Meghan's World: The Story of One Girl's Triumph over Sensory Processing Disorder [Hardcover]

Diane M. Renna (Author), Regina Stark (Illustrator)

Book Description

MEGHAN'S WORLD is a true story about one girl's triumph over Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). The story validates children's feelings and offers parents and teachers a look into the world of a child suffering from SPD. This book was inspired by Meghan's first school show and her behaviors before, during, and after the event. The story briefly explains the therapies Meghan did to help her overcome and loose diagnosis of her SPD and lists resources for reference. MEGHAN'S WORLD ends with an "About Me" page so parents can start a dialogue with their child - leading to insight about their own child's needs and wants. MEGHAN'S WORLD is a great book for children with diagnoses on the autism spectrum. It helps to promote understanding and social growth. Parents and teachers can help their children/students grow into their own accomplishments by learning how Meghan has dealt with the following issues: * Sensory Modulation * Sound Sensitivity * Social Insecurity * Hypo/Hyper-Responsiveness * Tactile Defensiveness * Visual Perception * Sensory Processing * Allergies/Food Intolerance Note from Meghan's Mom/Author: Meghan is my daughter and this story is based on her first preschool show. She is not a fictional character. The therapies she did are listed in the order of how she did them, not every day...but, over a period of time. As time went on, the symptoms of her SPD improved and then diminished. You can read more about Meghan's complete journey at meghanstriumphoverspd.com. Meghan lost diagnosis of her SPD around 1st/2nd Grade. In Sixth Grade...she was the star of the grade's school play. Presently, she is a happy, healthy teenager. You would never know she had any issues as a child. We wrote this book for other children/families in similar circumstances...to give them inspiration, hope, guidance, and help. You can best utilized this book by reading the story with your child. Then go to the "About Me" pages in the back and open a dialouge to further see and compare how your child feels. You may find out that your child has similar issues and/or you may find out he/she may have other intolerances. Then you hit the internet and research the therapies listed in the "Therapies and Helpful Information" section or on our website links to learn more about a particular traditional or alternative therapy that may help your child. Best wishes to you and your family. We hope you find the success our family has had. SPD comes with many gifts...expand upon those as well. Meghan loves the flute, singing, drawing, painting, tennis...shine bright and be all you can be!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This beautiful and easy-to-read story about very complicated and life-altering issues brings Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) to life through the gentle words of Meghan's mother. Families, friends, teachers, and therapists can share this book with each other to promote understanding, compassion, and hope. As I travel across the world, spreading the news about SPD, I will be sharing this book with everyone I meet." --Diana A. Henry, MS, OTR/L

"This book is a must-read for all children and all parents of children diagnosed with SPD. My daugher (age six) loved reading about another child who has undergone many of the same treatments, and has had the same emotions as herself. As a parent, the book was informative, encouraging, and inspirational. It really does help to hear what other families have done for their children suffering with this often misunderstood disorder." --Allison Lynne, author of THE DOLLY ADVENTURES, and mother of children with SPD

"MEGHAN'S WORLD is written in simple enough language for children to understand, but gives parents some important information as well. Children with sensory processing disorders can easily relate to it, as one child exclaimed, 'That's like me!' The illustrations are beautiful and engaging. Parents and professionals should have it in their library. I highly recommend it!" --Jeanne S. Ganz, OTR/L, BCP

"This book is a must-read for all children and all parents of children diagnosed with SPD. My daugher (age six) loved reading about another child who has undergone many of the same treatments, and has had the same emotions as herself. As a parent, the book was informative, encouraging, and inspirational. It really does help to hear what other families have done for their children suffering with this often misunderstood disorder." --Allison Lynne, author of THE DOLLY ADVENTURES, and mother of children with SPD

"MEGHAN'S WORLD is written in simple enough language for children to understand, but gives parents some important information as well. Children with sensory processing disorders can easily relate to it, as one child exclaimed, 'That's like me!' The illustrations are beautiful and engaging. Parents and professionals should have it in their library. I highly recommend it!" --Jeanne S. Ganz, OTR/L, BCP

Thank you so much for your book. It is truly inspirational. I found it while doing an online search about SPD for my daughter. It is our favorie book to read together. Finally, I can answer her question that yes, there are other kids out there like you. She related to the struggles getting dressed, the OT sessions and the brushing....Many thanks for your help and for telling Meghan's story." --Helena 1/1/11

Hi Diane, you may not remember me, but I had emailed you with questions regarding Berard AIT for my daughter, who was sounding suspiciously like your daughter Meghan. My daughter went thru Berard in April and what a difference. She's not the same kid today that she was six months ago. So many of her challenges have resolved, it's hard to put them all down in one place, but I can't thank you enough for your input - your feedback helped put us over the hump with deciding to do Berard and it was the best decision we ever made. The changes have been profound. As you said, it's all good. We're likely going to delve into enzymes next (one thing at a time), but just wanted to extend my thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience. It helped us a lot. Be well, LB" Hi Diane, I just wanted to send you an update and a thank you. Your insights regarding Meghan were so helpful to us on our journey - I have one other question and wanted to share a resource with you. Resource: Berard was definitely helpful in getting us part of the way there with (my daughter's) auditory sensitivity. We just did another program (Fast ForWord) which is technically supposed to be a literacy program (which my daughter) didn't need, because she was already reading) but we did it for the ancillary benefits around the retaining with hearing. It has definitely been a further refinement of the Berard intervention and has taken her to a whole new level - especially with ability to filter out background noise. Not sure if this is still an issue for Meghan, but I thought I'd pass along the resource in case you are interested. I learned about it in the Norman Doidge book, "The Brain that Changes Itself." You can learn more about the program at scientificlearning.com....thanks a million for all your help! - LB (5/25/09) --lb

About the Author

Diane M. Renna resides in Long Island, NY with her husband, Lorenzo and their children, Meghan, Michael, and Gavin. In 1998, she left work in NYC to become a stay-at-home mom. Diane, Meghan, and Michael are all affected in some way with sensory integration dysfunction. However, Meghan's sensory issues were more severe and affected her daily life tremendously. Diane read and learned all she could about SPD. She never complained or gave up hope. She investigated and tried alternative therapies with the vision of helping her children. She understood and wanted to make their world a safe and comfortable place. Diane has dedicated her time to helping children with SPD. She wants to reach as many families as possible. Presently, the family is happy, healthy, and enjoys doing the things they weren't able to do in the past. SPD is no longer a jail-keeper to their lives. The Renna family hopes Meghan's story will inspire and heal other families dealing with SPD.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Indigo Impressions (March 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978833902
• ISBN-13: 978-0978833909
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,305 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Love This Book!, September 12, 2008

By 

Lindsey Biel "OTR/L, Coauthor, Raising A Sens... (New York City) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Meghan's World: The Story of One Girl's Triumph over Sensory Processing Disorder (Hardcover)

As a pediatric OT, and as the coauthor of Raising a Sensory Smart Child, I highly recommend this lovely book. Kids with sensory processing issues often feel very isolated, as if only they are distressed by everyday sensory challenges that do not seem to bother anyone else. It can be profoundly comforting to a child to know she is not alone in experiencing what she feels. It also "normalizes" the interventions used to help her--such as using sensory gym equipment, getting "brushed," or listening to special music over headphones. While not every child with sensory issues needs all of the interventions described in the book (such as a special diet), this also opens up an important dialogue between parents and kids about activities that help children feel and function better.
--Lindsey Biel, [...]

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, October 23, 2007

By 

Monica L. Rignola - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Meghan's World: The Story of One Girl's Triumph over Sensory Processing Disorder (Hardcover)

As a mother of two children with sensory issues I thought this was a great book describing SPD in its simplist
form. I used many of the techniques the author talked about and thought she did a great job of putting it in a fun, beautifully illustrated, child friendly book. I have purchased it for friends with kids that were exhibiting some sensory issues, hoping to shed some light on what might be SPD or at the very least just to try some of the therapies they might find helpful. I love the personal journal in the back too. I would highly recommend it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic book cou;d realte to every page, April 3, 2007

By 

Michelle Diamond - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Meghan's World: The Story of One Girl's Triumph over Sensory Processing Disorder (Hardcover)

I ordered this book for my son who has SPD and some other unofficial diagnosis...It is a great book to read to any child with sensory issues especially if you are doing the off the cuff treatment route as we are. Everything in the book we could relate to. If we are in a hurry I summarize some of it and since my son is almost 3 he is old enough to understand the similarities....Thanks Diane for a great book!!!

Michelle
Mom of Joseph 33 months