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Sensitive Sam: Sam's Sensory Adventure Has a Happy Ending!
Appropriate for children, families, and professionals, this wonderful book brings to life the story of Sam, whose over-sensitivity creates chaos and frustration in his life. Sam's various sensory sensitivities adversely affect his experiences, both at home and in the classroom. He walks readers through his typical day of sensory blunders, which many kids and families may find all too familiar! Finally, at the suggestion of Sam's teacher, his parents take Sam to see an occupational therapist. Sam describes the process in a non-threatening, child's perspective that is sure to sooth young readers who may be facing the same challenges. With occupational therapy, a new "sensory diet," and the love and support of his family, Sam Treating sensory challenges Takes some patience, and love, too. And now I LIKE doing lots of things I used to hate to do!
29 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 12, 2011
I recently purchased this book and it was a pleasant surprise. My son could relate to the way Sam felt and the sensory issues that he has. It made him feel good to see that other kids can feel that way too.
I loved that it went into the classroom and showed that it wasn't that Sam had behavior problems, he had sensory issues.
Sam works with an OT and gets a sensory diet. This book was educational while being fun with great pictures. I think it will help a lot of families understand sensory processing issues.
It's also hopeful and explains that you can help yourself and your child feel better with sensory integration. Well done!
I loved that it went into the classroom and showed that it wasn't that Sam had behavior problems, he had sensory issues.
Sam works with an OT and gets a sensory diet. This book was educational while being fun with great pictures. I think it will help a lot of families understand sensory processing issues.
It's also hopeful and explains that you can help yourself and your child feel better with sensory integration. Well done!
November 2, 2018
This book tells the story of a child whose sensory issues were not recognized early in life, but were once he reaches school age. He then gets help overcoming them.
The story inherently becomes problematic for children whose sensory issues have been accommodated from an early age, because it may be confusing to them that anyone would label Sam (and by extension them) bad. I don't think it makes the story off limits, but if you're a parent with sensory issues who has been meeting your kid's needs and listening to them when they tell you that things hurt, etc, this story might be better saved until you (and your child) are ready to have a conversation about the prejudices people with sensory issues can face in the world.
In that vein, the happy ending for Sam is overcoming his sensory issues and being more normal. While many people with sensory issues do seek help to minimize them, most of us will tell you they don't go away. We also need tactics and accommodations for avoiding them, and space and understanding to recover from difficult experiences. Presenting getting over the sensory issues as a goal is just another way of telling the sensory child that they are wrong and need fixing. It would have been nice if Sam had been shown to have played a role in identifying the goals he and his OT would work on. It would have been even nicer if there was also a recognition of things (beyond getting him an OT to fix him) that his parents or school could do to accommodate his needs.
I think the book is a good effort, and really there isn't much out there to introduce kids (who statistically are more likely to be anxious and need the kind of prepping a book could provide) to the idea of seeing an OT, but I'd definitely recommend previewing the book before deciding if it's right for your child.
The story inherently becomes problematic for children whose sensory issues have been accommodated from an early age, because it may be confusing to them that anyone would label Sam (and by extension them) bad. I don't think it makes the story off limits, but if you're a parent with sensory issues who has been meeting your kid's needs and listening to them when they tell you that things hurt, etc, this story might be better saved until you (and your child) are ready to have a conversation about the prejudices people with sensory issues can face in the world.
In that vein, the happy ending for Sam is overcoming his sensory issues and being more normal. While many people with sensory issues do seek help to minimize them, most of us will tell you they don't go away. We also need tactics and accommodations for avoiding them, and space and understanding to recover from difficult experiences. Presenting getting over the sensory issues as a goal is just another way of telling the sensory child that they are wrong and need fixing. It would have been nice if Sam had been shown to have played a role in identifying the goals he and his OT would work on. It would have been even nicer if there was also a recognition of things (beyond getting him an OT to fix him) that his parents or school could do to accommodate his needs.
I think the book is a good effort, and really there isn't much out there to introduce kids (who statistically are more likely to be anxious and need the kind of prepping a book could provide) to the idea of seeing an OT, but I'd definitely recommend previewing the book before deciding if it's right for your child.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2016
Sweet book. My little man enjoyed the illustrations of the dog. The vocabulary is a bit advanced for a 6 year old; nonetheless, a very good starting point to understanding ourselves and how we interpret the world vs those with special sensory issues.
June 21, 2016
Wonderful, little book about sensory sensitivity. Rather than labeling a child as "bad" we are welcomed to take a closer look at the underlying, deeper meaning of disruptive behavior. Children in distress don't necessarily have the vocabulary to express their thinking, feelings, and motivations. This is a wonderful guide for both children and adults to explore a fresh perspective and concrete techniques for addressing the true nature of the challenge. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews