Sensory Diets Adelaide

A sensory diet is a carefully designed program of activities that provides the sensory input you or your child needs to regulate emotions, behaviours, and focus. Just as a food diet ensures balanced nutrition, a sensory diet helps balance sensory input throughout the day, enabling children and adults to thrive at home, in school, at work and in social settings.

Paediatric occupational therapist smiling assisting child who is on a swing using a sensory therapy tool during a therapy session at the Thrive Health Therapies clinic in Findon, Adelaide

What Is a Sensory Diet?

A sensory diet is a structured and personalised plan that helps individuals manage their sensory processing needs. It is created by an experienced occupational therapist and tailored to meet the unique sensory preferences of each individual. The goal is to provide the right types and amounts of sensory input to help them remain calm, focused, and balanced throughout the day.

Contrary to its name, a sensory diet is not about food! Instead, it’s a series of activities and strategies that help regulate the sensory input an individual receives from their environment.

Child swinging on monkey bars smiling at the Thrive Health Therapies clinic in Findon, Adelaide

How Does a Sensory Diet Work?

When someone’s sensory system struggles to process stimuli effectively, they may experience challenges such as hyperactivity, impulsiveness, or difficulty focusing. A sensory diet provides targeted sensory input to help the brain better interpret and respond to these stimuli.

  1. Customised for Each Individual
    An occupational therapist works closely with the individual and their family and supports to develop a sensory diet that addresses specific challenges and goals.

  2. Daily Sensory Input
    Like a food diet, a sensory diet involves regular activities spread throughout the day to maintain balance and avoid sensory overload or under-stimulation.

  3. Proactive and Reactive Tools
    A sensory diet not only supports overall regulation but can also be used to prepare for or manage potentially overwhelming situations, such as noisy environments or transitions.

Why Is a Sensory Diet Important?

Sensory diets are essential for individuals who experience sensory processing difficulties, as they:

  • Enhance Self-Regulation: Help maintain a calm and organised state, improving focus and emotional balance.

  • Improve Engagement: Enables participation more effectively in daily activities like school, play, and family routines.

  • Prevent Sensory Overload: Provides calming or stimulating input to prevent meltdowns or disconnection.

  • Support Development: Encourages skill-building, from motor development to social interactions.

What Activities Do a Sensory Diet Include?

A sensory diet includes a mix of sensory activities tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. These activities target various sensory systems:

  1. Tactile Activities

    • Playing with sensory bins (e.g., rice, sand, or water).

    • Using textured toys or fabrics.

    • Engaging in messy play, like finger painting.

  2. Vestibular Activities (Movement)

    • Swinging on a swing set.

    • Rocking in a chair or hammock.

    • Jumping on a trampoline.

  3. Proprioceptive Activities (Body Awareness)

    • Heavy work activities like carrying groceries or pushing a weighted cart.

    • Deep-pressure hugs or using a weighted blanket.

    • Animal walks (e.g. crab walking or bear crawling).

  4. Auditory Activities

    • Listening to calming or rhythmic music.

    • Using noise-cancelling headphones in loud environments.

  5. Visual Activities

    • Watching calming visuals like lava lamps.

    • Organising colourful objects or creating patterns.

  6. Oral Sensory Activities

    • Chewing gum, crunchy foods, or using oral chews.

    • Blowing bubbles or using a straw to drink thick liquids.

How Thrive Health Therapies Can Help

Our skilled occupational therapists create personalised sensory diets to address you or your child’s specific needs. Here’s how we can support you:

1. Comprehensive Sensory Assessments

We conduct detailed sensory assessments to identify sensory preferences, challenges, and triggers.

2. Customised Sensory Diet Plans

Based on the assessment, we design a sensory diet tailored to your individual needs. This plan includes practical activities you can integrate into daily routines at home, school, work, or in the community.

3. Family and Educator Training

We provide guidance and training for families, teachers, and caregivers to ensure consistency in implementing the sensory diet across different settings.

4. Ongoing Support

We regularly review and adjust the sensory diet to meet you or your child’s evolving needs and developmental progress.

Occupational therapist assisting client who is holding a ball during a during a sensory processing therapy session at the Thrive Health Therapies clinic in Findon, Adelaide

Why Choose Thrive Health Therapies for a Sensory Diet?

  • No wait time: We can start working with clients straight away!

  • Experienced Clinicians: Our occupational therapists are senior clinicians with years of experience working with a wide range of presentations.

  • Extensive Coverage in the community: We serve a large geographical area, providing speech pathology across all of metropolitan Adelaide from Gawler to Aldinga. We see clients at home, in their school or kindergarten, or at a location convenient to them.

  • Clinic space: Our fully accessible clinic in Findon has been specially designed to be appropriate for a wide range of presentations & disabilities.

  • Individualised care: Every client receives a personalised therapy plan based on their unique needs and goals.

  • Neuroaffirming Practice: We provide compassionate and affirming services to support and empower neurodiverse individuals.

  • Multi-Disciplinary Approach: We offer a wide range of allied health services under one roof, allowing for a holistic approach to your health.

  • NDIS Registered: We are proudly registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

  • LGBTQIA+ friendly: We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, genders, and sexualities, Our Findon clinic is a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for all LGBTQIA+ people and families.

Child climbing on a ladder during a children's occupational therapy session at the Thrive Health Therapies clinic in Findon, Adelaide

Frequently Asked Questions About Sensory Diets Adelaide

  • A sensory diet is a personalised plan of sensory-based activities designed by an occupational therapist to help individuals regulate their sensory input. It helps maintain balance, focus, and emotional stability throughout the day.

  • Sensory diets are beneficial for individuals with sensory processing challenges, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, developmental delays, or learning difficulties. They are also helpful for anyone who struggles with sensory regulation.

  • A sensory diet is developed by an occupational therapist after a comprehensive sensory assessment. It is tailored to the individual’s unique sensory needs and preferences to address challenges and promote regulation.

  • No, despite the name, a sensory diet is not related to food. It refers to a “diet” of sensory-based activities that provide the input an individual needs to function effectively.

  • Yes, sensory diets can be integrated into school routines. Our therapists can collaborate with teachers to include activities like movement breaks, sensory tools, or quiet spaces in the classroom.

  • Sensory diets are typically implemented throughout the day at regular intervals, as consistency is key to maintaining balance and preventing sensory overload.

  • Yes, as individuals grow and their sensory needs evolve, their sensory diet may need to be adjusted. Regular reviews with an occupational therapist ensure it remains effective.

  • Yes, Thrive Health Therapies is a registered NDIS provider. Sensory diets and therapy services can be funded through NDIS plans under relevant categories.

  • Yes! As a registered NDIS provider, Thrive Health Therapies meets rigorous NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators. We are passionately committed to upholding the NDIS Practice Standards, providing high-quality and safe supports and services for NDIS participants.

    As a NDIS registered provider, we are also able to offer services to participants whose funds are managed by the NDIA.

  • No! We can start working with new clients right away.

    Once we have received a referral form with all of your details, we are able to book an Initial Assessment as soon as possible, depending on your availability.

    You can find our paediatric referral forms here and our adult referral forms here.

    If you have any questions prior to referring please reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.

  • No, you can refer yourself or your loved one directly via our online referral form, or reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.

  • Getting started is easy!


    Contact us via phone 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.

    Alternatively, fill in one of our easy online referral forms. You can find our paediatric referral forms here and our adult referral forms here.

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