If you have a child or have a student who resorts to dealing with their own methods of Sensory input, you might want to try a Sensory Diet.  I worked in a couple of schools and I have come across various children who have behaviors like:

• Rocking
• Swinging of hands in the air
• Rubbing on cotton
• Humming

You know, the behaviors that when done impulsively in a classroom can be very disruptive to the rest of the students. When some of my staff decided to try Sensory Diets in the classroom I was very happy but apprehensive. They started using it in class and the student and as a result the students started becoming part of the class rather than the disruption.

 Ex: The class was made aware that everyday before reading time Sammy has to go to the sensory area. Once put into play and repeated this became a less stressful time for Sammy and a less disruptive time for the rest of the class.

 I went to a workshop that taught me that when Sensory Diets are done properly it can develop a change in the nervous system that in time can help regulate sensory input and as a result the student becomes a more productive student in class.

After watching the teachers for a while, I decided to try it at home with my own son to see how it would work for me. I noticed and so did the whole house that my son Akyli Ewell always rocked and hummed very loudly and whenever he did this it would disrupt some of the members of the family. So I explained the sensory diet and what I have seen in school and everybody was willing to try it. I decided to buy Akyli a nice comfy chair and place it in the living room. Everyone was told that at lunch time before nap, 4:30pm before homework, and at night before bedtime Akyli will sit in his chair and be allowed to rock and hum softly. If Akyli started to hum too loudly we woudl tell him so that he would become aware and would tell him to tone it down.

 This really worked for us and  helped with transitioning at an already stressful time at home. After some time we noticed Akyli would rock but wouldn't hum anymore. Now Akyli only rocks before homework and at bedtime.