Customer Reviews

Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder

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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

Listen . . . Do you want to know A SECRET? I'm in love with this book. It's a true page-turner. If you are a parent or other adult caring for a child with SPD, please do yourself a favor. Read the book to learn about Lucy Jane Miller's creative and flexible technique for helping children with SPD, which is addressing the seven elements of her acronym: A SECRET. The seven elements are Attention, Sensation, Emotion regulation, Culture, Relationships, Environment, and Tasks. Addressing these elements will turn your child's world around, at home and school.

How do Lucy Miller and her co-author, Doris Fuller, manage to make this subject so interesting? They do it through vibrant stories of children and their families. As you read, you know these families, you feel for these families, you are these families. You want to learn what will happen next, and the authors oblige.

The book includes everything a parent needs: the basics of SPD, as only the world's expert on the subject can explain; examples of what it is like to live with sensational kids and how to provide the most appropriate environments for them at home and school; and further discussions of the science of SPD, the connection of SPD to ADHD, the prevalence of SPD, and intervention methods. The authors are compassionate, articulate, and exceptionally thorough. They answer questions that you may not have thought of asking, even if you are a knowledgeable, experienced parent, teacher, or therapist devoted to a child with SPD. When you finish reading, you will feel completely informed and satisfied -- and totally hopeful about your sensational kid.

Have you ever wanted to be a 'little mouse in the corner' to see what life is really like for children with a Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)? You can do that through Lucy Miller's new book, Sensational Kids. This book is truly sensational. I've been recommending it to a lot of the parents and teachers of students I service.

Part I includes the basics about Sensory Processing Disorder (background, symptoms and warning signs, assessment and diagnosis, treatment and strategies). Part II - Living with Sensational Kids is our opportunity to read about "a day in the life of" children with a Sensory Processing Disorder. In this section, Lucy introduces 5 case studies (typically developing child and four young children who each have a different Sensory Processing Disorder -- over-responsive, under-responsive, sensory-seeking, and dyspraxia). The section continues with these same children at an older age. Part III goes beyond the basics and includes the science of SPD, combination disorders, causes and prevalence, intervention methods and treatment effectiveness, and a personal message to parents.

This book could have been called "Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Sensory Processing Disorder but were Afraid to Ask." Not only is it informative, but it's very easy to read. I highly recommend the book.

I have just finished this book and it picks up where "The Out of Sync Child" (also an excellent book) left off. This should be required reading for pediatricians and teachers, since there are still many who either don't know or don't believe that SPD exists. Each chapter describes a day in the life of a child. One child is developing normally and the rest each have different types of SPD. The contrast between the "normal" child's day and the experiences of the SPD children is priceless in helping people understand what it feels like to be inside the mind and body of a kid with SPD. Lucy Jane Miller gives multiple strategies for coping with an SPD child's needs at home, at school and in the community and gives parents reassurance that things CAN get better with the proper care. If you know a sensory-challenged child, this book should be in your library.

My 3.5 year-old daughter was diagnosed with SPD (at that time it was called SID) when she was 8 months old, and has been in and out of OT ever since. Lately she has had some significant behavior problems, and we have tried multiple strategies that haven't worked. I'm a counselor and parent coach, and I was beginning to feel very inept because all the strategies that I teach my clients weren't working with my own child. When I started reading this book, I realized (duh!) that the behavior issues were caused by SPD, and, therefore, typical "behavior management" techniques don't work the same way. We have changed our framework in responding to her behavior, and my daughter has become the most cooperative and happy child overnight. Her teachers have even noticed a huge change from just giving her a big tight hug when she begins to "melt down." It's incredible! Our lives have been completely changed in just a few days. Thank you, Lucy, and we hope to see you soon at the STAR Center in Colorado!

I am an occupational therapist and always look for resources for parents and teachers who have children with special needs. This book is written by one of the "gurus" of sensory processing. The information is based on significant research as well as extensive clinical experience of Lucy Jane Miller. It contains the theoretical information which explains sensory processing problems, but it is very user friendly. It is easy to understand and doesn't just explain sensory processing, but provides strategies for helping a child with the problem as well. Full of information that can really make a difference. Highly recommended!

As a pediatric OT in private practice, this is the book I have been waiting for. I read it cover to cover in one sitting, so captivated by Lucy's clear descriptions and explainations of a subject that can sometimes seem overwhelming to parents and teachers. My copy now has a prominent place in our waiting room and is already dog-eared. If ever a book deserved to be on a "required reading" list for anyone who knows a "sensational kid", this is it!

Dr. Lucy Miller has written a book that gives plenty of scientific and research information and yet also remains incredibly warm and compassionate. Along with the research information, there are also many practical suggestions on how to work with these children in an effective and positive way. This is a truly wonderful resource whether you are a parent or a professional (medical professional or teacher) working with children who have sensory processing disorders.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

For helping shed light on some very perplexing mysteries.....

For your tireless efforts to reach across the lines of a multitude of professionals.....

For taking the complexity of the challenges of SPD and unwinding it with compassionate, practical, and now proven methodologies.

I am so grateful for your dedication and resolve to share with the world the knowledge you have gained through decades of research.

But most importantly, thank you for your guidance, wisdom and support through many difficult years. I am so honored to have been given the opportunity to share a portion of Rachel's story and am thrilled to think of the amazing bond the readers of your book will now have the pleasure to make with you, from the first page through the last. The opportunity to glean from your wealth of knowledge and understanding is undeniably a life-changing decision.

Well done! Truly, the smile on all of our faces is just that much brighter today!

Warmest wishes,

Cindy

I have not even read all the book yet, but I can tell you that it has taught me a LOT about the reasons why my child is doing the things she is. It has taught me a LOT about MYSELF and MY sensory issues. It is an AWESOME book to get.

Dr. Lucy Jane Miller's much anticipated new book "Sensational Kids" arrived in my mailbox yesterday. I couldn't wait to see it, and ripped open the mailing package at the end of my drive.

As I read Lucy's Introduction, I finally understood the source of her compassion, and endless dedication. With my face buried in the book, I muttered, "Order pizza, please...?" to my husband and settled into my chaise lounge. As much as I've learned the past five years about SPD, as many answers as I found, I knew in the first chapters I had found more. I was glued.

With great warmth and clarity, Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, and Doris Fuller weave a tapestry that is Sensory Processing Disorder, with a beautiful blend of children, family, facts and insight.

I heard the doves singing their night song outside my window as the evening shadows fell. I kept reading. I kept learning. The giggles of my own child singing in the bathtub faded from my hearing, as the words and feelings of other sensational children rang in my heart.

A warm cup of coffee was pressed into my hand, and my house settled into the deep silence of the night. I felt Lucy's presence beside me as she gently guided my thoughts toward new understanding, and taught me A SECRET. New tools, new concepts, brought new understanding.

I slipped into the lives of children with different forms of SPD, as a silent engaged observer, and the truth of our sensational children rings clear.
With better understanding, we can offer more hope, and more help.
These are the stories of all our children, written in a style that makes sense, one answer at a time. One child at a time.

I looked up as I heard the doves sing good morning, and the sun rose on a new day filled with more hope than I ever imagined. I closed the book, with a contented sigh, on the last page. With tears in my eyes, and a smile on my lips, I knew this book will be with me every day. My guide and my own personal reminder of hope. Now I've got A SECRET! And I intend to share it...

There is not one of us, therapist, teacher or parent who wouldn't benefit by reading this book. I am touched beyond measure. I am elated for her, and know this book will open doors that have been closed and the eyes of those who could not see.

New concepts, categories, and strategies. And...A SECRET from Lucy to you, that will be an invaluable tool for you. Buy this book, read this book, any way you can.

Thank you, Lucy!

Michelle Morris

Parent of sensational child Michael
National Administrator
SPD Parent S.H.A.R.E.