What Is a Sensory Diet?
Supporting Your Child’s Nervous System Through the Day
At Seeds OT, we often get asked,
"What’s a sensory diet—and does my child need one?"
Despite the name, a sensory diet has nothing to do with food. It’s a personalised plan of activities and supports designed to help a child’s nervous system feel more calm, focused, and regulated throughout the day.
It’s not just for children with a formal diagnosis. Sensory diets can help any child who struggles with big feelings, difficulty focusing, emotional outbursts, or trouble with transitions.
What Does “Sensory” Really Mean?
Every child has a unique way of taking in and responding to the world around them—light, sound, movement, touch, smells, tastes, and more.
Some kids are sensitive to certain inputs (e.g., they cover their ears at loud sounds or avoid messy textures). Others seek input (e.g., constantly moving, jumping, chewing, or crashing into things). Many kids are a mix of both.
When a child’s sensory needs aren’t being met—or when the environment overwhelms their system—they can become dysregulated. That might look like a meltdown, shutdown, restlessness, or emotional outburst.
A sensory diet helps provide the input their nervous system needs, at the right times, to stay more balanced.
So What Is a Sensory Diet?
Think of it like a “menu” of activities and tools that support your child’s sensory needs during the day.
Just like we eat regular meals to stay energised, children with sensory challenges often need regular sensory input to stay calm and organised. A sensory diet gives their brain and body what it needs—before dysregulation builds up.
A sensory diet might include:
Deep pressure activities (like bear hugs, rolling in a blanket, or squishing a therapy ball)
Movement breaks (jumping, swinging, climbing, or using a scooter board)
Oral input (crunchy snacks, chewable jewellery, or drinking through a straw)
Calming routines (breathing games, quiet time in a sensory corner, music)
Alerting strategies (brushing, spinning, bouncing on a trampoline)
The key is that it’s individualised. What works for one child may not work for another.
When and How Is It Used?
A sensory diet can be used:
Proactively, to help your child stay regulated before problems arise
During transitions, like getting ready for school or calming after lunch
In the moment, when your child is starting to get overwhelmed
The goal isn’t to remove all challenges—but to give your child’s body and brain the input it needs to handle those challenges more effectively.
How OT Helps Create a Sensory Diet
At Seeds OT, we don’t just hand you a list of ideas—we work closely with you and your child to understand:
What sensory input they seek or avoid
What times of day are most challenging
What activities actually help (and which ones don’t)
What fits realistically into your daily routine
We then create a tailored plan—often called a sensory support plan or sensory regulation plan—that fits your child, your home, and your life. We also check in regularly to adjust things as your child grows or their needs change.
A Sensory Diet Is Not a Quick Fix
It’s a tool—part of a bigger picture of understanding your child’s nervous system. A well-designed sensory diet builds predictability, confidence, and self-regulation skills over time.
Most importantly, it helps your child feel more safe, understood, and capable in their world.