Sensory Diet Activities for Parents

 

ARURA PAEDIATRIC THERAPY SERVICES

Sensory Diet Activities for Parents:

For Over-Responsiveness (Hypersensitivity)

These activities help calm and regulate a child who is easily overwhelmed by sensory input.

Activity	Instructions for Parents
Deep Pressure Massage	Give your child firm but gentle massages on their arms, legs, and back to provide calming sensory input.
Weighted Backpack	Let your child carry a small, weighted backpack (no more than 10% of their body weight) around the house or on walks.
Animal Walks	Have your child crawl like a bear, walk like a crab, or slither like a snake across the floor. These activities are both fun and calming.
Play with Soft Textures	Offer activities like kneading play dough or playing with slime to help your child desensitize to touch.
Brushing Protocol	If guided by a therapist, use a soft brush on your child's arms and legs to reduce tactile sensitivity.
Swinging in a Hammock	Gently swing your child in a hammock or on a slow swing to provide calming vestibular input.
Use of Noise-Canceling Headphones	Provide your child with noise-canceling headphones in noisy environments like malls or crowded areas to avoid sensory overload.
Chewing Resistive Foods	Offer your child crunchy foods like carrots or chewy foods like licorice to give their mouth calming proprioceptive input.

General Tips for Parents:

v  Supervision: Always supervise your child during these activities to ensure safety and comfort.

v  Frequency: Try to incorporate these exercises into your daily routine, based on how your child responds.

v  Adjust as Needed: Adapt the intensity and duration of each activity depending on how your child reacts to the sensory input.

 

AADHIRaA PAEDIATRIC THERAPY SERVICES

Sensory Diet Activities for Parents:

For Under-Responsiveness (Hyposensitivity)

These activities help alert and engage a child who needs more sensory input to stay focused.

Activity	Instructions for Parents
Jumping on a Trampoline	Encourage your child to jump on a mini-trampoline for a few minutes to help them wake up and stay focused.
Tug-of-War	Play tug-of-war with your child using a rope or a towel. It’s a fun way to build strength and increase alertness.
Wall Push-Ups	Have your child stand about a foot away from a wall and push against it as if they’re doing push-ups. This is great for proprioceptive input.
Finger Painting	Let your child play with finger paints to stimulate their tactile senses while being creative.
Musical Instruments	Give your child drums, tambourines, or other loud instruments to make sounds and engage their auditory senses.
Spinning or Fast Swinging	Let your child spin on a chair or swing quickly for a short period to provide vestibular stimulation.
Chewing Crunchy Foods	Offer your child crunchy snacks like pretzels or apples to help wake them up and engage their senses.
Using a Whistle or Straw	Encourage your child to blow through a whistle or drink thick liquids (like smoothies) through a straw for oral motor stimulation.

General Tips for Parents:

v  Supervision: Always supervise your child during these activities to ensure safety and comfort.

v  Frequency: Try to incorporate these exercises into your daily routine, based on how your child responds.

v  Adjust as Needed: Adapt the intensity and duration of each activity depending on how your child reacts to the sensory input.