Empowering You with a Tailored Sensory Diet Planning Resource
A sensory diet is an individualized, person-centered framework crafted to incorporate sensory activities that foster self-regulation and support sensory processing capacities. These plans are not about correcting or normalizing sensory differences but about respecting and embracing each individual’s unique sensory preferences and requirements. For neurodivergent individuals, a thoughtfully designed sensory diet can be an invaluable tool to enhance emotional regulation, improve concentration, lessen sensory overload, and promote holistic wellness.
Designing an effective sensory diet might seem daunting without proper guidance. That’s precisely why our Sensory Diet Planning Tool exists — a straightforward, user-friendly resource aimed at simplifying the process and empowering users, caregivers, and educators to develop personalized sensory plans effortlessly.
Introducing Our Innovative Sensory Diet Planning Tool
This digital platform is conceived to make sensory diet planning both accessible and intuitive. Founded on neurodiversity-affirming principles, the tool recognizes that sensory needs are diverse and should be celebrated rather than pathologized. It complements our Sensory Profile assessment, guiding you to identify key areas of sensory need and then craft a bespoke diet tailored to those needs.
Notable Features of Our Tool:
- Customizable Activity Selection: Access a broad spectrum of sensory activities, each adaptable to different sensory preferences and individual needs.
- Exportable PDF Reports: Generate and download your personalized sensory diet plan as a PDF document for easy sharing and ongoing reference.
- Respectful, Neurodiversity-Affirming Language: The language used within the tool is carefully designed to validate and honor sensory experiences, avoiding stigmatizing terminology.
Categories of Sensory Activities to Honor Sensory Diversity
At the core of a sensory diet are engaging activities that stimulate the senses in safe, enjoyable, and regulating ways. These activities are categorized based on the primary sensory modality they target, though many naturally engage multiple senses simultaneously. This tool is intended to be used alongside our recommended resource, Jane Horwood’s Sensory Circuits.
Primary Categories of Sensory Activities:
- Vestibular Activities: Exercises that promote balance, spatial orientation, and coordination.
- Proprioceptive Activities: Movements and activities that provide deep input to muscles and joints, supporting calmness and body awareness.
- Tactile Activities: Engagement with textures and touch that can be soothing or stimulating, aligned with individual sensory preferences.
- Auditory Activities: Sound-based activities aimed at regulating auditory processing and creating calming auditory environments.
- Visual Activities: Visual stimulation exercises that can be both relaxing and captivating.
- Oral Activities: Sensory activities involving the mouth and oral cavity, providing calming or alerting input as needed.
The Significance of a Sensory Diet
More than just a collection of activities, a sensory diet is a reflection of honoring sensory diversity. For neurodivergent individuals, sensory differences are an intrinsic aspect of their identity. A well-structured sensory diet offers numerous benefits, including:
- Fostering feelings of grounding and emotional regulation.
- Reducing sensory overwhelm and potential meltdowns.
- Enhancing focus, engagement, and participation in daily routines.
- Supporting self-awareness and empowering self-advocacy skills.
Our Sensory Diet Planning Tool is designed to make creating these personalized plans straightforward, accessible, and affirming. By providing a wide array of activities and customizable options, each sensory diet can be uniquely tailored to honor individual sensory profiles and preferences. Please be aware that we do not collect any personal data nor do we retain any copies of generated reports.
HTML Code for Sensory Diet Planner Interface
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Sensory Diet Customizer
Crafting an effective sensory diet doesn’t have to feel intimidating. Our Sensory Diet Planning Tool guides you through a process that celebrates sensory diversity and champions individual needs in a neurodiversity-positive manner. Whether you’re new to the concept or seeking a streamlined, personalized approach, this resource is designed to assist you every step of the way.
Remember, sensory preferences are simply variations that make each person unique. By providing appropriate sensory input and understanding individual differences, we can foster environments where everyone has the opportunity to flourish.
Sensory Activities Included in Our Extensive Library
Vestibular Activities
| Activity | Duration |
| Swinging | 15 minutes |
| Jumping on a Trampoline | 20 minutes |
| Bouncing on a Therapy Ball | 15 minutes |
| Rolling Down a Hill | 15 minutes |
| Using a Spinning Chair | 10 minutes |
| Rocking in a Rocking Chair | 15 minutes |
| Scooter Board Activities | 20 minutes |
| Jumping Like a Frog | 10 minutes |
| Using a Sensory Swing | 20 minutes |
| Playing with Balloons | 15 minutes |
| Balance Beam Walking | 15 minutes |
| Spinning Dance Moves | 10 minutes |
| Rolling on a Mat | 15 minutes |
| Playground Equipment | 30 minutes |
| Head Inversions | 5 minutes |
Proprioceptive Activities
| Activity | Duration |
| Obstacle Course | 20 minutes |
| Yoga or Stretching | 15 minutes |
| Nature Walk | 30 minutes |
| Playing Simon Says | 20 minutes |
| Hopping on One Foot | 10 minutes |
| Deep Pressure Massage | 10 minutes |
| Pushing or Pulling a Weighted Cart | 20 minutes |
| Climbing a Rope Ladder | 20 minutes |
| Using Resistance Bands | 15 minutes |
| Hugging a Weighted Stuffed Animal | 15 minutes |
| Building with Blocks | 30 minutes |
| Using a Weighted Lap Pad | 15 minutes |
| Lying on a Therapy Ball | 15 minutes |
| Jumping into a Pile of Pillows | 15 minutes |
| Wrapping Up in a Lycra Body Sock | 10 minutes |
| Stomping Like a Dinosaur | 10 minutes |
| Weighted Blanket Time | 15 minutes |
| Wall Push-Ups | 10 minutes |
| Animal Walks | 15 minutes |
| Heavy Work Activities | 20 minutes |
| Joint Compression Exercises | 10 minutes |
| Carrying Heavy Items | 15 minutes |
Tactile Activities
| Activity | Duration |
| Scented Playdough | 15 minutes |
| Water Play | 30 minutes |
| Finger Painting | 30 minutes |
| Fidget Toys | 10 minutes |
| Exploring Different Textures | 20 minutes |
| Playing with Sand | 30 minutes |
| Bubble Wrap Popping | 10 minutes |
| Playing with Water Beads | 20 minutes |
| Playing with Ice Cubes | 15 minutes |
| Playing with Shaving Foam | 20 minutes |
| Squeezing a Therapy Putty | 15 minutes |
| Tearing and Crumpling Paper | 10 minutes |
| Using a Sensory Brush | 10 minutes |
| Exploring Nature Textures | 30 minutes |
| Building Sandcastles | 30 minutes |
| Messy Play with Food | 20 minutes |
| Texture Scavenger Hunt | 25 minutes |
| Rice Bin Exploration | 20 minutes |
| Dry Pasta Play | 20 minutes |
| Sensory Bags | 15 minutes |
Visual Activities
| Activity | Duration |
| Coloring with Markers | 20 minutes |
| Creating Sensory Bottles | 15 minutes |
| Watching Bubbles Float | 10 minutes |
| Playing with Magnifying Glasses | 15 minutes |
| Glow Sticks in the Dark | 15 minutes |
| Lava Lamp Watching | 15 minutes |
| Flashlight Tag | 20 minutes |
| Creating Tie-Dye Art | 30 minutes |
| Sorting Colored Objects | 15 minutes |
| Light Table Activities | 20 minutes |
| Rainbow Rice Play | 20 minutes |
| Pattern Making | 15 minutes |
| Kaleidoscope Exploration | 10 minutes |
| Shadow Play | 15 minutes |
Auditory Activities
| Activity | Duration |
| Listening to Calming Music | 15 minutes |
| Dance Party | 20 minutes |
| Listening to Nature Sounds | 15 minutes |
| Singing Songs | 20 minutes |
| Making Animal Sounds | 10 minutes |
| Whispering and Listening to Echoes | 10 minutes |
| Playing with Wind Chimes | 10 minutes |
| Creating Gentle Rain Sounds with a Rain Stick | 10 minutes |
| Listening to Sound Stories | 20 minutes |
| Musical Instruments | 20 minutes |
| Sound Matching Games | 15 minutes |
| White Noise Activities | 15 minutes |
| Rhythm Activities | 20 minutes |
Oral Activities
| Activity | Duration |
| Chewing Gum | 10 minutes |
| Crunching Ice Chips | 10 minutes |
| Drinking Thick Smoothies Through a Straw | 15 minutes |
| Blowing Bubbles | 10 minutes |
| Using Chewy Tubes | 15 minutes |
| Blowing Musical Instruments | 15 minutes |
| Drinking Through Different Straws | 10 minutes |
| Exploring Food Textures | 20 minutes |
Multi-Sensory Activities for Holistic Engagement
| Activity | Duration |
| Creating Sensory Circuits | 30 minutes |
| Cooking and Culinary Activities | 30 minutes |
| Designing a Sensory Garden | 30 minutes |
| Mindfulness and Relaxation Exercises | 10 minutes |
| Sensory Bin Exploration | 25 minutes |
| Nature Scavenger Hunts | 30 minutes |
| Creative Art and Craft Projects | 30 minutes |
| Indoor Beach Play Experiences | 25 minutes |
| Science Experiments and Exploration | 30 minutes |