A sensory diet is an individualised programme of sensory-based activities and strategies designed to provide the type of sensory input a child or young person needs to support regulation, participation and engagement throughout their day. Despite the name, a sensory diet has nothing to do with food; it considers how movement, touch, proprioception, vestibular input and other sensory experiences can be incorporated meaningfully into everyday routines.
Sensory strategies can be used both proactively and responsively. For example, if we know that a particular environment, transition or activity is likely to be overwhelming, appropriate sensory input may be introduced beforehand to support regulation and preparation. Equally, where a child needs additional sensory input to become more alert, organised or ready to participate, carefully selected activities can be incorporated into their routine.
At Connect, we recognise that a sensory diet cannot be effectively developed without understanding the child, their sensory profile and the environments in which they spend their time. We therefore work collaboratively with the child or young person, their family and education setting to develop strategies that are individualised, achievable and meaningful.
Our Occupational Therapist will consider the child's assessed sensory needs alongside how they function throughout their everyday routines. This can include home and school consultations and observations, enabling us to understand how sensory needs may change across different environments, activities and times of day. We consider factors such as:
The Occupational Therapist then develops an individualised sensory programme which identifies appropriate activities, strategies and environmental adaptations and provides guidance around when, where and how they should be used. Wherever possible, activities are selected with the child or young person rather than imposed upon them. We want sensory strategies to be meaningful, motivating and supportive, helping the individual develop greater awareness of what their body needs over time.
A sensory diet is not designed to be something that happens only during a designated "sensory time". Strategies should be incorporated naturally into the child's home, school and everyday routines. Parents, carers and education staff therefore play an important role in facilitating the programme, with guidance and support from the Occupational Therapist. We work collaboratively with the adults around the child so they understand not only what to offer, but why a particular strategy has been recommended and what responses to look for.
Sensory needs are not static. A strategy that is helpful at one point may become less effective as the child develops, their environment changes or they become better able to recognise and communicate their own needs. Our sensory diet programmes are therefore reviewed termly, where appropriate. Reviews provide an opportunity for the Occupational Therapist to discuss and observe how the programme is working, identify positive or negative changes in regulation and participation, and consider feedback from the child, family and education team. Activities, frequency, timing, equipment and environmental strategies can then be adapted, progressed or removed according to the child's current presentation and functional needs.
Our longer-term aim is not simply for adults to deliver a programme to a child. Wherever developmentally appropriate, we want children and young people to develop greater understanding of their own sensory needs, recognise what supports them and increasingly advocate for and access the strategies that help them participate in everyday life.
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