Sensory Diet Planning for Overstimulation

Help your autistic learners thrive in the classroom and beyond with this complete sensory diet toolkit that will allow you to create a sensory diet for each learner.

If you're a parent, educator, or therapist who feels lost when trying to understand the sensory processing issues of young autistic learners and are looking for a way to go beyond reactionary approaches to create an environment that is neuro-affirming, this is the toolkit for you! The 35-page guide was created by professionals who understand the challenges faced by preschool through 1st grade educators and provides clear, easy-to-follow instructions to create, implement and track an effective sensory diet. This is more than just worksheets; it is a complete evidence-based professional development program helping you develop your skills as a sensory detective using evidence-based data.

What’s Included in This Evidence-Based Toolkit:

Phase 1: Comprehensive Theory & Methodology (10 Pages): This section offers a thorough guide detailing the neurobiology of sensory overstimulation, the often-overlooked senses such as proprioception, vestibular awareness, and interoception. Additionally, it covers fundamental concepts regarding a sensory diet and features case studies to enhance practical understanding.

Phase 2: Student Workbook & Facilitator Tracking Tools (17 Pages): This part comprises a collection of 11 clinical-grade worksheets intended for educators and parents to monitor, assess, and address sensory needs. These tools include:

- Tracker for Sensory Baseline & Arousal State

- Guides for Proprioceptive, Vestibular, and Tactile "Brain Breaks"

- Early Warning Signs Tracker for Overstimulation

- Audit Checklist for Classroom Environmental Triggers

- "My Body Feels..." Interoception Check-In with an accompanying visual chart designed for students!

- And much more!

In this section of the Toolkit there are important visual representations and other teaching materials to provide you with what you need for an effective system of Supports.

Phase 3: includes visual representation(s) of the "Escalation & Intervention Cycle" (Examples: Conceptual Diagrams - for use in understanding the steps in the Cycle).

- "Brain Break Taxonomy" flowchart - allowing you to tie interventions to specific behaviours in the Escalation Cycle.

- Teacher Implementation Guide, with details on how to implement the components of the toolkit as well as a neurodiversity-affirming perspective.

- Model Documentation - showing you how to complete trackers for maximum effect.

The contents of your Toolkit will help you transition from "Behaviour Management" (i.e. behaviour modification techniques/strategies) to "Neurological Support" (ie supporting learners by providing specific tools & strategies for self-regulation) through concrete examples identifying the root causes of behaviours, preventing crises before they happen and teaching learners through respectful means."

Reasons That Parents/Schools Appreciate It:

Proactive vs Reactive: Rather than only reacting to incidents of sensory overload or meltdowns, it provides a data-based system for helping to identify causes of the issue and preventing future occurrences through additional data tracking tools.

All-in-one vs completing multiple worksheets: This program is designed as a complete curriculum including theory, tracking, intervention and teacher guides. All resources are provided in one location, reducing the burden on the parent and/or educator having to independently find and create all the resources.

Creates Consistency in Support throughout Home/School: The program has been designed to provide tools that can be used and shared between home and school, providing a system of support for the child, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Empowering and approves of Neurodiversity: The program promotes the understanding and support of a child’s neurological needs with dignity and respect thereby eliminating the need to use antiquated methods of behavior modification.

Immediate Implementation: The program was designed for immediate use in a real-world situation with written and sample instructions included; therefore, it is easy for all educators to implement new strategies into day-to-day teaching.

Depending on the content and language used in the PDF, the target audience should be:

Grade Level: Pre-K, Kindergarten, and First Grade (in particular, the age range of 4-7 years old).

Primary Audience:

Special Education Teachers, Occupational Therapists , School Psychologists, Board Certified Behaviour Analysts with a Neurological Understanding of Autism (would find guide useful).

Inclusion Classroom General Education Teachers

Paraprofessionals, Teacher Aides, Support Staff (including training/employment opportunities)

Secondary Audience:

Inclusion Classroom Teachers—General Education

Knowledgeable and Engaged Parents of Autistic Students who are involved in their child's Sensory Plan and collaborating with the school team.

Copyright / Terms of Use:

Syed Hammad Rizvi copyrighted this book. This resource is for your personal use as well as only one classroom. You may not modify, redistribute, or sell any section of this resource, thus making it available on the Internet for anyone to find publicly and download.

If you'd like to share this resource with colleagues, please purchase additional licenses through Teachsimple. Your respect for these terms of use is appreciated.

Syed Hammad Rizvi is delighted to provide this product to you!