Sensory Diet Ideas for Oral Sensory Seeking Behaviors in Children
Children with sensory processing disorder have a neurological condition that prevents their brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. As a result, they seek sensory input from outside stimuli in order to organize their bodies and stay focused 2. Every child may need a different type of input in order to stabilize himself, but parents and children can choose from a variety of options for children who seek oral input.
Calming Foods
Foods that require a lot of chewing may calm a sensory-seeking child. Chewy foods may include licorice, gummy fruits, granola bars or jerky. Crunchy foods could include unsalted pretzels, chips, popcorn, gum, apples or carrots. Other kids may prefer foods they can suck, such as lollipops or hard candies. Or, they can suck water from a sports bottle or a milkshake or pudding through a straw.
- Foods that require a lot of chewing may calm a sensory-seeking child.
- Other kids may prefer foods they can suck, such as lollipops or hard candies.
Foods to Alert
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Some children will need sensory input to "wake up" their senses rather than calm them. These foods might include cinnamon or peppermint gum, salted pretzels or chips. Some children may crave specific strong tastes in foods and prefer sour foods, like lemons or lemon drops, while others may prefer spicy foods to wake their senses. These might include red hot candies or hot sauce.
- Some children will need sensory input to "wake up" their senses rather than calm them.
- Some children may crave specific strong tastes in foods and prefer sour foods, like lemons or lemon drops, while others may prefer spicy foods to wake their senses.
Varied Temperatures
Very cold or mixed temperature foods may give your child the sensory input he needs. Offer frozen fruits or vegetables or ice pops to satisfy a child seeking cold input. Mixed temperature foods could include a taco with hot meat and cold toppings, hot soup with a spoonful of sour cream or an ice cream sundae with hot fudge.
Non-food Ideas
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There are other ways besides food your child can get oral input. Some children may like sucking a pacifier or biting on rubber toys or tubing. Chewy tubes help older children to keep from chewing on their hands or other non-food objects and help them to focus. Blowing a whistle or bubbles may also have a calming effect. Or, try having your child blow bubbles through a straw or a ping pong ball across a table. Vibrating oral-motor tools also may be used to give sensory input.
- There are other ways besides food your child can get oral input.
- Some children may like sucking a pacifier or biting on rubber toys or tubing.
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References
- Sensory Smarts: Sensory Diet Activities
- Calming and Alerting Sensory Input chart
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Diagnostic Criteria. Updated August 27, 2019.
- Case-Smith J, Weaver LL, Fristad MA. A systematic review of sensory processing interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism. 2015;19(2):133‐148. doi:10.1177/1362361313517762
- Case-Smith J, Weaver LL, Fristad MA. A systematic review of sensory processing interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism. 2015;19(2):133-148. doi:10.1177/1362361313517762.
- Grapel JN, Cicchetti DV, Volkmar FR. Sensory features as diagnostic criteria for autism: sensory features in autism. Yale J Biol Med. 2015;88(1):69–71.
- John, L. Multi-sensory environments and their use by people with autism. Altogether Autism Journal. 2017. Issue 1.
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Writer Bio
Lisa Weber is a freelance writer/editor and former special education teacher. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism and professional writing, and a master's degree in special education. Over the last 15 years, she has written for a variety of newspapers, magazines, and on-line publications.