In schools, many teachers encounter students grappling with sensory processing challenges, which can manifest as attention and focus issues that impede learning. Classrooms are inherently bustling environments, and when sensory sensitivities compromise a student's ability to pay attention, focus, self-regulate, and interact effectively, their academic progress can suffer. Sensory issues often underlie impaired functioning in the classroom, and a sensory diet tailored to the classroom setting can be a helpful intervention for some children.
For students undergoing therapy, incorporating sensory activities can be a beneficial strategy for navigating the school day. Therapists may design sensory diets comprised of specific activities tailored to each child's unique needs. Therapists can leverage the sensory diet activities outlined below to expand their repertoire of strategies within the school environment.
Note: The activities described herein are intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as treatment recommendations.
Understanding Sensory Processing
Every moment of every day, individuals are bombarded with sensory information, which is received through the body and interpreted by the brain. The brain then signals the nervous system whether the sensory input poses a threat. Sensory processing is unique to each individual, with everyone possessing eight sensory systems: the five primary senses and three hidden senses.
The Eight Sensory Systems
- Visual System: This system encompasses not just eyesight but also the brain's interpretation of visual information, enabling safe navigation, balance maintenance, object localization, and performance of daily self-care tasks.
- Auditory System: This system involves hearing and the brain's interpretation of auditory information, facilitating conversation, podcast listening, and safety awareness.
- Tactile System: Tactile receptors throughout the body and mouth detect danger, aid in environmental understanding (e.g., clothing), and assist in locating objects.
- Olfactory System: Directly connected to the gustatory system, the olfactory system aids in detecting danger and is closely linked to memory and emotions.
- Gustatory System: Linked to the olfactory system, the gustatory system processes texture, flavor, and temperature.
- Proprioceptive System: Receptors in joints and muscles provide information about body position and movement, enabling the understanding of force exertion and promoting a calming effect on the nervous system through heavy work and deep pressure.
- Vestibular System: Located in the inner ears, the vestibular system is activated by head movements and is connected to the visual system. It influences balance, spatial orientation, and coordination. Vestibular input can be alerting (spinning, jumping) or calming (slow linear swinging).
- Interoceptive System: This system involves internal processing, including hunger, thirst, bathroom needs, sickness, fatigue, and emotional regulation.
Sensory Processing Challenges
Successful sensory processing relies on the efficient functioning of all eight sensory systems, enabling individuals to navigate their day effectively. Challenges arise when signals between the body and brain become disrupted, a common occurrence in children diagnosed with autism, ADHD, or other learning disabilities or developmental delays. Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is not yet recognized in the DSM-5 but is characterized by consistent, daily difficulties that affect the entire family.
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Individuals with sensory processing challenges may exhibit over-responsiveness or under-responsiveness to various sensory inputs, with difficulties often spanning multiple sensory systems. It is crucial to understand both one's own and a child's sensory preferences to provide appropriate support.
Creating a Sensory Diet
A sensory diet is a personalized plan of sensory activities designed to help children with sensory processing issues stay focused, calm, and organized throughout the day. It is a set of physical activities that assist children in maintaining attention and serenity at the appropriate times and may be utilized in conjunction with sensory integration therapy.
Key Components of a Sensory Diet
- Meeting Sensory Threshold: Begin by providing sensory input that aligns with the child's sensory preferences and meets their sensory threshold.
- Personalization: Recognize that sensory diets are highly individualized, and activities that benefit one child may not suit another.
- Timing: Determine the optimal timing for the sensory diet, whether it's a morning routine to promote alertness or an afternoon routine to facilitate calmness after a busy day.
- Activity Selection: Choose activities that address the child's specific sensory needs, incorporating a variety of inputs.
- Monitoring: Closely observe the child for signs of overstimulation or negative reactions, adjusting the activities accordingly.
- Positive Reinforcement: Use positive language and explanations to encourage the child's participation and understanding of the sensory diet.
- Tracking: Keep track of how your youngster feels before and after each activity. It’s best to stop an activity if your kid isn’t enjoying it. Patterns may develop if you use the worksheet on a regular basis. You’ll notice the kind of sensory input your youngster requires (visual, tactile, auditory, movement, heavy work, or oral motor) and at what time of the day.
Sample Sensory Diet Activities
The following activities can be incorporated into a sensory diet to address various sensory needs:
Proprioceptive Input (Body Awareness)
- Heavy Work: Activities involving pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying heavy objects (including one's own weight).
- Pushing and pulling activities
- Carrying weighted objects
- Jumping
- Heavy lifting
- Pushing, pulling, and carrying
- Deep Pressure: Activities that provide firm, reassuring pressure to the body.
- Firm massages
- Weighted vests or lap pads
- Light weights in pockets
Vestibular Input (Movement)
- Swinging: Use a swing in the backyard or at a local park. Encourage swinging back and forth, side to side, and in circular motions. Add challenges like reaching for objects or tossing a ball.
- Spinning: Activities that stimulate the vestibular system through rotation.
- Using a Sit n’ Spin or Dizzy Disc Jr.
- Spinning in an office chair
- Running in circles
- Riding a carousel
- Inversion: Activities that involve hanging upside down.
- Rolling: Movements that combine swinging and rolling.
Tactile Input (Touch)
- Textured Play: Activities involving various textures to stimulate the tactile sense.
- Playing with foamy soap or shaving cream (add sand for extra texture)
- Finger painting
- Playing with glitter glue
- Mixing cookie dough or cake batter
- Playing in a sandbox (or a bin filled with dry beans, rice, or other materials and small toys)
- Using Play-Doh, Model Magic, or Sculpey
- Nature Exploration: Activities that involve interacting with natural elements.
- Walking barefoot in grass, sand, or dirt
- Dress-Up: Playing dress-up with various fabrics and textures.
- Tactile Hobbies: Engaging in hobbies that involve tactile stimulation.
- Sculpting
- Sewing
- Weaving
- Crocheting
- Knitting
- Creating scrapbooks
- Using sandpaper for woodworking projects
Auditory Input (Sound)
- Nature Sounds: Listening to natural sounds to promote relaxation and focus.
- Going to the beach
- Listening to rain or thunder
- Listening to natural sound recordings (rain, ocean waves, bird songs)
- Listening Games: Engaging in activities that require focused listening.
- Calming Music: Listening to music that promotes calm and focus.
- Musicianship: Encouraging musical expression through playing instruments or singing.
- Controlled Sounds: Giving the child control over sounds to reduce auditory sensitivity.
- Turning on the vacuum cleaner
- Popping balloons after a party
- Pleasant Sounds: Creating pleasant auditory environments.
Visual Input (Sight)
- Visual Simplification: Reducing visual clutter to create a calming environment.
- Hiding clutter in bins or boxes
- Using solid-colored rugs
- Seating Arrangement: Optimizing seating arrangements to minimize distractions.
- Sitting at the front of the classroom
- Sitting away from windows
- Sitting at the back of the room to monitor other students
- Color Sensitivity: Using colors strategically to create desired effects.
Olfactory Input (Smell)
- Scent Exploration: Exploring scents to find those that promote calm or alertness.
- Vanilla and rose (calming)
- Peppermint and citrus (alerting)
- Scent Play: Engaging in activities that involve smelling different scents.
- Pleasant Scents: Using pleasant scents in daily routines.
- Vanilla soap and bath oils
- Vanilla candles or essential oils
Taste Input (Taste)
- Strong Tastes: Giving strong-tasting foods to stimulate the mouth.
- Taste Games: Engaging in activities that involve tasting different flavors.
- Food Preparation: Involving the child in food preparation to increase willingness to try new foods.
- Food Play: Allowing the child to play with food to explore textures and tastes.
Additional Activities:
- Swinging: Provides vestibular input, aiding balance and coordination.
- Jumping on a Trampoline: Offers proprioceptive input, promoting organization and grounding.
- Weighted Blankets: Provides deep pressure input, fostering relaxation and sleep.
- Therapy Ball: Provides vestibular and proprioceptive input, improving body awareness and coordination.
- Obstacle Course: Provides diverse sensory inputs, enhancing motor planning, coordination, and sensory integration.
- Sensory Bins: Offers tactile stimulation and fine motor skill development.
- Play Dough: Provides tactile and proprioceptive input, promoting calmness.
- Water Play: Offers soothing and engaging sensory experiences.
- Music: Regulates mood and focus through auditory input.
- Chewing Gum/Crunchy Snacks: Provides oral sensory input, promoting calmness and focus.
- Hugs: Provides deep-pressure, fostering security and grounding.
- Jumping Jacks: Provides proprioceptive input, regulating energy levels.
- Fidget Toys: Provides subtle sensory input, enhancing focus.
- Sensory Brush: Provides tactile input, aiding sensory regulation.
- Balance Board: Enhances vestibular input, improving balance.
- Nature Walks: Provides diverse sensory inputs, promoting calmness.
- Visual Timers: Aids understanding of time and transitions, providing visual input.
- Pleasant Scents: Promotes relaxation through olfactory input.
- Stretching: Provides proprioceptive input, enhancing body awareness.
- Blowing Bubbles: Provides visual and tactile input, promoting fun and engagement.
Sample Sensory Diet
Here is a sample sensory diet, created for a second grade child with sensory processing disorder:
- Spin on Dizzy Disc Jr. (as directed)
- Mini-trampoline (as directed)
Integrating Sensory Diet Activities into the Classroom
Sensory diet activities can be seamlessly integrated into the school environment using readily available classroom materials.
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- "Simon Says": Engage the entire class in a game of "Simon Says" to incorporate movement and body awareness.
- Classroom Sensory Strategy Toolkit: Utilize printable resources and handouts to explain sensory strategies and advocate for children's needs.
Importance of Professional Guidance
It is strongly recommended to collaborate with an occupational therapist who possesses expertise in sensory processing issues. Occupational therapists can assess a child's unique sensory needs and create a personalized sensory diet plan to support their development.
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