This is my first blog post. This is a great way to connect with all of you and hope to keep you coming back for more tips. I have been in the field of assisting special needs children since 1995. It is my passion and vocation to help other parents navigate this unique journey together.
I want to help visitors explore our content? I also welcome your blog post suggestions for future topics. This post, has 3 categories:
* What is a sensory diet? It actually has nothing to do with food and nutrition, instead it is developing a personalized inventory of tools that can assist and regulate a child's nervous system.
* Understanding a sensory diet plan? Since every human being has a nervous system consisting of 5 senses (taste, touch, seeing, hearing, smelling) we each have automatically established sensory preferences to "idle our engine" at a comfortable level. You begin with identifying your own preferences, while realizing there is usually a dominate one or prevalent one or two. Some individuals have senses in overdrive and this is where sensory integration dysfunction occurs. Most children with special needs, have some sort of sensory deficit that requires tools tailored to them to regulate and participate.(ie: the fire alarm sounds 10x louder then a typical person)
* How to develop a sensory diet? First, parents take an inventory of their own sensory diet (ie: shaking hands, sleep with feet sticking out from the blanket, chewing gum, sensitive to certain smells and sounds etc.) Once tuned into your own sensory profile you can then do your special needs child and usually determine areas of heightened sensitivity or even not much sensitivity at all. At this point, with the help of an Occupational Therapist you can create a tool chest of devices, spaces, and routines to ensure that your child's sensory needs are met. This can improve the quality of life for your child and your family.
Comments