A sensory diet is one of the most powerful tools occupational therapists use to help children with sensory processing difficulties. At WonderKids in Malta, we create individualised sensory home programmes — commonly called sensory diets — that help children stay regulated, focused, and calm throughout the day.
What Is a Sensory Diet?
Despite the name, a sensory diet has nothing to do with food. It is a carefully planned programme of sensory activities woven into a child’s daily routine to provide the sensory input their nervous system needs. Just as we need regular meals to maintain energy, children with sensory processing differences need regular sensory input to maintain optimal regulation.
A sensory diet typically includes activities that provide:
- Proprioceptive input: Heavy work activities such as pushing, pulling, carrying, climbing, and jumping that give deep pressure to muscles and joints
- Vestibular input: Movement activities such as swinging, spinning, rocking, or bouncing that stimulate the balance system
- Tactile input: Touch-based activities such as playing with textured materials, water play, or deep pressure massage
- Calming strategies: Activities that help bring a child’s arousal level down, such as slow rocking, deep breathing, or quiet spaces
- Alerting strategies: Activities that help increase alertness and attention, such as crunchy foods, cold water, or brisk movement
Who Benefits from a Sensory Diet?
Sensory diets are particularly helpful for children who:
- Are easily overwhelmed by sensory input such as noise, crowds, or textures
- Seek out intense sensory experiences such as crashing, spinning, or mouthing objects
- Have difficulty sitting still and concentrating at school
- Experience frequent meltdowns related to sensory overwhelm
- Struggle with transitions between activities or environments
- Have been diagnosed with sensory processing disorder, autism, or ADHD
How WonderKids Creates a Sensory Diet
Step 1: Sensory Profile Assessment
We begin by thoroughly assessing your child’s sensory processing using standardised tools and clinical observation. This helps us understand which sensory systems need more input, which are oversensitive, and how your child’s sensory needs change throughout the day.
Step 2: Personalised Programme Design
Based on the assessment, we design a sensory diet specific to your child. This includes activities matched to their sensory needs, recommended timing throughout the day, and practical suggestions that fit into your family’s routine. We consider the home environment, school schedule, and your child’s interests.
Step 3: Parent and School Training
We teach you how to implement each activity, explain the purpose behind it, and help you recognise when your child needs more or less sensory input. We can also provide sensory diet recommendations for your child’s school, including classroom strategies and movement breaks.
Step 4: Review and Adjust
Sensory needs change over time, so we regularly review and adjust your child’s sensory diet. As your child grows and develops, their programme evolves with them.
Sample Sensory Diet Activities
While every child’s programme is unique, common sensory diet activities include:
- Morning: Jumping on a trampoline, carrying heavy items, chewy or crunchy breakfast foods
- Before school: Deep pressure hugs, weighted backpack walk, proprioceptive warm-up
- After school: Swing time, obstacle course, play dough or sensory bins
- Before bed: Warm bath, slow rocking, gentle massage, quiet reading
Start Your Child’s Sensory Diet
A well-designed sensory diet can transform daily life for families. Contact WonderKids on +356 77048650 or email [email protected] to book a sensory assessment at our Mosta or Zebbug clinic. Our therapists will create a programme that empowers you to support your child’s sensory needs every day.