Sensory Diet: A term devised by Patricia Wilbarger in 1971 to describe a therapeutic method to maintain an optimal level of arousal (in the nervous system) by offering the right combination of sensory information. The term diet is a metaphor for the regular "feeding of the nervous system" to change one's state of arousal timed carefully throughout the day. A well planned "sensory diet" should include comfort touch, pleasurable social experiences, organizing proprioception, varied tactile activities and modulating vestibular input.

Try these following recipes for tactile exploration:

Gelatin Painting

You need:

    * Finger paint paper

    * Dry Jello (Strawberry, black cherry, and raspberry have the       strongest scents

    * Water

Directions:

    * Wet the glossy side of the finger paint paper. Sprinkle dry jello on the wet paper and finger paint.

Cornmeal Dough

You need:

    * 1 1/2 cups flour

    * 1 1/2 cups cornmeal

    * 1 cup salt

    * 1 cup water

Directions:

    * Mix the dry ingredients together. Add the water to make the mixture cling.

    * This keeps up to 6 weeks in an air tight container.

Playdough

You need:

    * 1 cup flour

    * 1/2 cup salt

    * 2 teaspoons cream of tartar

    * 1 cup water

    * 1 tablespoon salad oil

    * food color and/or flavor

Directions:

    * Cook on low until the dough sticks to the spoon.

    * Store in an airtight container or ziploc bag.

Clean Mud

You need:

    * 6 rolls toilet paper

    * 2 small bars Ivory soap

    * 1 1/2 cups Borax

    * water

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Directions:   

    * In a big container unroll all the toilet paper. Tear into smaller   pieces.

    * Pour water until it is wet.

    * Grate the soap on top.

    * Mix the borax on top.

    * Stir.

    * Add water in small amounts at a time.

    * Squish.

      * This starts out gritty and becomes fluffy.

Oatmeal Fundough

You need:

    * 2 cups uncooked oatmeal

    * 1 cup flour

    * 1/4 cup water

Directions:

    * Mix all the ingredients together.

      ****This is not a tasty dough!

Pud

You need:

    * 1/2 cup cornstarch

    * 1/4 cup water

    * food color

Directions:

    * Mix the above ingredients together in a pan.

Slime

You need:

A.

    * 1 teaspoon Borax

    * 1/3 cup water

B.

    * 1/2 cup Elmers All-Purpose Glue

    * 1/2 cup water

    * food color

Directions:

    * Mix A and B in separate bowls.

    * Pour A and B into one bowl and stir.

    * Mixture is ready when it does not stick to the spoon.

Marget Wincent, OTR/L

Director

OT Outcomes