OBP Child – Behavior and Sensory Theories in Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practice Test

A sensory diet is a personalized plan of sensory experiences designed to help a child regulate arousal and participate across daily activities. It’s tailored to the individual and adjusted by how the child responds, weaving both calming and alerting activities into routines from morning preparation to classroom tasks and play. Calming inputs like deep pressure or heavy work can help settle over-arousal, while alerting inputs like brisk movement or rapid vestibular input can boost attention when needed. The goal is to maintain an optimal level of arousal so the child can attend, engage, and self-regulate more effectively. It’s not a fixed cooking plan, a medication schedule, or a school curriculum.