Parenting a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder: A Family Guide to Understanding and Supporting Your Sensory-Sensitive Child

by Christopher R. Auer, Susan Blumberg, Lucy Jane Miller

Does your child react strongly to noises or smells or textures that other children take in stride? Or does he or she beg for more touch and massage, rocking until he or she is dizzy? This child may be living with a little-known condition called sensory processing disorder (SPD). Kids with SPD may seem unduly sensitive to physical sensations, light, and sound, or they may seek out sensations that might make another child woozy. SPD can make it hard for kids to concentrate in school, engage in social events, and live peaceably with other family members. Until now, there have been only limited resources for parents of kids with this condition, but in this book a child advocate and child psychologist offer a comprehensive guide to parenting a child with SPD and integrating his or her care with the needs of the entire family.

The book describes the symptoms of SPD and offers an overview of what it means to live with and care for a child with the condition. It provides a range of activities that help strengthen family relationships, improve communication about the disorder, and deal with problem situations and conditions a child with SPD may encounter. Throughout, the book stresses the importance of whole-family involvement in the care of a child with SPD, making sure that everyone is given the attention they need. Finally, you’ll read real-life stories providing ideas that you can put to work in your own family.

Learn about SPD, its signs, and causes


Make a plan to involve the whole-family in caring for a child with SPD Communicate effectively about SPD with loved ones, teachers, and doctors Find ways to manage everyday SPD challenges Encourage independence and confidence in a child with SPD

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Autistic Spectrum Disorder

224 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2006

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful for understanding different diagnoses of sensory processing disorder and what each typically entail. Also, how to differentially diagnosis sensory processing disorder with other common disorders like ADHD. The family approach looked at how the entire family can be involved with helping the child with sensory processing disorder. There were helpful resources to help families communicate, advocate, take care of siblings, how to talk about SPD. Helpful communication tools and resources for families.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an accessible, quick read for parents of children with SPD (sensory processing disorder).

Very little time is spend discussing SPD itself (just one chapter).

Instead, the authors concentrate on SPD's impact on your marriage (or relationship with the child's other patient), your family, and your typically-developing children. I especially appreciated the chapter about siblings: I hadn't previously thought about how our son's siblings will outlive us, and continue to deal with his... challenges throughout their adult lives.

I would have liked to have heard more about adopted children with SPD - our son is adopted, and it seems that most if not all children coming out of institutionalized settings with minimal sensory development at critical age will develop some degree of SPD. We have attachment challenges, as well as SPD challenges, and that colors our experience.

Also, the book is very positive and upbeat - one chapter is devoted to seeing your child's "at-promise" factors as well as their "at-risk" factors. I am very discouraged and depressed by our situation right now, and this book failed to convince me to be more positive. I don't know how they could have done better, but it would have been nice if they could have.

All in all, I would recommend this book highly. I myself will probably read it again, in order to work through the "personal reflection" questions dotted throughout the book.

p.s. The Resources and References section at the back is very extensive.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book for two reasons: (1) it was easy to understand and follow and (2) it really did focus on family dynamics and relationships in special needs families, specifically those who have a child with Sensory Processing Disorder. Both authors bring different backgrounds and experiences to the table, and the reader benefits greatly from this.

If this wasn't a library book I feel like I would have highlighted large portions of it. While some of it was irrelevant to our family, the bulk of it could be easily applied to any situation where there is a child with Sensory Processing Disorder or other unique needs. I really enjoyed the chapter on siblings and finding the balance between teaching empathy and understanding and giving them too much responsibility whether intentionally or unintentionally. It can be so easy for children to absorb responsibilities that aren't theirs, and it is important to help them remember they aren't a parent.

I recommend this if you are trying to wrap your head around a recent special needs diagnosis or if you are struggling to understand how it changes your family dynamics. The authors are gentle and kind without ever being pushy or know it alls. This is a great read for people new to special needs like us.

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I go back to from time to time as I'm raising my boys... it's full of information...

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

a MUST read for anyone who loves a child with sensory processing disorder. An especially awesome chapter on how to meet the needs of the "typical" siblings.

[Stephanie Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still use it as a reference

[Zonnah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was not a fan of this one. Just not my type of book.

[Karin]

Read the beginning about the different types of sensory disorders, but my dd isn't 'bad' enough to be diagnosed as such. Or rather, the symptoms aren't significant to cause undo problems.

Glanced thru the rest of the chapters. It deals with father's issues re their child, siblings issues, how to be vocal about the disorder, how to deal with the spousal relationship. So good stuff, just not what i'm looking for .