Sensory processing disorder and emotional regulation

Brittney Clarke, OTA

Sensory diets for children with sensory processing disorder can be an important component of emotional regulation. In this article, one of our students, Brittney Clarke, OTA explores sensory diet ideas for children with SPD, and the connection of sensory processing disorder and emotional regulation.

Sensory Processing Disorder and Emotional Regulation

So your child was diagnosed with SPD and struggles with regulating their emotions. Often it is because their sensory needs haven’t been met or they are over-stimulated. There is not a “one size fits all” method to sensory diets but it may be something that will help your child self regulate.

WHAT IS A SENSORY DIET?

A sensory diet is a routine break focusing on providing sensory input to regulate your child’s body. This can help your child be able to attend to a task longer, sit for a task longer, decrease difficult behaviors and increase learning ability. Each child should have a different diet to meet their specific needs. These diets can be set up for home, school, or daycare. Sensory diets can be used when a need arises and may prevent disregulation. When your child does not have enough sensory input, they try to get it themselves, and not always in an appropriate way. That is why these breaks are designed to get the child the right amount of sensory input so they can function at the best level.

WOULD MY CHILD BENEFIT FROM SENSORY BREAKS?

Sensory is the base for a lot of our functioning as humans. That means if your child is getting too much or too little for them a lot of different aspects of functioning can be affected. Everyone needs a different amount of sensory input to feel calm and regulated, so what works for you or one child may not work for another. Signs that your child may benefit from a sensory diet may be not being able to sit still difficulty controlling impulses, playing too rough with others and difficulty respecting personal space. It may also seem that your child is not listening, has difficulty following directions, or they may hide for you or others if they are not getting the right amount of input. Your child may need a sensory break if they are covering their eyes or ears, talking louder than they realize, making sounds, and zoning out. Sensory dysregulation can affect behavior, academics and other tasks performed throughout the day.

Ideas for a sensory diet

A sensory diet can consist of many different things depending on what the child will need and what will help them. One important thing with sensory diets is that they should be consistent to help most effectively. A sensory diet can use equipment/ materials but it does not have to. A sensory diet should consist of whatever works best for you and your child. If you are unsure what type of input would benefit your child, you can always ask an OT/OTA. You can also observe what sensory input they are seeking from activities they enjoy or find calming.

Emotional regulation activities and sensory diets are:

If your child is seeking large body movement, ideas to help are:

 A weighted vest or compression vest

 Jumping on a small trampoline

 Swinging

 Crashing into crash pads

 Animal walks

 Wearing a heavy backpack

 Deep pressure squishing from pillows or large ball

 Running/walking

If your child is seeking tactile input, some ideas for a sensory break are:

 Playdough

 Slime

 Kinetic sand

 Sensory bins

 Playing legos

 Drawing or doing a craft

If your child is seeking out oral input, some ideas for sensory breaks are:

 Chews (small objects that are meant to be chewed on)

 Chewing gum

 Eating chewy foods

 Blowing bubbles

 Using a straw

If your child is seeking out visual input, some ideas for sensory breaks are:

 Color changing lights

 Playing with flashlights

 Variety of colors

 Liquid motion fidgets

If your child is seeking out auditory input, some ideas for sensory breaks are:

 Playing music

 White noise

 Singing or humming

 Music instruments