Why naturally incorporating sensory activities in to the day is best...the easy sensory diet!
Written By: Angie Voss, OTR
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I no longer believe a scheduled and rigid sensory diet/home program is the best approach to helping our children with sensory differences...nor for any child for that matter. About 8 years ago I finally realized as an OT I was different. I thought outside of the box. I questioned everything...everything I was taught back in college a million years ago, in my internships, and by senior OTs in the clinic setting. Don't get me wrong...almost all of it I still practice and stand behind today, especially the theory and roots of sensory integration, but a few things I have completely changed how I teach to parents.
Back in the day, I preached and pushed a scheduled sensory diet. Why? Because as an OT that is what I was taught to do, and I didn't question it. But over the years, I kept hearing the SAME thing from parents...
"I don't know how I am going to fit this in to the day."
"My child is resisting the whole thing, and it is stressing us all out."
"This takes way too much energy to get this all done everyday."
(Or different variations of the above)
Important note: If your child receives sensory based OT, it is absolutely, without a doubt, beneficial for the therapist to guide you and teach you about your child's specific sensory needs and sensory systems...providing you with activity suggestions and sensory tools and strategies for at home, school, and in the community. I will never change my mind on this part.
Even More Important Note: Living a sensory enriched life is critical and essential for every single one of us....and even more important for a child with sensory differences. Sensory input (a sensory diet) with a focus on the 3 power sensations is essential for all aspects of development as well as self-regulation throughout our lives. No one is exempt from needing a sensory diet every single day of their lives!
The brain and nervous system responds best to an environment set up with various types of sensory tools that provide different forms of sensory input and letting the child access these different tools as needed throughout the day. No specific amount of time, in no specific order. The brain and nervous system is constantly processing sensory input and changing on a minute by minute basis and only that brain (child) knows what it needs at any given moment. So setting up a strict routine or schedule can actually be a disservice. AND the most important part is in the carry over and long term application of all of this...when it is a natural part of the day and becomes a meaningful part of the daily routine (not a strict schedule) you will be more successful! I have heard SO many times from parents that the child resists the activities...and that is because the brain didn't need it at that time, and who wants to be forced in to things all day long in the first place?
What is the number one reason I don't recommend a scheduled sensory diet any more???
Because it lasts for about 3 days.
Back in the day, I preached and pushed a scheduled sensory diet. Why? Because as an OT that is what I was taught to do, and I didn't question it. But over the years, I kept hearing the SAME thing from parents...
"I don't know how I am going to fit this in to the day."
"My child is resisting the whole thing, and it is stressing us all out."
"This takes way too much energy to get this all done everyday."
(Or different variations of the above)
Important note: If your child receives sensory based OT, it is absolutely, without a doubt, beneficial for the therapist to guide you and teach you about your child's specific sensory needs and sensory systems...providing you with activity suggestions and sensory tools and strategies for at home, school, and in the community. I will never change my mind on this part.
Even More Important Note: Living a sensory enriched life is critical and essential for every single one of us....and even more important for a child with sensory differences. Sensory input (a sensory diet) with a focus on the 3 power sensations is essential for all aspects of development as well as self-regulation throughout our lives. No one is exempt from needing a sensory diet every single day of their lives!
The brain and nervous system responds best to an environment set up with various types of sensory tools that provide different forms of sensory input and letting the child access these different tools as needed throughout the day. No specific amount of time, in no specific order. The brain and nervous system is constantly processing sensory input and changing on a minute by minute basis and only that brain (child) knows what it needs at any given moment. So setting up a strict routine or schedule can actually be a disservice. AND the most important part is in the carry over and long term application of all of this...when it is a natural part of the day and becomes a meaningful part of the daily routine (not a strict schedule) you will be more successful! I have heard SO many times from parents that the child resists the activities...and that is because the brain didn't need it at that time, and who wants to be forced in to things all day long in the first place?
What is the number one reason I don't recommend a scheduled sensory diet any more???
Because it lasts for about 3 days.
Here are 4 more reasons why naturally incorporating sensory activities in to the day is best...
- It will significantly increase your success and long term carryover...this is simply human nature. It should not be stressful. It should be fun, easy, and not forced!
- The theory behind sensory integration is child led and directed, and the brain responds best to purposeful and meaningful activities. A scheduled and rigid sensory diet goes directly against this concept.
- You can naturally incorporate tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive activities in to just about anything you do! (Besides sitting on your rear end and holding or looking at a screen)
- Guiding and encouraging your child to seek out what their nervous system needs at any given moment in a day is an essential life skill that will be utilized every day for an entire life span.
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