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I'm Not Weird, I Have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): Alexandra's Journey
Through Understanding Comes Respect and Love
This book was inspired by the author's daughter, Jaimie, who struggles with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) every day. It was written to validate Jaimie's feelings and to show her other children feel things the way she does. This book can help children with SPD learn how to explain their disorder to others; help peers understand what children with SPD go through; and also help therapists, teachers and/or counselors learn how to talk about it. Helping others learn about children with special needs brings understanding to them and help to make them seem less... different.
New 2nd edition includes suggested activities teachers or caregivers can do with children to help develop a deeper understanding of how SPD "feels" plus new pages on vestibular and proprioception systems.
Praise for I'm Not Weird, I Have SPD :
"This book is a must-read for any parent who has a child suffering with Sensory Processing Disorder. It also helps your child put words to what they are feeling on a daily basis. Teachers and other professionals working with children who have SPD also come to a better understanding of how to help these children."
--Tanya Wilson
"A heart-touching book, written in a straightforward, kid-friendly manner that provides an excellent insight to the trials, frustrations, and new discoveries children with SPD and their families may encounter. This book has assisted in creating an appreciation and acceptance of the unique qualities within all of us, and that we are not 'weird'-we are 'wonderful'!"
--Lillian Baulkham, Grade 3 teacher, Sweet Grass School, Edmonton, Alberta
"When I read Chynna Laird's I'm Not Weird, I Have SPD, I almost cried. Not because the story of a child struggling with severe sensory disorder is so sad, but because the frustration shared by child and family alike before diagnosis is so heart-wrenching. Ms. Laird leaves the reader with a moment of with a moment of joy and a real hope for a brighter tomorrow!"
--C. Hall
Learn more at www.LilyWolfWords.ca
From the Growing With Love Series from Loving Healing Press www.LHPress.com
JNF053180 Juvenile Fiction : Social Issues - Special Needs
EDU026010 Education : Special Education - Communicative Disorders
FAM034520 Family & Relationships : Parenting - Hyperactivity
This book was inspired by the author's daughter, Jaimie, who struggles with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) every day. It was written to validate Jaimie's feelings and to show her other children feel things the way she does. This book can help children with SPD learn how to explain their disorder to others; help peers understand what children with SPD go through; and also help therapists, teachers and/or counselors learn how to talk about it. Helping others learn about children with special needs brings understanding to them and help to make them seem less... different.
New 2nd edition includes suggested activities teachers or caregivers can do with children to help develop a deeper understanding of how SPD "feels" plus new pages on vestibular and proprioception systems.
Praise for I'm Not Weird, I Have SPD :
"This book is a must-read for any parent who has a child suffering with Sensory Processing Disorder. It also helps your child put words to what they are feeling on a daily basis. Teachers and other professionals working with children who have SPD also come to a better understanding of how to help these children."
--Tanya Wilson
"A heart-touching book, written in a straightforward, kid-friendly manner that provides an excellent insight to the trials, frustrations, and new discoveries children with SPD and their families may encounter. This book has assisted in creating an appreciation and acceptance of the unique qualities within all of us, and that we are not 'weird'-we are 'wonderful'!"
--Lillian Baulkham, Grade 3 teacher, Sweet Grass School, Edmonton, Alberta
"When I read Chynna Laird's I'm Not Weird, I Have SPD, I almost cried. Not because the story of a child struggling with severe sensory disorder is so sad, but because the frustration shared by child and family alike before diagnosis is so heart-wrenching. Ms. Laird leaves the reader with a moment of with a moment of joy and a real hope for a brighter tomorrow!"
--C. Hall
Learn more at www.LilyWolfWords.ca
From the Growing With Love Series from Loving Healing Press www.LHPress.com
JNF053180 Juvenile Fiction : Social Issues - Special Needs
EDU026010 Education : Special Education - Communicative Disorders
FAM034520 Family & Relationships : Parenting - Hyperactivity
- GenresChildrens
28 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2007
8 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Chynna T. Laird
12 books209 followersCHYNNA LAIRD – is a freelance writer and multi award-winning author. Her passion is helping children and families living with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and other special needs. She’s authored two children’s books, two memoirs, a Young Adult novella, a YA paranormal suspense novel, a Contemporary coming-of-age novel and an adult Suspense/Thriller.
Website: www.chynnalairdauthor.ca
Website: www.chynnalairdauthor.ca
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 26, 2021
‘I’m not weird, I have SPD’ is a multi-purposeful book and guide by Chynna T.Laird. This book is ideal for children and adults who would like to know more about the condition, understand specifically what it is and how it impacts the sufferer. This book also holds a wealth of knowledge and tips for readers to reference.
The book is educational on so many levels, I had never heard of SPD, but this book was a good way of understanding it from not only the perspective of the sufferer but also their relatives, and those around them.
The book is beautifully illustrated with easy, readable prose and it broke down the sufferer’s condition, how it made them feel and the steps taken to help find a way of coping with it. It was a quick read, but impactful.
I thoroughly recommend this book for those who perhaps have been diagnosed with the condition, or know someone with it. It has some great factual information towards the end of the book and useful websites for anyone needing any extra guidance and advise.
It's always important to highlight and normalise conditions such as SPD, and having more resources and books to reference help stamp out some of the stigma and misunderstandings. A great read for a mixed audience.
The book is educational on so many levels, I had never heard of SPD, but this book was a good way of understanding it from not only the perspective of the sufferer but also their relatives, and those around them.
The book is beautifully illustrated with easy, readable prose and it broke down the sufferer’s condition, how it made them feel and the steps taken to help find a way of coping with it. It was a quick read, but impactful.
I thoroughly recommend this book for those who perhaps have been diagnosed with the condition, or know someone with it. It has some great factual information towards the end of the book and useful websites for anyone needing any extra guidance and advise.
It's always important to highlight and normalise conditions such as SPD, and having more resources and books to reference help stamp out some of the stigma and misunderstandings. A great read for a mixed audience.
May 16, 2021
Are you experiencing a child or children with SPD? You want to know what it is or what it might be? Well, this book called "I'm Not Weird, I Have SPD" explains Sensory Processing Disorder. It shows how a child feels and what is going on with them. It also conducts and talks about how to cope with SPD.
The way this book happens to stay done, I enjoyed it. It explained it to me in a way I could understand. I see I may or not have some of the symptoms even though I was not diagnosed with this, and I could have some of the symptoms or overlap with others. I get frustrated with a loud noise, and I have high-functioning autism. I could see some overlap between the symptoms and the other mental illnesses out there. So be sure to get some help and professional help.
This book will help children to understand and learn to communicate with someone who has SPD. It is also a good resource for parents and teachers in their classrooms. The pictures remain done well. They are crisp and enjoyable to look at in the book. This book will help those who have sensory processing disorder and need help putting words to their feelings and helping them communicate with their parents and others.
The way this book happens to stay done, I enjoyed it. It explained it to me in a way I could understand. I see I may or not have some of the symptoms even though I was not diagnosed with this, and I could have some of the symptoms or overlap with others. I get frustrated with a loud noise, and I have high-functioning autism. I could see some overlap between the symptoms and the other mental illnesses out there. So be sure to get some help and professional help.
This book will help children to understand and learn to communicate with someone who has SPD. It is also a good resource for parents and teachers in their classrooms. The pictures remain done well. They are crisp and enjoyable to look at in the book. This book will help those who have sensory processing disorder and need help putting words to their feelings and helping them communicate with their parents and others.
May 9, 2021
As a teacher, this book spoke to me. I learned a lot about SPD that I did not know. Written from the perspective of a child, this is a great book to bring into the classroom if a student has SPD. Children WANT to help their friends and this book can really help children understand why their friend gets upset. This book is also great for parents if they have never heard of SPD.
June 2, 2021
I would consider myself quite versed in SPD (commonly known as Sensory Processing Disorder). To be honest, I feel like many of us can absolutely relate to someone with SPD. Personally for me, a lot of noise, certain textures, certain touches – all overwhelm me to the point that I need to put myself in a time out to gather myself and calm down. Now take that as an adult, give it to a child, multiply it to the point of pain, and do not give them the knowledge or words to explain how they feel. That is a child with SPD.
Chynna does such a wonderful job in I’m Not Weird explaining what a child with SPD feels like – what bothers them (noise, lights, certain sounds, textures, touches, etc.). Many times these children do act out and throw tantrums because they don’t understand what is going on or why it hurts. They can’t explain how they are feeling and so they lash out, they scream, they have a fit. (Remember that next time you see a child in public throwing a fit. Don’t assume they are a brat or whatever negative comment you have to say. They could just be experiencing the pain that comes from bright lights, loud noises, a certain smell. You never know until you walk in someone’s shoes.)
I’m Not Weird does a wonderful job showing this part of a child that many people do not understand, but also points out that a therapist can assist in helping the child express what is hurting them; help parents communicate with their child; and help a child with coping skills to self regulate themselves.
I’m Not Weird really is a book that all adults should read so they stop making assumptions about children who may not be “perfect angels” in public for something that is beyond their control; but more importantly, I think it’s a great book for parents, siblings, and children who are diagnosed with SPD and would make a great classroom or school book for the child’s school! The more people who can understand a child with SPD, the better our world would be and I’m Not Weird does such a great job sharing what SPD is, it is a must have resource!
Chynna does such a wonderful job in I’m Not Weird explaining what a child with SPD feels like – what bothers them (noise, lights, certain sounds, textures, touches, etc.). Many times these children do act out and throw tantrums because they don’t understand what is going on or why it hurts. They can’t explain how they are feeling and so they lash out, they scream, they have a fit. (Remember that next time you see a child in public throwing a fit. Don’t assume they are a brat or whatever negative comment you have to say. They could just be experiencing the pain that comes from bright lights, loud noises, a certain smell. You never know until you walk in someone’s shoes.)
I’m Not Weird does a wonderful job showing this part of a child that many people do not understand, but also points out that a therapist can assist in helping the child express what is hurting them; help parents communicate with their child; and help a child with coping skills to self regulate themselves.
I’m Not Weird really is a book that all adults should read so they stop making assumptions about children who may not be “perfect angels” in public for something that is beyond their control; but more importantly, I think it’s a great book for parents, siblings, and children who are diagnosed with SPD and would make a great classroom or school book for the child’s school! The more people who can understand a child with SPD, the better our world would be and I’m Not Weird does such a great job sharing what SPD is, it is a must have resource!
June 4, 2021
The first thing that hit me about this book was the despair on the little girl's face, as she was in distress and could not tell her parents what was wrong. They looked just as much in shock and upset as they did not know how to cope. Through the book and the development of the girls’ growth the author, along with brilliant illustrations, describe expertly the problems both of the parties are experiencing.
There has obviously been a lot of research on this particular medical condition and the effects on children and parents. As we move through the book the different actions of the child paint the characteristics to look out for, and where to seek help and guidance from, to help the parents understand and cope with the obvious difficult challenge they are facing. The introduction of a specialist trained in this particular field increases both the parents and child's knowledge and understanding on coping mechanisms to improve their relationship.
An excellent book describing a very difficult condition for parents and a children to cope with and should be shared to help other people who are not in the close social bubble of the family to help them understand and accept the child.
There has obviously been a lot of research on this particular medical condition and the effects on children and parents. As we move through the book the different actions of the child paint the characteristics to look out for, and where to seek help and guidance from, to help the parents understand and cope with the obvious difficult challenge they are facing. The introduction of a specialist trained in this particular field increases both the parents and child's knowledge and understanding on coping mechanisms to improve their relationship.
An excellent book describing a very difficult condition for parents and a children to cope with and should be shared to help other people who are not in the close social bubble of the family to help them understand and accept the child.
May 25, 2021
Not all children are the same-nor are our brains wired the same. This book explains what a child with Sensory Processing Disorder may go through. It also tells how to get help for that child! There is a large section devoted to how where and when to get help for your child.
The story portion of it shows in pictures and words that children may understand so that they can learn to accept differences in others and how to adapt and play with them.
The story portion of it shows in pictures and words that children may understand so that they can learn to accept differences in others and how to adapt and play with them.
May 27, 2021
We received a copy of this book for review purposes.
This book was informative, and explained sensory processing disorder in a way my girls could understand. Amazon lists it as intended for ages 5-7, but I think you could go a lot older than that. There's a lot of text on the pages for a 5 year old. Only 13 pages of the book are the story. I feel like they could have spread the text out and doubled the number of story pages, and included a web site address for parents to access the information in the back of the book.
My main reviewer, Katie, is 10. She thought it was interesting because she had never heard of SPD before. I asked her if the character in the book reminded her of anyone, thinking maybe she's been exposed to someone with sensory processing issues at school, but she said no. My 14 year old also read the book, and had not heard of SPD prior to reading it.
I appreciated that the girl in the book learned to *use her words* through the help of occupational therapy. We've absolutely had times where we needed to redirect screaming to using words.
This book was informative, and explained sensory processing disorder in a way my girls could understand. Amazon lists it as intended for ages 5-7, but I think you could go a lot older than that. There's a lot of text on the pages for a 5 year old. Only 13 pages of the book are the story. I feel like they could have spread the text out and doubled the number of story pages, and included a web site address for parents to access the information in the back of the book.
My main reviewer, Katie, is 10. She thought it was interesting because she had never heard of SPD before. I asked her if the character in the book reminded her of anyone, thinking maybe she's been exposed to someone with sensory processing issues at school, but she said no. My 14 year old also read the book, and had not heard of SPD prior to reading it.
I appreciated that the girl in the book learned to *use her words* through the help of occupational therapy. We've absolutely had times where we needed to redirect screaming to using words.
May 31, 2021
I'm Not Weird, I Have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): Alexandra's Journey by Chynna T. Laird, was a wealth of knowledge. I loved that it was told the perspective of a child with SPD. It allowed me to read portions with my son who has a good friend and classmate with SPD. We both learned so much more and I think it will allow my son to have an even better friendship with his classmate. I also work in an elementary school and this book along with it's resources will be a great help in my future interactions with the students. I see this book being reread often.
June 1, 2021
We know a lot of children who are on the spectrum at some level and a few with SPD so I found this book to be a great talking point to read with my kids, to help not only them but myself understand SPD a little bit more. The story is told from a child point of view and with engaging illustrations this will make a good learning tool for younger children to help them understand frustrations that children with SPD and their families may encounter.
January 17, 2014
Do you have any idea what Sensory Processing Disorder is and how it affects people who have it? Alexandra is a young girl who has a problem. Noises, even whispers, hurt her ears. Smells bother her nose, and her food doesn’t taste good. Lights in stores bother her eyes. Things feel bad on her skin. As a result she often screams to block out these frightening things. Sometimes she also spins around or squeezes into tight places. Some people think that she’s weird. What is causing Alexandra’s problems, and what can she and her parents do about them?
An Occupational Therapist tells Mama and Daddy that Alexandra has Sensory Processing Disorder or SPD for short. Her brain doesn’t process things the same way that everyone else’s brain does. When she smells something or someone touches her, her brain gets the message but doesn’t understand how to read it. Her brain jumbles up the messages that it receives and gets confused. So she gets scared and screams. They also learn techniques that will help Alexandra to cope with her disorder. When I was on the board of the Greater St. Louis Area Home Educators Expo, one of the frequent requests we received was to choose special needs speakers who would help homeschooling parents deal with sensory processing issues in their children.
I'm Not Weird, I Have SPD was inspired by author Chynna Laird’s daughter, Jaimie, who struggles with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) every day. The book, for which Kindle and ePub editions are also available, was written to show those with SPD that there are other children who feel things the way they do. It can help youngsters with SPD learn how to explain their disorder to others; help peers understand what children with SPD go through; and also help therapists, teachers, and/or counselors learn how to talk about it. The new 2nd edition includes some suggested activities which teachers or caregivers can do with children to help develop a deeper understanding of how SPD "feels" plus an interview with Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, director of the STAR Center at Denver, CO, and a recognized expert in the field. Alexandra learns that she’s not weird—she just has Sensory Processing Disorder.
An Occupational Therapist tells Mama and Daddy that Alexandra has Sensory Processing Disorder or SPD for short. Her brain doesn’t process things the same way that everyone else’s brain does. When she smells something or someone touches her, her brain gets the message but doesn’t understand how to read it. Her brain jumbles up the messages that it receives and gets confused. So she gets scared and screams. They also learn techniques that will help Alexandra to cope with her disorder. When I was on the board of the Greater St. Louis Area Home Educators Expo, one of the frequent requests we received was to choose special needs speakers who would help homeschooling parents deal with sensory processing issues in their children.
I'm Not Weird, I Have SPD was inspired by author Chynna Laird’s daughter, Jaimie, who struggles with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) every day. The book, for which Kindle and ePub editions are also available, was written to show those with SPD that there are other children who feel things the way they do. It can help youngsters with SPD learn how to explain their disorder to others; help peers understand what children with SPD go through; and also help therapists, teachers, and/or counselors learn how to talk about it. The new 2nd edition includes some suggested activities which teachers or caregivers can do with children to help develop a deeper understanding of how SPD "feels" plus an interview with Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, director of the STAR Center at Denver, CO, and a recognized expert in the field. Alexandra learns that she’s not weird—she just has Sensory Processing Disorder.
July 27, 2012
Chynna Laird was inspired by her daughter to write I'm Not Weird, I Have SPD. Chynna not only wanted to write this book to help her daughter deal with the emotions that came with Sensory Processing Disorder, but wanted to help the children around her understand it as well. This book is an amazing resource for teachers and parents. Its not always easy to put other's emotions into words, or describe how people feel. Also, children cannot always put these things into perspective for others.
When I was in college, I was a teacher's aid at a day care. One of the children had SPD. I had no idea what this was and researched it to help me help this child. I never found anything like this. If I had this book at the time, I am sure I could have understood him better and helped him.
As parents, we can never predict who will be in the class with our children, or who they will make friends with. It is a good idea to learn something about disorders that occur in children so that we can help ours connect and understand the world around them.
The book teaches children what SPD is, and how it effects those with the disorder. It also helps children who have been diagnosed learn to communicate their feelings. SPD can make children not like being touched, not like certain sounds, tastes, and smells. But, this book can teach children to communicate these feelings and understand that its okay.
I think I'm Not Weird, I Have SPD can do more than just help understand the disorder. It can also help other children learn to cope with their feelings. Children have to learn to communicate in ways besides screaming and throwing a tantrum. This book can be implemented to help them tell us why they get so upset.
The book also includes teacher and parent resources at the back with fun activities to further the lessons in the book. I'm Not Weird, I Have SPD would be an amazing resource for any library, classroom, or home.
When I was in college, I was a teacher's aid at a day care. One of the children had SPD. I had no idea what this was and researched it to help me help this child. I never found anything like this. If I had this book at the time, I am sure I could have understood him better and helped him.
As parents, we can never predict who will be in the class with our children, or who they will make friends with. It is a good idea to learn something about disorders that occur in children so that we can help ours connect and understand the world around them.
The book teaches children what SPD is, and how it effects those with the disorder. It also helps children who have been diagnosed learn to communicate their feelings. SPD can make children not like being touched, not like certain sounds, tastes, and smells. But, this book can teach children to communicate these feelings and understand that its okay.
I think I'm Not Weird, I Have SPD can do more than just help understand the disorder. It can also help other children learn to cope with their feelings. Children have to learn to communicate in ways besides screaming and throwing a tantrum. This book can be implemented to help them tell us why they get so upset.
The book also includes teacher and parent resources at the back with fun activities to further the lessons in the book. I'm Not Weird, I Have SPD would be an amazing resource for any library, classroom, or home.
March 8, 2014
This book is full of so much information. I have listed it as being for all ages because I know I learned a TON about Sensory Processing Disorder. It is written using simple enough language that a child could understand it. It delves into the many things that a child with SPD can experience and how they react. Many of them just scream all the time because their brain can't interpret any of the things they feel. Light hurts their eyes, touch burns their skin or tickles them, smells may change from smelling good to terrible...Things change for these people. They may start off completely normal and then have the things they love suddenly feel bad to them. The end of the story makes it sound like kids can be taught how to overcome some of the difficulties with their disease. They can be happy once they have found ways to cope with their confused senses. I found this to be very enlightening. It made me think that parents would benefit from reading this book as much as a child. I can now look at my children and hope not to see the signs of SPD in them, but at least now I know what the signs are.
Read more reviews at Identity Discovery Blog.
Read more reviews at Identity Discovery Blog.
March 8, 2014
This book is full of so much information. I have listed it as being for all ages because I know I learned a TON about Sensory Processing Disorder. It is written using simple enough language that a child could understand it. It delves into the many things that a child with SPD can experience and how they react. Many of them just scream all the time because their brain can't interpret any of the things they feel. Light hurts their eyes, touch burns their skin or tickles them, smells may change from smelling good to terrible...Things change for these people. They may start off completely normal and then have the things they love suddenly feel bad to them. The end of the story makes it sound like kids can be taught how to overcome some of the difficulties with their disease. They can be happy once they have found ways to cope with their confused senses. I found this to be very enlightening. It made me think that parents would benefit from reading this book as much as a child. I can now look at my children and hope not to see the signs of SPD in them, but at least now I know what the signs are.
Read more reviews at Identity Discovery Blog.
Read more reviews at Identity Discovery Blog.
July 9, 2012
I was really excited to win this book from Goodreads First Reads. This book is excellent for children and adults. The narrator is a little girl named Alexandra who has Sensory Processing Disorder. She explains how her disability affects every aspect of life. This book will help children with SPD understand that they are not weird. It will help non-disabled children understand classmates with disabilities better. This book is also great for teachers and parents. I plan on keeping this book in my Resource classroom. I would love to see other books like this written that would include other disabilities, such as, "I'm Not Weird, I have Down's Syndrome." I also loved that the author and her daughter wrote a note and signed the book.
July 8, 2012
This book will be a good teaching tool for my grandkids. Is age appropiate for 4 to 9 maybe it will teach two youngest the difference between themselves(one gifted the other a constant struggle) Love books like this that teach lessons.Look forward to updates.
Read the book to my two younger grandkids.They were full of questions as to why and how another
child could feel things differently then themselves. So the book did reach both and made them think.
Read the book to my two younger grandkids.They were full of questions as to why and how another
child could feel things differently then themselves. So the book did reach both and made them think.
July 14, 2012
This book allows us to understand not only what SPD is, but gives us a better grasp on what children that have Sensory Processing Disorder are going through in their everyday life. In the back of the book, you will find some great tips on how to make the world not so scary for a child with SPD, and tools that will help those who interact with a child that has this disorder, have a better understanding on the subject.
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August 15, 2016Seeing as I have a child on the spectrum we love to read all the kids books like this to help him understand that it is ok to be different.Embrace it.
September 7, 2016
This book really makes you understand SPD, and will make you more empathetic, and love Chynna! A must read!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews