note their child’s behavior. Therefore, they should keep a daily journal of their child’s reactions as this will be of great value for the Occupational Therapist.

Each child is different and has different needs that vary during the day. If the Occupational Therapist determines that a Sensory Diet (coined by OT Patricia Wilbarger) would benefit your child, it will be carefully designed to meet his particular needs. Then you will implement these personalized activities or accommodations at home varying them and adjusting them to meet the sensory needs of your child on that particular day or even hour!

Some examples of activities in a Sensory Diet for smell/taste/oral comforts could be:

*Sniff spices and herbs

*Explore tastes: sweet, salty, sour, spicy, bitter

*Explore textures: crunchy, creamy, chewy, lumpy

*Use age appropriate “chewy”

 Eh! Our chewable Kid Companions Chewelry are an ingredient in the Sensory Diets! These Canadian made chewies are safe to place in mouth (no toxic materials, no breakaway pieces). The Kid Companions have a CPSIA compliance certificate that proves their safety. But best of all they have pleasurable textures, hard and rubbery to satisfy the urge to chew or bite.

Does your child find comfort in his Sensory Diet?