"A sensory diet is based on the concept that each child requires a certain amount of sensory input & activity to be the most alert, adaptable, and skillful. The primary goal of a sensory diet is to find sensory-based activities to help a child feel more alert, calm and organized. Our senses give us information about our body & also about the environment around us. We use the information to successfully interact in the world. Sensory integration is the ability to block our irrelevant sensory input while paying attention to relevant input." ~Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Each child has their own unique sensory diet. Some kids crave loud noise while for others that may be a trigger to setting off a meltdown. Another kiddo may enjoy bright, fast moving lights while another child may prefer a dimly lit room. So, when Ethan began Occupational Therapy, the first thing we did was investigate his senses in order to see what input his body needed & what would send him into a state of meltdown......we were finding his specific Sensory Diet.
Growing up, we were taught the 5 senses......sight, smell, sound, taste & touch. Going through this OT process with Ethan, I also learned about the Proprioceptive system (body awareness) & the Vestibular system (movement & balance). I have already touched on these last 2 systems as well as taste & touch. I want to finish up my notes on this topic in today's posting.
First, closely related to taste, is the sense of smell or the Olfactory system. Certain smells can awaken or calm ourselves. I relate this to candle shopping. Have you ever stood in the candle section of a store "testing" all of the different smells in order to find the candle you want to purchase? Why did you pick that particular scent? Or have you said or ever heard anyone say, "I LOVE the smell of_________!" Well, there is a reason that you are drawn to particular smells. More than likely, it is causing your body's senses to either relax or energize. Same thing for people with autism....the only difference is they tend to react stronger than a typical person. Typically, "scents (and tastes) that are generally calming & easier to process include: almond extract, butter, banana, cinnamon, lavender, pine, soap, vanilla, chamomile, rose & sweet foods. Scents (and tastes) that are generally invigorating & harder to process include peppermint, lemon, garlic, mothballs, vinegar, fish, burnt material, coffee, dirt, chocolate, onion, basil, salty or sour foods." (ipmr)
We tested Ethan and found that he was MOSTLY indifferent to smells. However, we did notice that he has a difficult time eating at the table when dinner smells are still high. As I am typing up these notes, I am remembering last night's dinner. I made salad, spaghetti & garlic bread......GARLIC bread. If you see in the notes up above, that is a energizing smell. Spaghetti is one of his favorite foods, but last night, he wouldn't hardly step foot into the kitchen/dining room. We coaxed him into taking 3 bites, and then he was outta there! After awhile, he came back in & asked for waffles.....which would include syrup.....a sweet (calming) food. And, by that time, dinner has turned cold......and cold food has less smell than hot food. This is one of the reasons that Ethan & I can't cook/bake together....the smell is too much for him. Honestly, I often forget about smell because it isn't a BIG trigger for Ethan. But if our kitchen has a strong smell of any kind, he won't come in....too much for him. So, we do have to be careful about buying scented bubble bath, burning candles, wearing perfume, air fresheners, etc. In fact, when I brew my coffee, I immediately pour the whole pot into a large thermos in order to keep the smell to a minimum. So, our conclusion is that Ethan doesn't have a strong response to specific smells.....only overwhelming smells.
Second, is the sense of sound or the Auditory system. This is a MAJOR one for our Ethan. "Individuals can be defensive towards loud noises, have difficulty attending & focusing in noisy environments, &/or be calmed by music. Many children do well with verbal warning of noises. Rhythmical beats, decreased unexpected noises, use of headphones or ear plugs can be calming. Loud irregular beats and unexpected noises (such as toilet flushing or fire alarm) are alerting." ~(ipmr)
We did not need to test Ethan in this area.....this is the reason we knew Ethan needed OT. We already knew what he could & couldn't handle. When he was an infant, he would instantly calm when we would turn on our range hood in the kitchen, but he would cry when I would vacuum. He would fall asleep in his crib to a CD of white noise, but he would cry when I would use the blow dryer. We already knew these things from his infancy. Loud noise, commotion, and transitions are Ethan's BIG triggers....he is easily set off with these things. His big triggers are high frequency noise (electronics, appliances, etc.....another reason he won't cook with me in the kitchen....I think the one time I foolishly used the blender did him in for life.), but he craves the low frequency (car motors, white noise, etc.) In order to help him cope &/or calm himself, we use several things. Ear plugs/Headphones, verbal warnings/cover our ears, social stories or practice prior to an event, white noise machine which includes rainfall, ocean waves & a lullaby song....that is in 4/4 time (calming), quiet time, transition phrases, and quiet silly songs. This is Ethan's most difficult sensory system to overcome, but he is getting better the older he gets......and we are getting better at helping him as well.
Lastly, is the sense of sight or the Visual System. "We use our visual information to alert and calm ourselves and to help with focus and attention. Some children become over-stimulated by visual input such as fast paced TV or watching a ceiling fan. Decreased clutter, dimmer lighting, small enclosed space or slow moving visual stimuli tends to be calming. Fast paced visual input, highly decorated room, fast moving toys/lights tends to be alerting."(ipmr)
This is an area that affects Ethan very little. We experimented with several types of visually calming & alerting activities, and he had no response either way. However, we did find out that Ethan loves watching a fire as well as a fish tank, he enjoys visual cues such as a picture schedule, and he loves visual games like match games or dot-to-dots. However, let me say this......although certain sensory systems do not seem to seem to cause a reaction from Ethan, combined together they can be triggers for a meltdown. For example, in out-of-routine situations, I am always aware of any extra sensory overload. We are already tapping into a trigger due to being out of the ordinary. So, that mixed with a lot of visual stimulation could cause a meltdown. If we go to a new environment, I am trying to be aware of new stimuli......fans, appliances, commotion, etc.....in order to prepare for a possible meltdown. Usually, I can see that Ethan has tolerated all he can, and we remove him from the situation before the meltdown occurs. Lately, he has been doing VERY well at handling new things & tolerating unfamiliar stimuli for longer periods of time. YAHOO!!!!!!!!!
I know this is a long entry, but I wanted to finish up Ethan's Sensory Diet. Now, I can file this paperwork away.......but not too far out of reach. I like to refer to it time & time again in order to refresh my memory as well try new recommended activities with Ethan. And, maybe, someday Ethan will want to cook with me in the kitchen......just maybe without the blender.....maybe rice crispy treats!?
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| Ethan's Rice Box. Tactile System=Calming. He will bury the toys & dig them out. Nice way to use happy meal toys! |
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| Similar to a sandbox, he can dig in this rice bin. It's messy, but it's worth the 10 min clean up for the 30 min of playtime. |
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| I had looked all over for these, and finally found them at a toy store in St. Louis. These are great to work his "shoulder" muscles....which help with his proprioceptive system.....and will help him with his HANDWRITING! |
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| These are most of Ethan's tactile system toys....or fidget toys. They are great for the car & the dinner table. |
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| Ethan's headphones & ear plugs....great for making loud sounds quieter. |
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| Ethan's sound machine. I think I've posted this before, but we use this all night long. This helps him sleep soundly & block out noises that could wake him up. He has started requesting what he wants to listen to...I love it! |
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| This is Ethan in a BOUNCE HOUSE! Less than a year ago, he wouldn't go near one because the air-blowing motor sound was too loud. Late this summer, he played in this bounce house (that was surrounded by 2 other bounce houses) for more than an hour! He started with ear plugs, but they didn't stay in too long before HE took them out! YEA!!!! |
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| Here is Ethan at his school's Halloween parade. He handled it just fine...with a little ear covering action. |
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| Here are a few visually organizing toys that help Ethan in high anxiety situations. We use these when we run errands. Stickers & flashcards that he can organize/line up. |
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| Again, I think I put this on here before, but this lamp includes cars that go around & around. We bought it to help soothe Ethan, but he doesn't seem to be interested in it anymore....but it sure is cool!!! |
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| Here is an example of a visual schedule. These help Ethan know what to do next, and he really likes them. However, once he knows the schedule, he doesn't use/isn't interested in them anymore. |
OK! That's the end! This is Ethan's Sensory Diet!
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