The Sensory-Sensitive Child: Practical Solutions for Out-of-Bounds Behavior

by Karen A. Smith, Karen R. Gouze

In a book likely to transform how parents manage many of their child's daily struggles, Drs. Smith and Gouze explain the central and frequently unrecognized role that sensory processing problems play in a child's emotional and behavioral difficulties. Practicing child psychologists, and themselves parents of children with sensory integration problems, their message is innovative, practical, and, above all, full of hope. A child with sensory processing problems overreacts or underreacts to sensory experiences most of us take in stride. A busy classroom, new clothes, food smells, sports activities, even hugs can send such a child spinning out of control. The result can be battles over dressing, bathing, schoolwork, social functions, holidays, and countless other events. In addition, the authors say, many childhood psychiatric disorders may have an unidentified sensory component. Readers Will

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help, Education, Autistic Spectrum Disorder

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex.
I liked the formula for good parenting: LOTS OF LOVING ATTENTION AND PRAISE + CLEAR AND REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS + PREDICTABLE CONSEQUENCES FOR MISBEHAVIOR = POSITIVE PARENTING.... Also: when a consequence must be applied, remember that your purpose is not to punish but to teach. Your goal is to change behavior in the future.
"The best, most effective treatment is likely to be multidisciplinary, drawing on the expertise of a psychologist, an occupational therapist, and a learning specialist." "Seek out professionals who understand and treat children with sensory processing problems."

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book describes our child & our difficult days so well, it's full of pages I tagged to re-read & share with his teachers & caregivers. I've learned so much & hope it helps him feel loved, understood, & challenged to grow.

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a MUST read for any parent, therapist or caregiver of a suspected or diagnosed sensory sensitive child. The writers are two female therapists who each had sensory sensitive boys. Their stories gave me goosebumps. Though they were practicing psychologits dealing with challenged children, their own boys made all of their training and research basically moot. The issues the boys were dealing with did not fit into any of the typical behavioral categories they were so familiar with, ADD, ADHD, etc.
This book clearly set out the types of neurological issues children with SID experience and what their symptoms are. The other thing the book does, which I found very helpful was to outline the points of views of different types of providers: MD's, neurologists, OT's, psychologists, etc. After reading a stack of books on this topic, this one was the clearest and most helpful. If I had only had this one to begin with, It'd saved me and my family lots of time and energy.

[Heidi Fettig Parton · Rating 3 out of 5]

a little too depressing at times; a little chunky, clinical -- written by two psychologists types rather than OT types . . . good information to be had, but you have to wade through some overly analytical descriptions of their own sons SPD conditions . . . I think a lay person should have come on this book to spice things up

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by my child's OT. I am so glad I read it because there are not a lot of professional resources out there on Sensory Processing Disorder. This book covered a little bit of everything and will continue to be a great resource as my chid grows.

I gained a greater vocabulary to use with my child and others about SPD. I'm better equipped to to help people understand our struggles than previously. My child used to be the biggest mystery to me, but now looking at her through a sensory lens this book has helped me "see her" for the first time thanks to understanding the two "hidden" senses beyond the well-known five.

I would recommend this book to anyone who works with young children or has young children that constantly puzzle them. It will broaden and challenge your way of thinking about the way a child's mind and development works.

In short, this book helped me accept my child as she is and not as I wished she could be-while simultaneously getting rid of some of my mom guilt and negatives beliefs about my parenting.

Notable Quotes:
"Most of us know our limits, and we choose levels of stimulation that feel comfortable to us. Sensory discrimination allows us to judge whether sensations are threatening or benign. Children do not have that freedom. The child with poor sensory integration often feels assaulted by his environment, betrayed by his body, and misunderstood by everyone. Life is a constant struggle."

"Ironically, children with auditory modulation difficulties are often loud themselves. They make their own noise to block out noise around them. They bang on things, hum, sing, or make sound effects- driving everyone around them to distraction- so that they can concentrate. "

"Kids who are constantly forced to adapt become exhausted and frustrated and as a result act out, or give up. When a child is regularly called upon to adapt to the sensory characteristics of his surroundings, the amount of effort involved in just being there is enormous. If his attempts to cope are misunderstood, he may withdraw, meltdown, or tune out."

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked this book but was saddened that it gave me the confirmation that there really was something wrong with my child.
I didn't find the description as simple as I did the previous google search and found myself skipping a lot of pages because of it.
There are a lot of great ideas for me to give our psychologist when we have her assessed and interim ideas for us to put into practice to help with her issues which made me very excited.
It has made me feel optimistic about the future instead of fearful and given us some tools only to start with. I'm greatly disappointed that there really was no dietary advice at all though as I think it would be beneficial.
It was a good start for researching this disorder but I'm sure it is not the best. The two major children they focus on in the book are to the extreme end of the illness and they really don't relate to ours so I look in should have been make to fit every child who fit the spectrum.
At least it gave us another tool to star witn.

[Alli Shoemaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. OT has helped our family a TON, and this helped me understand and explain the framework behind the why of it to others. More personal anecdotes and less generalization would’ve made this a solid 4 or 5 for me. Some chapters would spend several paragraphs saying things like “Teenagers are difficult. They argue and ….” And I think the writing would’ve benefited from a personal standpoint or even just starting right at the point.

I also hugely appreciate the authors pointing out the lack of scientific studies behind this, but the reasons why these studies don’t exist. I recommend reading this with David Eagleman’s book Livewired to gain a more recent scientific understanding of how the brain works (though this book has flaws, I was glad I accidentally read them in tandem)

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have a child who you know is suffering from sensory integration issues or you suspect so this book is a wealth of knowledge. Although a bit wordy at times, the overall message is easy to grasp and then apply in real life. The book is broken down by age, and situations as well as different diagnosis as you move through the book. They stress along the way that no two children are the same, but you get the feeling that no matter your situation the information within can be applied to you/your children.

[Lacy Lovelace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book! I studied the crap out of this book! I have applied the knowledge from this book to a Pre-K student. I would recommend this to any parent or teacher interested in SPD.

[Jeremy Hornik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book.

[D · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this is a really important topic and I need to understand it - I’m just too impatient to sift through the repetitiveness & verbosity.

[Matthew Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best parenting book I have read!

[Kristi]

I picked up this book because the preschool teacher mentioned she thought our son might have some sensory-integration symptons. Not aware of what this was, did some reading on the internet, then found this book at the library. The first few pages filled my eyes with tears. This mother's son, sounded just like ours. As I read further throughout the past few months, some of it seems to be Coop, some not. As he struggled with his first few months in kindergarten, I kept returning to the book, convinced and unconvinced this was him. I'm still not sure. But am thinking of reaching out to an OT, occupational therapist, for a professional assessment. This is a recommendation of the book, and to date, from what I'm reading, it seems the most attractive, more 'day-to-day' evaluation. But I want to finish the book, before I do anything.

[Julia]

Great overview and introduction to sensory processing. We were told it might be something that Chase struggled with, but after being evaluated, he fortunately does not have any issues with sensory processing. Regardless this book can shed light on issues that even we adults struggle with from time to time. I don't like the feel of a glass (nails on chalkboard) or even claustrophobia can be a type of sensory processing. Being in a loud or crowded environment can set me off. So it's easy to see how those same things will affect children. Overall an interesting and relevant book for anyone to read, regardless of whether or not your child has a sensory processing issue.

[Kris Irvin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay. It made me feel better about my son (recently diagnosed with PDD-NOS and very clearly has some SID issues as well.) I liked the stories and how they broke down the information into symptoms of auditory SID, visual SID, tactile SID, etc.

But I came away from reading this saying, "now what?" The only treatment plan I feel like this book gives is to seek out an occupational therapist. Um, I can't afford to pay $2,000 a month for treatment. I also felt like there was very little help ideas for kids with auditory SID.

It was a good read and kept my interest well enough. The information was presented clearly (if dryly.) But... now what?

[Jennifer White · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first heard about Sensory Processing Disorder(SPD) and how my son may have it, this was the first book I read. I was able to relate to this book and understand this disorder and my sons needs more. I wouldn't say that this is the catch all book for SPD, but is definitely worth the read for those affected by SPD.

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was an interesting book. It was insightful and descriptive, but I was disappointed that though they had a wealth of anecdotal descriptions, there was little controlled experimental evidence for their ideas. I think I'm going to keep my eyes open for someone doing that kind of research.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for parents of kids with SID/SPD.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good until the end when I realized it didn't have enough of the meat of what the title promised. Still good info though.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good introduction to the topic.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful and helpful. With practical things to apply. Thanks.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped me see the sensory issues that my son and my students struggle with from a different and more understanding view point.

[Talena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to understand Sensory processing and how we can look through a "sensory lens" to understand children with sensory struggles.

[Amanda]

Worth a reread at some point.