Why I Keep Sour Candy at My Desk
By Abby Davis, MS OTR/L
An Occupational Therapist’s Favorite Sensory Strategy for Regulation
As an occupational therapist, much of my job is helping children regulate. A secret tool I use for regulation: sour foods! But first: let’s cover the basics.
What is regulation, you ask?
Regulation is our ability to notice signals from our bodies and our environment and create a “just right fit” for the task we are doing!
For example:
As an adult, I “self-regulate” after work by winding down with a hobby, having a crunchy snack, going on a walk, or resting my body and mind.
There are MANY ways to self-regulate, and we all have our own strategies!
In occupational therapy, we help children and families find unique ways to regulate that work for the individual needs of their children, household dynamics, and environmental demands.
One of my favorite ways to regulate is through oral sensory input!
There are so many resources across multiple categories, such as food or toys, that can help provide sensory input:
- chewy toys
- chewing gum
- oral vibration toys
- crunchy foods
- chewy/firm foods
- SOUR FOODS!
Sour foods provide a unique and BOLD oral sensory experience! Think about the last time you tried a Warhead candy! Eating this type of sour food is a very intense sensory experience that helps:
- interrupt racing thoughts
- ground us to the present moment
- physically stimulate the nervous system (if you want another research area, check out nasal nerve stimulation!)
- can help slow anxiety or panic attack symptoms
At my desk at work, I keep tart/sour chewing gum, Warhead chews, Sour Patch Kids, and even salt and vinegar chips. All these foods work to help me regulate through a busy workday.
Here are some other great examples that can be enjoyed on the go or at home:
- Lemon wedges — lick or suck briefly
- Lime wedges
- Sour gummy worms
- Sour gummy bears
- Warheads or other very sour hard candies
- Sour Skittles
- Sour belts/strips
- Sour apple candy
- Lemon drops
- Lemonade
- Limeade
- Diluted lemon water
- Pickle slices or pickle juice
- Tart fruit — green apple, kiwi, grapefruit, pineapple, or sour berries
If your child enjoys a food or item on this list - consider keeping some sour candies on hand for:
- after school regulation
- sensory supports for a community event or church service
- homework snacks
- lunch box treats
- car ride snacks
- pre-doctors’ appointment snacks
- prior to going to a family event or birthday party
- prior to eating out, going to a busy location
how hogg therapy can help
This Halloween season, consider making a "sensory stash" with some sour or chewy candy that you can reach for to help you or your child regulate! Separating the candy into categories is also a fun activity you can do together while talking about sensory experiences.
If you think your child could benefit from occupational therapy, we are here to help! Read more about Occupational Therapy services on our website. Give us a call at 859-353-3666 to schedule an evaluation, or use our free screening tool to learn more. We can help your child play their way to success!
![We’ve loved seeing your stories roll in over the past couple weeks and wanted to share one of our own, thanks to therapists Lauren & Maya and their friend Tiffany. ❤️
Last week, OT Ms. Lauren and ST Ms. Maya accompanied Tiffany on a HUGE adventure, attending the Special Needs Camp of Kentucky for activities, friendship, and growth ? Headquartered in Bath County, SNCKI is free to attend, with nearly 100 campers enrolled this year! Ms. Lauren shared her thoughts with the HTP team when she got home: “The other campers welcomed [Tiffany] with open arms, and she made so many new friends…A space where 76 teens/adults with disabilities of all kinds were free to just be them and make those connections with each other while having tons of fun. We have had moments that were trickier to navigate, but we did it together.”
One of the nights was family and community night, featuring a group dance and a talent showcase. ?Lauren said, “The amount of love and support in the gym was out of this world. For her mom to see that, to know that we’ve got her girl no matter what, means more than any treatment code or note I could ever write. She is already asking when she gets to come back…and even told her mom to ‘buy a new house at camp’? If you are not already, follow Special Needs Connections of Kentucky, Inc on facebook. They are doing such AMAZING things for our community here and deserve so much support.” ? We couldn’t agree more!
Therapy isn’t about treatment codes, billable hours, documentation, or recertification. It’s about the meaningful moments and the love we pour into these children every single day. This is why Hogg Therapy exists—to give every child the opportunity to experience a meaningful, joyful life. ✨ Thank you, Lauren and Maya for your support both in and outside of the clinic and for sharing this story! ?](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/747807719_18212073508337241_9129116297997701917_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=F0g-psphO9wQ7kNvwEmiJsK&_nc_oc=AdrQdyRjQybV53nOgswptLNvWjI7Me5ksR_bXBpyc9LBow4u0HIolFAd3cBsFyfHlXY&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=S6IJGpG5kXd-w4X0yxq-9A&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQIvs3mxeTBDQltDSgatNNjH_D7ntqHsYfNpanmU7uq9zllDGzdaWvSxiFyAOQpT6YhC8P00JnKxnw&oh=00_AQMns5y0Dm-NFq9a982IHpsbavU5leZWLhwvAqgSaHVNUg&oe=6AC5F4CA)
![We’re sharing an occupational therapy success story from OT Mrs. Abby today! ? Meet Grayson! When he first started occupational therapy, everyday life felt hard. He was experiencing significant picky eating, struggled with daily routines and transitions, and had a difficult time managing big emotions.
Since then, Grayson has put in so much hard work. Through OT, he has built confidence, strengthened his self-regulation skills, and learned to take on new and challenging tasks with courage. Every small step has added up to something truly amazing! One of the biggest reasons for Grayson’s success has been the incredible partnership with his parents. They fully embraced therapy beyond the clinic by consistently practicing strategies at home through his Home Exercise Program (HEP). Their dedication, encouragement, and willingness to try new approaches have made all the difference.
Today, Grayson is trying new foods every week, navigating daily routines with greater independence, and enjoying more successful, joyful moments with his family. His growth is a wonderful reminder of what can happen when a determined child, committed caregivers, and a supportive therapy team work together.
?Congratulations, Grayson! We are so proud of everything you’ve accomplished, and we’re celebrating your amazing parents, too. Your hard work, perseverance, and teamwork are inspiring! ?
[This story & all photos shared with parent permission ??] #occupationaltherapy #hoggtherapypediatrics #hoggtherapy #feedingtherapy](https://scontent-iad6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/742695277_18211398901337241_3568386461214310976_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=PqSt0p8DiMYQ7kNvwHChewM&_nc_oc=AdrR3VwVNzYyloyeU65t-kswwfNmaBqZhjLgpSdpOmbnsA_VficV_NU16PcW1skeo-U&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=S6IJGpG5kXd-w4X0yxq-9A&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKwXdIX1S_e7O1ru9nkTvRXTBmI9WdL0dFkynq0YBcnmHZ0XvvmjjkZmR8H-jwjErkVC5AEo4g-zQ&oh=00_AQMcAWp95PnhEKRFdxj3b-8qV46odg9pAZnzGm8lIwz9Rg&oe=6AC5D34E)
