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ResourcesforCreatingSensoryDiets

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ResourcesforCreatingSensoryDiets
June5,2015ByHeatherGreutman 4Comments

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Affiliate links are used below to promote products I love and enjoy. Please see my
disclosurepolicyformoredetails.

Inthelastpostwelookedatthebasicideabehindwhatasensorydietis,whocancreateoneand
who they are helpful for. Today I wanted to share some resources for creating sensory diets for
therapists,parents,andteachers.

http://www.growinghandsonkids.com/resourcesforcreatingsensorydiets.html

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Aswetalkedabout,anOccupationalTherapistwhohasbeentrainedinsensoryprocessingand
sensory related therapies is the best person to develop and create a sensory diet for your child.
http://www.growinghandsonkids.com/resourcesforcreatingsensorydiets.html

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However, all children also benefit from sensory breaks or brain breaks throughout their day, not
justthosewhoneedaformalizedsensorydiet.
Iamgoingtoshareresourcesforeachtohelpyougetstartedoncreatingsensorydietsinyour
practice,athomeorintheclassroom.

CreatingSensoryDietsforTherapists
Parentsandteachers,dontskipthissectioneither.Thisisgoodinformationtoknowifyou
areworkingwithatherapisttocreateasensorydietforyourchild.
Typically a therapist will begin by evaluating your child for sensory processing concerns. This is
when you need to have very detailed information for the therapist on how your child reacts and
respondstodifferentthingsthroughouttheirday.
Thetherapistwilloftendotheirownobservation,aswellasgiveyouasensoryscreeningtooltofill
outonyourchild.Allofthisinformationisthenputtogetherandthetherapistwillgivetheiropinion
basedonallthatinformation.
Once the therapist has an idea on what sensory processing issues your child is facing they can
begin to develop strategies and a sensory diet to help your child focus and function throughout
theirday.
Rememberthegoalofasensorydietistohelpfindthatoptionallevelofarousalforyourchild.So
whether your child has sensory overload or low arousal, there is many different sensory options
thatcanhelp.
Vestibularandproprioceptiveinputaretypicallythefirst2sensorysystemsatherapistwilladdress
whencreatingasensorydiet.Thesetwosystemsaretheprimaryorganizersforyourchildsbrain
and body. Think big, gross motor movements, lots of pushing, pulling, spinning, bouncing,
changingheadpositionsetc.
ResourcesforVestibularandProprioceptiveInput:
HowtheVestibularSystemAffectsBehavior
10BrainBreakActivitiesforKids
TheUltimateGuidetoBrainBreaks
SensoryProcessingProprioceptionTheInspiredTreehouse
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SensoryProcessingTheVestibularSystemTheInspiredTreehouse
SensoryProcessingDisorderResourcesMamaOT
After addressing these two systems, your therapist will look at all the other sensory systems
including tactile, auditory, smell and taste, sight, seating and floor time issues, writing and fine
motorskills,mealsandsnacks,transitionsetc.Allofthesemaybeaddresseddependingonyour
childsindividualsensoryprocessingdifficulties.

Visualschedulesforsensorydietsareoftenveryhelpful.Herearesomeresourcesforthat.
BoardMakerComputersoftwarewithtonsofvisualpicturesforschedules
SensationalBrainBrainWorks
SticKids
PECS
Do2Learn
SensoryProcessingTherapytooltohelpparentsmanagesensorydiet&homeprograms
SensoryTreatLtdiPhoneappforcreatingvisualsensorydiets.Canbeusedbytherapists,
parents,orteachers.

Creating Sensory Diets for Parents &

Teachers
For parents and teachers, it is important to remember to follow through with all the sensory diet
protocols your therapist sets up for you. Carry over into home and school will give you the best
outcomeswhenworkingwithasensorydiet.ConsistencyisKEY!Withoutityouwontbeableto
knowifthesensorydietisreallyworkingornot.
Itisalsoimportanttorememberthatsensorydietsarenotaonetimefixallsolution.Youwillneed
to work closely with your therapist to continue to tweak and add or take away items from your
childssensorydietuntilyoufindtherightcombination.
http://www.growinghandsonkids.com/resourcesforcreatingsensorydiets.html

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Butalsorememberthatwhatmayworkforacoupleweeksmaynotworkafterawhile.Thisiswhy
communicationwithyourchildstherapistandteacherisSOimportant.
Creatingasensoryareaorroominyourhomeorschool is a great way to get started. Having a
varietyofsensorytoyssuchasfidgets,chewingitems, dim lighting, etc. are important parts of a
sensoryroom.
Also planning ahead and having an idea of what types of input or transitions sets your childs
sensoryprocessingbehavioroffandhavingwaystohelpthemcopeandtransitionareimportant
for you to recognize. Have a routine so your child knows what to expect for the day is definitely
helpful.
Visualschedulesareveryhelpfulforthisandhereareafewresourcesforthat:
FreeprintabledailyscheduleforkidsAndNextComesL
CommunicationBoardusingthePECSsystemByStephanieLynn
AlsoanyofthelinksIsharedaboveinthetherapistsectionforvisualschedules.

Therearereallysomanyresourcesouttherethatthispostcouldgoonandon.Butthisisagood
startingpointforcreatingsensorydietsinyourhomeorclassroom.Remembertoalwaysconsult
withyourtherapistwhendevelopingandcreatingsensorydiets.
Alsorememberthattypicalkidsneedsensorybreakstoo,manyoftheseresourceswillbehelpful
forincludingthoseinyourchildsday.
Formorereadingonsensoryprocessingandhowyoucanhelpanychild,herearealistofbooksI
recommend.

SensoryProcessingResources
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SensoryProcessing101
$21.96 $29.99

RaisingaSensorySmart
Child:TheDefinitive
Hand
$11.80 $17.00

(71)

EverydayGamesfor
SensoryProcessing
Disorder:10
$11.50 $15.99

UnderstandingYourChild's
SensorySignals
$5.99

(135)

101GamesandActivities
forChildrenWithAutism,
Asp
$9.93 $19.00

(55)

(239)

TheSensoryChildGets
Organized:Proven
System
$15.33 $15.99

(87)
All

(41)

SearchAmazon

TheOutofSyncChild:
RecognizingandCoping
wi
$11.19 $15.95

(321)

TheOutofSyncChildHas
Fun,RevisedEdition:
Activit
$11.80 $17.00

(128)
Go
AdsbyAmazon

YoucanalsofollowmyOccupationalTherapytipsboardformoreOTrelatedadviceandarticles.

Heather|GrowingHandsOnKids
OccupationalTherapyTips

FollowOn

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YouMayAlsoLike:

Whatisasensory
diet?

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Sharingwith:TheJennyEvolution,HomeschoolCreations,LivingMontessoriNow,ABCCreative
Learning,HipHomeschoolMoms,3BoysandaDog

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z

FiledUnder:OccupationalTherapyTips,SpecialNeeds
TaggedWith:ChildBehaviors,ForParents,ForTeachers,ForTherapists,Sensory

Disclaimer:HeatherGreutmanisaCertifiedOccupationalTherapyAssistant.Theadviceinthese
tipsarenottoreplacemedicaladvicefromaphysicianoryourpediatrician.Pleaseconsulttheir
adviceifyoususpectanymedicalordevelopmentalissueswithyourchild.Thesetipsdonot
replacetherelationshipbetweentherapistandclientinaoneononetreatmentsessionwitha
individualizedtreatmentplanbasedontheirprofessionalevaluation.
Allactivitiesaredesignedforcompleteadultsupervision.Pleaseuseyourownjudgementwith
yourchildanddonotprovideobjectsthatcouldposeachokinghazardtoyoungchildren.Never
leaveachildunattendedduringtheseactivities.Pleasebeawareofandfollowallage
recommendationsonallproductsusedintheseactivities.GrowingHandsOnKidsisnotliablefor
anyinjurywhenreplicatinganyoftheactivitiesfoundonthisblog.

Comments
Emmasays
June6,2015at12:28pm
ThisisveryhelpfulIhadntheardofasensorydietbefore.Ijustwishallteachersweremore
opentotheidea!
Reply

HeatherGreutmansays
June13,2015at6:22am
ThanksEmma.Yes,everyoneneedstobeonboardforsensorydietstoreallywork.
http://www.growinghandsonkids.com/resourcesforcreatingsensorydiets.html

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Reply

Natasha@AnxiousToddlerssays
June9,2015at9:25am
Whatagreatlistofresources!Iwillbookmarkforuseinmychildtherapypractice.Thanks!!
Reply

HeatherGreutmansays
June13,2015at6:20am
WonderfulNatasha,gladitwashelpfulforyou!
Reply

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