Sensory Diet Countdown To Christmas 

Sensory Diet Countdown To Christmas

Jeanette Loftus 

The countdown to Christmas Day has started and this time of year, it can be difficult to decide what to buy for your child who has sensory differences. This year, we can make Christmas more enjoyable for children who struggle with sensory processing disorder by including sensory tools and activities into their holiday fun. A sensory diet countdown to Christmas can support their sensory needs while celebrating the holidays. 

A sensory diet isn't a food diet but a personalized plan of sensory input that helps regulate a child's sensory system. A sensory diet is created by a child's occupational therapist and provides just the right amount of sensory input to help a child feel calm, focused and ready to enjoy their holidays.  There are some really great Christmas gift ideas for sensory processing disorder that can be included into a festive countdown for a perfect sensory diet Christmas.

The magical Christmas holidays can be a very enjoyable time for everyone, including children with sensory processing disorder and anxiety. When you include different strategies to manage your child's sensory input, you can be sure that the holiday season is filled with calming and happy moments for everyone. Always be patient, understanding and prioritize your child's comfort and sensory needs during the holidays. 

The holiday season has arrived and it is time to think about Christmas gifts for the children in your life but what do you get for a child with sensory processing disorder? 

Visual Sensory Tools & Toys

Children with sensory differences can be overwhelmed by visual sensory input and they can also be under-responsive to visual input. Toys that provide just the right amount of visual stimulation can be the perfect choice. Consider purchasing Christmas gifts for your child like puzzles, light projectors, sensory lights, lava lamps, building blocks, sensory bottles and kaleidoscopes. 

Tactile Sensory Tools & Toys

Tactile input is often a challenge for children with sensory difficulties. Toys that provide tactile input can be very beneficial. Great tactile Christmas gift ideas could be sensory bin, playdough set, fidgets, slime, sensory friendly clothing, clay, sensory brush, washable paints and Floam.  

Olfactory Sensory Tools & Toys

Smell can be a very powerful sense for children with sensory processing disorder. It can be overwhelming but some children with sensory differences are under-responsive to smells. Consider buying Christmas gifts that use the sense of smell such as scented play dough, aromatherapy diffusers with child-safe essential oils, scented markers, scented stickers and scented bubbles:

Proprioception Sensory Tools & Toys

Proprioception is the sense of the body's position and movement in space. Children with sensory difficulties may have challenges with proprioception. Consider buying sensory tools for Christmas gifts that encourage movement and body awareness such as a balance board, trampoline, sensory body sock, weighted blanket, weighted lap pad, weighted stuffie, beanbag chair, resistance Bands, weighted vest, hula hoop, sensory tunnel and sensory compression clothing. 

Vestibular Sensory Tools & Toys

The vestibular system is for balance and movement. Children with sensory differences may have difficulty with vestibular input, making it hard for them to maintain their balance or movement. Consider buying sensory tools for Christmas that provide vestibular input like a swing, rocking horse, hammocks, sensory paths, mini trampolines, balance boards, wobble cushions, yoga ball, peanut ball, scooter, spin disk and climbing equipment. 

Interoceptive Sensory Tools & Toys

Interoception is the sense of the internal state of the body such as hunger, thirst and heart beats. Children with sensory processing disorder may have have challenges with interoception. This can make it hard for them to recognize and respond to their body's signals. Christmas ideas for a child who struggles with their interoception would be toys that helps children tune into their body such as weighted blanket, lap pad, yoga mat, body brushes, emotion books, mindfulness, games, breathing exercise tools or toys,  sensory bin, sensory bottle and mindfulness cards.  

Auditory Sensory Tools & Toys

Auditory input can be overwhelming for children with sensory processing disorder. Some children with sensory differences are under-responsive to sounds and may benefit from toys that make noise. When Christmas shopping you could consider sensory auditory tools and toys such as musical toys, talking books, sound machine, white noise machine, noise cancelling headphones, ear plugs, music therapy apps with soothing music or a pair of comfortable headphones for music. 

Gustatory Sensory Tools & Toys

Taste is another sense that can be affected by sensory processing disorder. Children with sensory differences may have aversions to certain textures or flavors or oral difficulties. When Christmas shopping, consider oral sensory tools that that engage the sense of taste, chew, suck and eat such as chewelry, chew necklaces, vibration oral motor tools, silicone soft tipped utensils, vibrating sensory spoon, textured plates, food trays, edible sensory bins, edible play dough, sensory-friendly snacks, cooking or baking tools.

There are a lot of different ways to integrate sensory tools into a sensory diet Christmas countdown for your child throughout the holidays. Some parents use sensory advent calendars with sensory surprises. Each day they fill each space with a small sensory items or sensory activities. This can be a fun way to build anticipation for Christmas while incorporating sensory regulation into their routine.  

Every child with sensory difficulties is unique and it is important to work with your child's occupational therapist or healthcare professional to understand your child's sensory needs and create a sensory diet for their specific needs.  Not all sensory tools are for all children who have sensory differences because all children have different sensory needs.