Creating an Effective Sensory Diet

VestibularCalming Alerting

-Rock in a rocking chair

-Take a break to do run an errand

GustatoryCalming Alerting

-Engage in chewing , sucking, and eating…

-Keep and drink from a sports water bottle (keep near desk)

-Eat crunch foods (pretzels, ice, carrots, celery, apples)

-This school year, Nate had a difficult time transitioning to his last class at 2:00 pm. We provided him with a quick 5 minute break. 1- Go to the kitchen 2- Get ice and fill with water 3- Once finished, go to class

ProprioceptiveCalming Alerting

-Carry weighted blanket, backpack, push heavy furniture. -- Deep pressure (i.e. squeezing hands/ body)

-Exercise or dance(i.e. Make a classroom dance CD and dance your fanny off! )

( Another teacher made an exercise video for beginning of her class)

Olfactory

Calming Alerting

-Using scented crayons, markers, pencils

-Using citrus room deodorizer before academic activities

- Using scented lotion or soap between activities

AuditoryCalming Alerting

-Use headphones to shield from noise(i.e. JC is able to better process and comprehend when he uses headphones)

(i.e. MW does not like going to the gym during assemblies. We give him headphones and he is able to attend and participate for CEC Basketball)

-Prepare in advance for loud/ strange noises (i.e. incorporate into power point presentations!!!)

TactileCalming Alerting

-Play with resistive putty -Light back scratch

-Hold something cold

VisualCalming Alerting-Some of the rooms have dimmers to allow teachers/ students to control the room

- My students prefer to have “Natural light”

-Provide a distraction – free area

-Use flashlight to point or highlight important information

-Use brightly colored behavior(i.e. “STOP”, “Ask permission before leaving the room”)

Daily Schedule

Checks in / out Pre-vocational skills

and establishes a classroom routine

What to wear?

Kitchen- Pictures Cues