Sensory Processing Disorder Diet

Sensory processing disorder, sometimes called sensory integration disorder, causes patients to experience overwhelming emotions when confronted by common visual, auditory, skin, smell and movement stimuli. Feelings of anger, frustration, pain and despair can contribute to tantrums, rages, hysteria, withdrawal and depression. A sensory processing disorder diet can reduce these episodes.

What is a Sensory Processing Disorder Diet?

• We all experience negative reactions to some stimuli. Most of us consciously choose to avoid streets where construction is underway, close windows when our neighbors' barbecue smoke blows in and avoid people who wear too much cologne. A sensory processing disorder diet is simply applying the same methodology to a wider variety of stimuli. It is making a conscious decision to remove a certain set of sounds, sights, smells, tastes and movement from an environment that will be inhabited by a person who dislikes that stimuli.
  On rare occasion, it may mean adding stimuli to a given environment. There are some people who find specific movements, sights, sounds and smells comforting. Adding these to a room may make them feel much more comfortable.

How to Create a Sensory Processing Disorder Diet

• Start by logging all the stimuli that effect the patient. Look for specific stimuli that are present when breakdowns occur and ask the patient to tell you what has caused the response. It may be a scratchy shirt or a bright light. It may be toys scattered all over the floor or the beeps and whistles of a video game.
  Create a list of specific stimuli that cause the unwanted emotions.
  Add to the list any stimuli the patient appears to find soothing. Place these elements in the environment. Where appropriate, for small children, schedule activities that incorporate these soothing stimuli. Once you have this list, you are in a position to start tailoring home, work, school and bedroom environments to be more comfortable for the patient.

Common Elements

• Many people find the presence of visual clutter on the ground or wall disturbing. Flat-faced storage boxes, dull colors, few posters or paintings, carpets with no pattern and simple, natural furniture materials make these people feel more comfortable. Shades that eliminate bright light and incandescent bulbs for light fixtures may also be valuable.
  Those with auditory stimuli aversion issues benefit from extra insulation in walls, heavy curtains over windows and banishment of television or video game consoles. Those will smell stimuli aversions may appreciate it when the use of cologne and incense is discouraged. They may prefer used clothes and shoes to new ones. They may prefer old carpet to new carpet and may need freshly painted rooms to air out for several days or weeks before they feel comfortable.

Implementing a Sensory Disorder Diet

• Whether you are a patient with this disorder or someone who cares for a person who suffers with it, implementing a sensory disorder diet may make your live much more livable. One cannot apply the diet to the whole world, but having islands of calm can make it easier to deal with chaos when required.