Tag: Occupational therapy

Approximately 1 in 20 adults experience symptoms consistent with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), indicating a significant need for effective self-regulation strategies. For those individuals, a sensory diet can provide a structured approach to managing sensory input throughout the day and achieving an optimal state of alertness and calm.

According to healthcare professionals, a mealtime management plan is typically developed by a multi-disciplinary team, with a speech pathologist often taking the lead for dysphagia cases. This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of an individual's feeding challenges, from swallowing mechanics to nutritional needs, are addressed in a comprehensive and personalized manner.

According to pediatric therapists, providing a stable, seated position is the first step toward overcoming mealtime struggles and can significantly improve feeding outcomes. This foundational principle is what is the 90-90-90 position for feeding, a key strategy for supporting safe and successful eating.

Occupational therapists and parents commonly use sensory diets, often misunderstood as a food regimen, to help individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) regulate their sensory systems. This tailored approach involves a series of physical activities and sensory inputs rather than controlling specific food intake, though diet can support overall neurological function.