The Out-of-Sync Child broke new ground by identifying Sensory Processing Disorder, a common but frequently misdiagnosed problem in which the central nervous system misinterprets messages from the senses. This newly revised edition features additional information from recent research on vision and hearing deficits, motor skill problems, nutrition and picky eaters, ADHA, autism, and other related disorders.
I was very excited to start this book since it is like the OT bible, but it just wasn't for me. It focused on the child who is sensory avoiding, the oppisite of my son who is a sensory seeking kid. It does have a lot of information in a easy to read style, and is probably very helpful for many other parents with a child who is a sensory avoider
As a teacher this book is gold dust! As soon as I started reading it I could relate the stories of various children with different SPD to children I've taught over the years. This book explains these differences very succinctly and makes it easy to understand the reasons why children react, or cope in different ways to others. I think there should be a copy in every school and I will no doubt be using this for the rest of my career!
This book was recommended to me by Hyrum's Occupational Therapist because he has a sensory processing disorder. His sensory disorder is mainly motor but there are other SPD's. I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks their child may be struggling a little bit. I was suprised to see how much behavior can be affected by these disorders and they can range from very mild to severe. We knew Hyrum had something wrong but it took a lot of work trying to figure it out. His doctor was not much help and just said that he would grow out of it but we didn't take that for an answer and I am very glad we didn't. Also, just a note if you have noticed a difference in your child you should have them screened for autism as soon as possible because often times SPD can look like autism but your window for autism is much smaller. This is also a good book for any parent to help children develop their nervous system. The activity book that goes with it has so many great activites that any child would enjoy.
This groundbreaking book deals wit the child with Sensory Processing Disorder , a disorder in which children misinterpret the message from their senses to their brain.
The book defines Sensory Processing Disorder , lists the common symptoms , as well as it's possible causes.
It analyses the different types of children with the disorder such as the overresponsive child , the underresponsive child and the sensory-seeking child as well as how to identify these problems.
Lots of case studies.
The second part of the book deals with how to cope with SPD , with lots of practical advice and lots of games and exercises to help the SPD child.
An indispensable guide to parents , teachers , therapists and anyone else with concerns about the 'out of sync' child.
I am only on page 193, but I'm finding this book is not the "end all, be all" of information on kids with Sensory Processing Disorder. There are several pages on how to help a parent that isn't familiar with quirky kids, but the checklists and anecdotes don't provide much help for me. I really need some heavy-duty information. Maybe the rest of the book will address how to fully understand kids with SPD, but right now I'm way more lost than before I read the book. There are so many "if you kid walks, talks or listens...or if your kid doesn't walk, talk or listen...they may have SPD" anecdotes/info, that I'm so very confused. At this point I've diagnosed our cats with SPD, and can see how even my car can have SPD. *GRIN*
The boy who punches a child who lightly bumped into him in line. A girl who constantly drops things. A child who hangs upside down every chance she gets. A kid who refuses to dress himself years after his peers have mastered that skill. These children probably frustrate parents and teachers but are likely displaying signs of a Sensory Processing Disorder. The Out-of-Sync Child is a must-read for anyone who cares for children with processing difficulties. Parents, teachers, medical staff, and therapists absolutely must understand the challenges people with SPD experience and strategies for helping them to adapt. So many times, children are thought to be bad or defiant when in fact they're unable to override their body's perception of threat or craving for input. The Out-of-Sync Child helps the reader recognize signs of a disorder and gives clear direction about adapting home and school environments to maximize success. Most importantly, it demonstrates why compassion and understanding -- not punishment or criticism-- are the only viable options for success.
Don't get me wrong--this is probably still the best book out there for sensory-disorder, but MAN!
Someday, a loving and merciful person will get out there and write "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder; The Practical Version," and when they do, I'll be the first customer.
This book was dense, and difficult. If all you're looking for is straightforward practical advise on how to help your child, skip to the back, get a pencil and paper, and extract it from the final chapters.
Yes, this book is important. Yes, this book is valuable. But . . . oh.
This book was recommended to me by an Occupational Therapist after he evaluated my son through the state. At this point, I had no idea what SI was or that my son had it (also autism diagnosis). Since then, this book has become my primary resource for my son and other children I encounter. I've given copies to every member of my family and to my son's teachers. Why? Because it explains why kids do and act the way they do when they have sensory dysfunction.
One thing my son used to do was put his head on the ground to look at toys. He also used to avoid touching paint, glue, playDoh. He couldn't tolerate a playground and even family birthday parties were overwhelming. This book explains all of these things - all of the reasons why my son was acting the way he was. And since then, with the help of an occupational therapist, we've corrected these behaviors. My son is happier than ever. He still has SI, but he knows how to avoid certain situations and he's learning how to adapt to school, parks, the world in general.
Carol Stock Kranowitz explains and gives examples of why some kids act out in class, are aggressive, shy, etc. Anyone who is around special needs children will benefit from the knowledge on these pages. It's changed my entire world.
Like with anything new, learning the ins and outs of sensory integration takes time. It's not a super easy read and until you're familiar with the terms (tactile, vestibular, proprioception, gravitational insecurity, etc) it takes some getting used to. Don't be turned off by this last sentence, anyone can learn it and understand and then apply the techniques.
Id even recommend this for parents of typical children as everyone can benefit.
Does your child have Sensory Integration Dysfunction? How to tell if your child has a problem with the Tactile sense Your child at Home Your child at School Coping with your child's emotions Looking at your child in a new light
There are also a number of resources listed in the back of the book.
Another Mom in music class recommended this book because my child has been sensitive to noise. Well bingo! This book was very enlightening. Now not only do I know what some of the issues are I also know some of her coping mechanisms... Spinning, standing on her head, jumping on the bed etc. knowing is half the battle.
I read parts of this years ago in school as I was being introduced to the concept of Sensory Processing Disorders. As I was trying to understand SPD, the case examples of how a "typical" child behaves compared with kids who have various sensory issues was very helpful. A range of behaviors from sensory avoiders (think kids who do not want to be touched or avoid certain foods) to sensory seekers (think "daredevil" kid that gives you gray hair to watch) are clearly defined.
Recently, I decided to revisit it and was still pleased by the organization of information.
A very interesting look at the child who is "always out of control". It definitely made me look at my children with a different eye. It discusses the child who apparently can't tolerate loud noises, the one who takes a LONG time to dress because they're unhappy with their socks/shoes/shirt/whatever. This was recommended to me by a speech pathologist and I'd recommend it to anyone who wanted to get an idea of what types of things they could do to help out children.
This book was hard to muddle through and didn't have a lot of information regarding Sensory Seeking behaviors. It was somewhat informative but like I said, overwhelming. Probably would be better for those who have Sensory Avoidance.
5 ⭐️ will recommend to practitioners and families. Great informational text that is palatable for families. Everything you want to know about Sensory Processing Disorder is in here as well as many action items to help your child at home.
I liked this book because it gave me a lot of insight on how a such a large percent of my clients’ challenging behaviors are sensory related and just how important OTSI is for them. I had a lot of “Oh! X does that! That makes sense” moments. However (and maybe it’s because I’m pretty involved in such a related field), I didn’t feel like it gave me a lot of new information about what to DO about those behaviors. I was hoping for more practical tips about helping to get the child in-sync, not just explaining how and why they are out of sync. That said, I think it’s a great first step for parents and teachers to realize the kids aren’t just being “bad.” Also, I think the book would be more accessible without jargony words like vestibular and praxis. Finally, a couple words and phrases rubbed me the wrong way- the book needs some updating.
This is as informative as it is accessible. I learned so much about sensory processing, the act of the brain taking in information, organizing it, and creating a motor response. I learned how some people are oversensitive to certain stimuli and some are undersensitive, and either can result in a person feeling dysregulated. I also learned learned about the three "hidden" senses - vestibular, proprioception, and interoception - and how many brains struggle to integrate those senses with the five visible senses.
This book taught me so many things, and is one of the few books I intend to read multiple times. 5/5.
This book was difficult for me to get through. I found the beginning especially convoluted, but it got easier to read as it went on. This was, in part, because I got used to Kranowitz's diction. I felt a bit like her motto was "why use simple words when you can string together words like modulation, dysfunction, & discrimination in a long line & throw in specialized words like 'praxis'&'vestibular'." I'm guilty of this at times too, but blah. On the positive side, she often gives hypothetical examples of the issues she is discussing so you can see it in action. Application is more concentrated at the end, so read the beginning for diagnosis & stick it out until the end for advice.
Although it took longer than I wanted to read & understand (I always take notes, but I actually had to refer to them often to figure things out), it was a worthwhile read. I learned more about my 2 sensory kids. I've been living with and studying their differences (positive and negative) for a long time and we already know most of our sensitivities and have many coping strategies. Still I had some "Oh, that's why she does x and y!" and "Huh, maybe we could try z to help him!" moments. It is interesting that my 2 are in some ways so similar and in others so different. --One is a sensory avoider, easily overloaded,who takes a lot in, understanding but very uncomfortable and prone to act out (although this has gotten somewhat better with age). The other is a sensory seeker, who fazes out so completely that she's been left alone at her table in the cafeteria because she couldn't hear the teacher telling them to go or notice the kids getting up, clearing, and leaving. People think he's intense and behaves erratically, and that she's a space case who is easy going, while both of them have similar sensitivities and symptoms, just different reactions.
One final thing: the title has always bugged me. I don't feel like my kids are really "out-of-sync" like abnormal, because what is "synced" what is "normal"? I don't have SID, and yet I often don't fit in. My other daughter with no SID is very shy so that sometimes she feels that they are more "normal" than she is. (They are not shy and will talk to anyone or get up in front of any audience to present, while she can barely speak in public.) Probably everyone wonders sometimes "why am I different like this?!" I wish we could just all be different and not have the labels be stigmas or mean that there is something wrong. I'm coming around to appreciating labels more than I once did because they allow me to categorize behaviors and understand them and how they fit in as a whole, what triggers them, and how to make it all work.
I am a Clinical Social Worker and found much of this book informative but didn't really like the overall presentation of the book. I have been providing DIR/Floortime therapy with children who have Sensory Processing Disorders for a few years now and was hoping this book would provide some concrete intervention ideas for the families I work with and also help increase my own knowledge on the disorder. In addition, I enjoy reading books that I can then recommend to the families I work with.
The actual narrative of the book was overall parent friendly (meaning you don't necessarily need to be an occupational therapist, doctor, or social worker to understand) - but I felt the organization of the book left me feeling a bit confused and not as well-educated on the topic. I feel this book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/89... (Williams "Sensory Integration and Self Regulation in Infants and Toddlers") does a much better job defining Sensory Integration in a concise, yet comprehensive way.
I think the checklists "Out of Sync Child" provides at the end of many chapters can be useful. I also liked the explanation in how a child can have both SPD in addition to ADHD/Autism, and the overall spectrum of SPD. Finally, I thought both appendixes were very useful.
I felt this book gave a more negative light on insurance coverage for SPD treatments. From my experience, OTs, psychologists, and clinical social workers can successfully bill private insurance for their services. There may be some headaches around diagnosis - but many treatment teams will work with parents to provide a service that is not cost-prohibitive for families. I would hate for someone to read this book, have the false impression NO sensory integration treatment is covered, and not even attempt to explore further assessment or treatment options.
Overall, I am glad I read this book and plan to pull pieces to share with families, but I wouldn't label this the number one book for sensory processing.
This is a hard book to review. As a mom of 3 kids (all with different sensory needs) I was already very familiar with SPD. Here is what I liked and what I didn't like.
Likes-
This book brings attention to SPD (sensory processing disorder or differences). I am always surprised that more people don't know about it. I guess that since it plays a big part in my family's lives I have come to see it as typical for us.
This book would be a great asset for educators, therapists, and parents that are new to the idea of SPD.
Dislikes-
While this is the third edition, The Out-of-Sync child was initially published almost 25 years ago. I had hoped that the outdated language would have been corrected for this edition. Terms like "special needs" and "meaningful play" and "real kid" were inappropriate for 2022. Who decides if the play is meaningful? If the child is having fun that is all that matters. And I'm sorry, but the only requirement to being a "real kid" is to be a human child. While it is absolutely critical to address sensory processing differences, your child is still whole and complete. Addressing these issues to help your child adapt in a way to make them feel safe, secure, and their best selves (whatever that means to the child) should be handled with compassion and on an individual basis.
Some parts of this book read like a textbook and were extremely repetitive. While that is a good style for certain readers, it may not be the best fit for the average parent trying to gather information. I will admit that I ended up skimming large parts because of this.
Overall I think this book could be great for a certain audience (specifically educators) but it has definite room for improvement. Thank you @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for this gifted copy. 3.5 stars
If you have a child that seems fussy, especially when wearing certain kinds of clothes or when eating certain foods. Or does your child crash and bump into everything and "HAVE TO" touch everything? Or does your child not seem to notice much or what's going on around him or her? AND does this seem to be effecting your life or your child's in a negative way? Then check out this book. It will give you new insight into how some children experience sensory input and how they may need extra stimulation to regulate their sensory integration. It also does have some great ideas for playtime which are great for all kids developmentally. Easy to read, written for both teachers and parents, not for doctors.
This book has changed my perspective on why my child behaves the way he does, and also why other children might. I have more patience and sympathy for my little guy, but most of all, I have tools that I can use to help him learn to cope with his sensory issues. I feel validated as a parent that I'm not ruining my child. If you have a child that seems different (social cues are a big indicator), then I would read this book. If you are interested, though, pick up the latest edition. If you ever have any concerns or questions or just need to talk about this, give me a call. I know it's not easy dealing with a "different, but normal" child.
This book was helpful only because it confirmed that, yes, we have an "out-of-sync" child. It helps me to be more sympathetic towards this child and understand them a little better.
HOWEVER!.. there weren't as many helpful tips as I would have liked. I mean, you tell me that my child is "out-of-sync" and why they are that why and then send me on my way!
Helpful in that it validated that some of the things we've been seeing indeed fit one of the patterns classified here but unhelpful in that it didn't tell us what to do about it. This book was a bit too clinical for my taste and difficult to sort through.
A very helpful book for parents and teachers of kiddos who just seem... well, out-of-sync with other children or activities that one would expect children to enjoy (getting dressed, swinging, sensory play, eating, etc.)
My biggest criticism is that it does read like a textbook - in that, it's clearly written in terms of IDEAL solutions, not necessarily PRACTICAL solutions... especially if you are a parent to more than one kiddo or a classroom teacher with a full caseload of other students as well. Their list of things to do / implement / accommodate for definitely had some good ideas, but good grief, it looked daunting listed out back to back like that. Plus, some of their "helpful tips" just seemed like basic empathy and good parenting in general, not specific to SPD.
But the explanation of sensory processing disorders themselves were very helpful - especially the charts and subtype descriptions in the middle.
WARNING: Believers, this is written from a purely humanistic point of view - basically, from the perspective that all children are basically good and that their behavioral struggles are purely physical. There are also several references to evolution as an explanation for why brains and instincts work the way they do.
All that said, it's still been incredibly helpful starting point in understanding the "sliding scale" of sensory integration issues, the value of occupational therapy, and why some children seem to have trouble with some of the most basic tasks of childhood in a way that doesn't resolve as they age.
Parents: Don't get overwhelmed. It's a textbook just to get your feet wet.
Amazing! I am raising 2 special needs kids whose needs go beyond SPD. This book stretched my mind and heart about my kids' needs and (dis)abilities. I have been reading how to be as helpful as a parent as I can be for close to 8 years, and I feel like this book gave me more information than I've ever had.
It gave me a difficult outlook on something I've never considered: what a day-to-day is like for my kids. I know what it is in regards to what/how they learn, what I have to do to help, and how we alter our lives. But something I learned about my kids: THEY ARE COURAGEOUS. I don't know what it's like to enter everyday knowing that things are going to be harder for me, that my tasks are going to take longer, my goals are be harder to attain; what it's like to not be able to dress myself, use the toilet, verbally speak to my siblings. What courage my children face the day with an optimism I would've lost a long time ago!
This is absolutely the "Bible," and I will be keeping it within arm's reach always.
Great informational book if you have a child with SPD. As some people say these days, I feel so seen. Or better yet, I feel my child is so seen. I’ve skimmed this book over the years at the suggestion of occupational therapists, but this is the first time actually reading it cover to cover. I wish we were led to this book eight years ago. But I guess we didn’t know what we didn’t know. I’m so glad we know a lot more now so we can better help our child(ren) thrive. I wish all elementary/early education teachers would read this.
This book is full of fantastic information. For me, though, it was information overload since I couldn't narrow down what my son's specific issues are. I'll certainly keep it on hand as a resource for the future.
A phenomenal resource for parents, caregivers, teachers, or anybody who will ever interact with a child that has sensory differences. A very practical guide with examples of what SPD looks like in everyday life, common symptoms, resources, and tools.
This book helped me so much! I think my child has something going on outside of SPD, but we for sure have SPD. Thankful for these tips in here and glad to be able to understand my kids brain better.
Thorough and clear. Provides useful checklists and tools to help your child. Final chapter is very encouraging to parents who are facing this challenge.