What is a sensory diet?

A sensory diet refers to a planned and scheduled daily activity program designed to meet an individual's sensory needs. It includes specific activities and sensory experiences tailored to help individuals who may have sensory processing challenges regulate their responses to sensory input. This tailored approach aims to provide the right kind and amount of sensory input throughout the day, enabling individuals to maintain focus, calmness, and self-regulation in various environments, such as home, school, or work.

By incorporating a variety of sensory experiences into a structured routine, a sensory diet helps individuals achieve a balance of sensory input, which can support better emotional responses and behavior. This approach is particularly beneficial for children and adults who may be overwhelmed or under-responsive to sensory stimuli.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the concept of a sensory diet. Sensory processing speed measures how quickly a person can respond to sensory information, while options related to cognitive enhancement through food do not capture the essence of a sensory diet's purpose.