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Learn to Have Fun with Your Senses: The Sensory Avoider's Survival Guide
This book represents an introduction to the human senses for kids. It might be your child’s first “read about your own problems” guide. It explains what can go wrong when the brain inappropriately magnifies the messages sense organs send to it. Making inappropriate responses to sensory input from various senses is commonly referred to as sensory processing disorder, or SPD. The child avoids, resists, or becomes emotionally upset about experiencing sensory awareness, to a level that significantly interferes with a child’s ability to perform the necessary major functions of daily living. This book is a therapy guide for any child with sensory issues.
110 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
7 people want to read
About the author
John Taylor
1,510 books23 followersLibrarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 16, 2020
This would be a good book for ASD kids who have good reading comprehension skills and are scientific minded. Parents can read with the their kids and explore the sense today, implementing experiments and fun daily.
October 27, 2011
I was instantly drawn to this book with its colorful pages and fun illustrations, and I was even more impressed once I started reading it. Although I have read a lot of books about sensory processing disorder, including several with lots of great activities and ideas to help your child with SPD, this is the first time I have read one aimed directly at children.
Described as a “read about your own problems” guide, the book focuses on the issues that can crop up when the brain is magnifying the messages it receives from the sense organs, especially as it relates to avoidance of sensory stimulation.
I showed the book to my son tonight and read chapter 1 aloud to him. He showed a lot of interest and listened attentively as I read. I found it to be extremely readable and right at his level (he is 9), and I appreciated that the author takes the time to explain how to use the book and encourages the child to communicate with and respect the opinion of his parents and therapists regarding the activities described in the book.
Dr. Taylor also does a great job of explaining without being critical why avoiding things isn’t the best choice:
"Trying to stop using your senses is NOT the answer. Going through life always afraid to touch, hear, or taste things that others touch, listen to, and taste is also NOT the answer. The answer is to go ahead and use your senses, but in special ways. This book will help you learn the ways to use your senses so that they slowly start to feel better to you over time."
A number of the chapters include checklists or quizzes, which enhances the interactive learning component of the book, and each chapter has a nicely balanced ratio of information to suggestions of how to “train your brain.” In addition to going through the senses individually, the book also covers topics such as eating the right foods, getting the right sleep and taking good care of yourself.
Dr. Taylor rounds out the book with a glossary and list of resources, as well as notes to OTs and teachers. My son has agreed to let me show the book to his OT as long as she doesn’t try to “take over” and we can continue going through it together on our own. I am absolutely thrilled that he is so interested in learning more about this topic with me; I think it is a great first step towards becoming responsible for taking care of himself.
Described as a “read about your own problems” guide, the book focuses on the issues that can crop up when the brain is magnifying the messages it receives from the sense organs, especially as it relates to avoidance of sensory stimulation.
I showed the book to my son tonight and read chapter 1 aloud to him. He showed a lot of interest and listened attentively as I read. I found it to be extremely readable and right at his level (he is 9), and I appreciated that the author takes the time to explain how to use the book and encourages the child to communicate with and respect the opinion of his parents and therapists regarding the activities described in the book.
Dr. Taylor also does a great job of explaining without being critical why avoiding things isn’t the best choice:
"Trying to stop using your senses is NOT the answer. Going through life always afraid to touch, hear, or taste things that others touch, listen to, and taste is also NOT the answer. The answer is to go ahead and use your senses, but in special ways. This book will help you learn the ways to use your senses so that they slowly start to feel better to you over time."
A number of the chapters include checklists or quizzes, which enhances the interactive learning component of the book, and each chapter has a nicely balanced ratio of information to suggestions of how to “train your brain.” In addition to going through the senses individually, the book also covers topics such as eating the right foods, getting the right sleep and taking good care of yourself.
Dr. Taylor rounds out the book with a glossary and list of resources, as well as notes to OTs and teachers. My son has agreed to let me show the book to his OT as long as she doesn’t try to “take over” and we can continue going through it together on our own. I am absolutely thrilled that he is so interested in learning more about this topic with me; I think it is a great first step towards becoming responsible for taking care of himself.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews