Whare are IEP and 504 accommodations for sensory processing issues?

Sensory issues, regardless of their cause or nature, can make it extremely uncomfortable for kiddos living with these issues to navigate the world. A well-designed sensory diet can help alleviate that discomfort. How your child’s sensory diet will look depends on their specific sensory profile (sensory-seeking and/or sensory-avoiding) and the severity of their behaviors in response to sensory discomfort.

Like any other accommodation, a sensory diet should be incorporated into an IEP if your school district’s occupational therapist deems it necessary for your child to access their education, Dr. Pelangka says. It should be included in the Accommodations and Supplementary Aids and Supports sections of the IEP, and your child’s school should purchase any products required to carry out the diet — not you.

To learn more and find examples, see our article Sensory Processing Disorder and Sensory Diets.