One important Occupational Therapy intervention strategy is the sensory diet especially if your child has sensory processing issues. A sensory diet is a planned activity program designed to meet your child's specific sensory needs. This approach provides a "just right:" combination of input to achieve and maintain optimal levels of arousal and performance in the nervous system.
The ability to appropriately orient and respond to sensations can be
enhanced by a sensory diet. It also helps to reduce protective or sensory
defensive responses that can negatively affect behavior and social interactions.
The "main course" of most sensory diets is a mixture of movement,
deep-touch pressure, and heavy work. These activities have the most impact
and the most long-lasting effect to the nervous system. Remember that
it is used primarily as preparation or recovery from an event or functional
activity.
For example, a child who is a sensory seeker may need to march or wheelbarrow
walk on the way to dinner, soft music with a heavy beat is playing in
the background, tasty, spicy foods may be served, seating has a bungee
around the legs of the chair for feet bouncing, and after sitting for
the required 20 plus minutes, he may need to have a little walk outside.
A child easily overwhelmed with sensory input may like dimmed lighting
at dinner, bland food, a heavy seat belt (rice lap pad), and a little
back rub after dinner.
There is no one standard "diet" that fits all. It is very individual. The sensory diet is a very powerful behavioral tool and not just a bombardment of sensory input. If used properly it can help prevent some challenging behaviors. Engaging the child in what his nervous system needs will help him feel more in control, less anxious, and more attentive.