Night sensory diet

Because we are having such extremes of behaviors lately our OT has suggested a new night time sensory diet. We have never had to have a big "to do" at night but it looks like we are there. It is a lot (about an hour) but if it minimizes the 45 minute tantrums it will be worth the extra 15 minutes. Here is what the new OT has outlined for us:

- A hot bubble bath. As hot as they will tolerate without burning them. In the bath they will chew on chewy tubes, blow bubbles, blow whistles and other forms of oral input.

- Use scented bubble bath on a loofah.

- After bath we will dry them (using a rough stroke) with an air dried towel (a little stiffer than dryer dried). That will be followed up with scented lotion to apply in a form massage type fashion.

- After bath they are to be put in tight fitting pajamas.

- We will then do 15 minutes of rough play. This part seemed counter intuitive to me but the explanation had me buying it.

- We follow up rough play with some squishes, hugs and compressions.

- After rough play is a snack and drink. This is when we turn the lights down and turn off the TV.

- Next are a couple of books and then bed. The hope is that it will minimize tantrums and help with sleep.

I'll post an update when we have tried it a couple of days. The OT assured us that if it is going to work it should be within a couple of days.