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Mixed Signals: Understanding and Treating Your Child's Sensory Processing Issues
(2010 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA): Gold Award)
Mary Lashno, an occupational therapist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, shares her extensive experience working with children who don't process sensory information properly. Her new book educates parents about why some children's sensory systems experience are over- or under-stimulated and what can be done to treat the condition so children can learn and be a part of daily activities. Mixed Signals also helps parents recognize when behavior is a characteristic of another condition, such as autism or Down syndrome, and when it's due to poor sensory processing. With the help of case studies, the author provides many examples of how children with poor sensory processing react differently to sensory input--staring into lights, avoiding face-washing or brushing teeth, seeming overly clumsy--than children with normal sensory systems. Parents learn how to interpret behaviors and detect when a child may be over-stimulated or under-stimulated. A discussion of strategies and interventions explains how therapists and families can work with children to help develop an individualized sensory diet to calm or awaken sensory receptors so kids can function better and begin to tolerate a wider range of sensory information. Topics covered
Terminology of sensory processing
Normal vs. abnormal sensory processing
Evaluating your child's sensory system
Assessment tools
Sensory Integration Therapy--what it is and how it works
Treatment approaches
Establishing and managing your child's sensory diet This guide is useful to families of children with a variety of diagnoses, deficits, and skills. You'll be better able to understand your child's sometimes perplexing behavior as well as be a part of the therapeutic process in conjunction with trained professionals. Buy a copy to share with a teacher, coach, or therapist so everyone can get involved!
Mary Lashno, an occupational therapist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, shares her extensive experience working with children who don't process sensory information properly. Her new book educates parents about why some children's sensory systems experience are over- or under-stimulated and what can be done to treat the condition so children can learn and be a part of daily activities. Mixed Signals also helps parents recognize when behavior is a characteristic of another condition, such as autism or Down syndrome, and when it's due to poor sensory processing. With the help of case studies, the author provides many examples of how children with poor sensory processing react differently to sensory input--staring into lights, avoiding face-washing or brushing teeth, seeming overly clumsy--than children with normal sensory systems. Parents learn how to interpret behaviors and detect when a child may be over-stimulated or under-stimulated. A discussion of strategies and interventions explains how therapists and families can work with children to help develop an individualized sensory diet to calm or awaken sensory receptors so kids can function better and begin to tolerate a wider range of sensory information. Topics covered
Terminology of sensory processing
Normal vs. abnormal sensory processing
Evaluating your child's sensory system
Assessment tools
Sensory Integration Therapy--what it is and how it works
Treatment approaches
Establishing and managing your child's sensory diet This guide is useful to families of children with a variety of diagnoses, deficits, and skills. You'll be better able to understand your child's sometimes perplexing behavior as well as be a part of the therapeutic process in conjunction with trained professionals. Buy a copy to share with a teacher, coach, or therapist so everyone can get involved!
- GenresParenting
198 pages, Paperback
First published December 14, 2009
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 7, 2015
Having worked at an integrated preschool, first as a one-to-one aide with a child with autism and sensory needs, and then as a teacher's aide in a classroom with many kids on a sensory diet, a lot of this information was more of a refresher to me than anything new. That said, it was good to have this refresher as a parent, since there are some aspects of my son's behavior and development that had me wondering if I was just paranoid (from all my time spent working around SPD kiddos), or had reason to be concerned.
I think that this book is an excellent introduction to Sensory Processing Disorder, and it does a great job with laying out the differences between kiddos who are sensory-seeking, sensory-avoidant, or a combination thereof, as well as educating you about the different senses and the signs of processing issues with each one. They talk about different therapies and ideas that can be incorporated in the sensory diet both at home and at school, but without getting so clinical or overwhelming that someone who is just learning about the topic can't keep a handle on what they're talking about.
I will definitely be recommending this book to friends and relatives who may be facing sensory processing issues within their own family.
I think that this book is an excellent introduction to Sensory Processing Disorder, and it does a great job with laying out the differences between kiddos who are sensory-seeking, sensory-avoidant, or a combination thereof, as well as educating you about the different senses and the signs of processing issues with each one. They talk about different therapies and ideas that can be incorporated in the sensory diet both at home and at school, but without getting so clinical or overwhelming that someone who is just learning about the topic can't keep a handle on what they're talking about.
I will definitely be recommending this book to friends and relatives who may be facing sensory processing issues within their own family.
March 16, 2013
I have such a better handle on terminology and concepts after reading this book. I liked the contrast of "normal" functioning children and examples of children with SPD; very helpful to help me make sense of what I'm seeing in Orry. It also gives a good overview of evaluation, diagnosis, therapy, and treatment techniques.
Often the author uses "the child with autism" instead of "the child with SPD" to introduce a concept. From what I understand, 5-10% of children without autism or other disabilities have SPD--that's Orry. So it was a little jarring to keep picking out relevant information when the blanket term of autism was used.
Often the author uses "the child with autism" instead of "the child with SPD" to introduce a concept. From what I understand, 5-10% of children without autism or other disabilities have SPD--that's Orry. So it was a little jarring to keep picking out relevant information when the blanket term of autism was used.
March 11, 2015
As a practitioner of Occupational Therapy, I thoroughly recommend and enjoyed this book. I am always looking for new ideas and how to explain Sensory Issues. I especially like the division of home and school activities. Excellent book!
May 19, 2011
This book was very helpful.
May 10, 2012
A lot of the information is the same as you would get from the more comprehensive SPD books. But I did love the section in the back with the toys and equipment recommendations.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews