Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with SensoryProcessing Issues [Paperback]

Lindsey Biel (Author), Nancy Peske (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 25, 2009

For children with sensory difficulties-those who struggle to process everyday sensations and exhibit unusual behaviors such as avoiding or seeking out touch, movement, sounds, and sights-this groundbreaking book is an invaluable resource. Sensory integration dysfunction, also known as sensory processing disorder, affects all kinds of children-from those with developmental delays, attention problems, or autism spectrum disorders, to those without any other issues. Coauthored by a pediatric occupational therapist and a parent of a child with sensory issues, this updated and expanded edition of Raising a Sensory Smart Child is comprehensive and more helpful than ever.

Learn:

* How the senses actually work and integrate with each other
* How and where to get the very best professional help
* "Sensory diet" activities that meet your child's needs--including new tips and ideas for kids, teens, adults, and families
* Practical solutions for daily challenges-from brushing teeth to getting dressed to picky eating to family gatherings
* Using "sensory smarts" to help children with developmental delays, learning, and attention problems
* The special challenges of helping children with autism and sensory issues
* Ways to advocate for your child at school and make schools "sensory smart"
* How to empower your child and teen in the world
* Complementary therapies, resources, and helpful web sites

In all, the most comprehensive guide to sensory processing challenges is now more detailed and useful than ever. Loved and celebrated by parents, teachers, therapists, doctors and others, the new edition of Raising a Sensory Smart Child is a must-have volume for anyone who cares about a child with sensory issues.

***WINNER of the NAPPA GOLD AWARD and iPARENTING MEDIA AWARD***

Editorial Reviews

Review

" A must read for all parents who have children with sensory integration issues."
-Larry B. Silver, M.D., author of The Misunderstood Child

"At last, here are the insights and answers parents have been searching for."
-Dr. Temple Grandin

About the Author

Lindsey Biel, M.A., OTR/L, is an occupational therapist specializing in pediatrics.

Nancy Peske is the coauthor of the Cinematherapy series. She lives in Shorewood, Wisconsin with her husband and son, who was diagnosed with SI dysfunction when he was two.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Books; Revised edition (August 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0143115340
• ISBN-13: 978-0143115342
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (84 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,270 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Special Needs > Disabilities

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

194 of 194 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars therapist March 23, 2005

By S.M.

Format:Paperback

This is one of 2 great books on the market for sensory integration issues (SI). While the Out of Sync Child deals mostly with what SI is, this book offers help directly to the parent with what they face daily and provides a breif intro to what SI is. This book is chalked full of helpful resources from where to find SI products, to help with IEPs,on line support groups and how to help a teen with SI issues. This is a well rounded book that is more useful for younger kids' parents but would be an asset for those with older kids as well.

I've never written a review before but this book really impressed me to do so because it is such an important contribution to the literature available for SI.

173 of 175 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best and most practical guide for anyone who wants to understand and help a child with sensory integration!!! October 10, 2005

By K. Feit

Format:Paperback

I am a mother of a sensory child. This book changed my life, and it is an essential resource for anyone who wants to learn or help a child with sensory integration. It is my "Bible".

Unlike most books on sensory integration, it was written by a mother Nancy Peske, and an OT, Lindsey Biel, who understand what it is like to have and raise and treat a sensory child. It is easy to read and understand and begins by telling a story of Nancy Peske's own personal experiences with her own child to explain what it is like to have a sensory child, and to accept that you have a sensory child and how to help your sensory child.

This wonderful book provides practical solutions for everyday living. This book truly helps you to understand what sensory issues are, and what the technical language means (in easy to understand explanations and examples).

This book is the best I have ever read with respect to providing specific techniques you can use to help your sensory child to eat, play, sleep and learn efficiently, to focus, to pay attention, to organize, to self-regulate and so much more.

This book also tells you what you can do as a parent to help advocate for your child. It provides the steps for evaluation, and the types of therapies which are available at home and what to expect when you work with an OT. The book also contains information on how to set up an IEP or a 504 plan for your child and how to get the services you need to help your child.

This book is extremely practical and what I like the best about it, is that is written like a handbook, so that if you already are familiar with sensory integration, you can read any chapter without having to read the entire book to find the resources that you need. The book provides plenty of links to current research and valuable sources of information in books, videos, DVDs and online, which have made such a huge difference in my life and my son's life!

I have read all the books and research on the internet out there on sensory integration and this book is definitely the best. I recommend it to any parent, teacher, caregiver, OT or friend who wants to help understand and/or successfully treat a child with sensory integration.

I highly recommend that you also read the Out of Sync Child, and the Out of Sync Child Has Fun, by Carol Stock Kranowitz which are also essential resources on sensory integration.

102 of 106 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars We've been to a neuropsychologist May 8, 2006

By K. Enlow

Format:Paperback

I've never left a review before, but wanted to do so after reading another review that basically called sensory integration disorder a made-up quack diagnosis. I have taken my 4 year old to a pediatric neurologist, a pediatric neuropsychologist, and 2 occupational therapists. ALL of them diagnosed him with sensory integation disorder. This is a real condition, and needs to be addressed and treated. After 5 months in OT, we are seeing huge improvements. Experts do diagnose SID, and OT does work. There is little out there in terms of reading resources, and I'm happy to have any information. After 3 years of thinking my son was a bit quirky, it's a blessing to read that he is not alone.