Editorial Review
In the publishing tradition of Driven to Distraction or The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing, this prescriptive book by a developmental psychologist and sufferer of Sensory Defensive Disorder (SD) sheds light on a little known but common affliction in which sufferers react to harmless stimuli as irritating, distracting or dangerous.
We all know what it feels like to be irritated by loud music, accosted by lights that are too bright, or overwhelmed by a world that moves too quickly. But millions of people suffer from Sensory Defensive Disorder (SD), a common affliction in which people react to harmless stimuli not just as a distracting hindrance, but a potentially dangerous threat.Sharon Heller, Ph.D. is not only a trained psychologist, she is sensory defensive herself. Bringing both personal and professional perspectives, Dr. Heller is the ideal person to tell the world about this problem that will only increase as technology and processed environments take over our lives. In addition to heightening public awareness of this prevalent issue, Dr. Heller provides tools and therapies for alleviating and, in some cases, even eliminating defensiveness altogether.
Until now, the treatment for sensory defensiveness has been successfully implemented in Learning Disabled children in whom defensiveness tends to be extreme. However, the disorder has generally been unidentified in adults who think they are either overstimulated, stressed, weird, or crazy. These sensory defensive sufferers live out their lives stressed and unhappy, never knowing why or what they can do about it. Now, with Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight, they have a compassionate spokesperson and a solution–oriented book of advice.
Cached date: AWS Called=true
Customer Reviews
Check this out! 
2008-04-16
I found this book while looking for ADD information. I am so glad that I did. I just recently found out about Sensory Integration Dysfunction. This book is very informative in explaining how this disorder is woven into your life and how it plays out in different people. When reading it I found myself saying, "That sounds just like me". The language is a little hard to understand with some of the technical jargon but the sample stories to show how people live with this disorder are great and help the reader to understand what it means. This is overall a good book but I find it just a little to long. If it was more direct and more in layman's terms I would have found it to be better. All in all though, it is good for someone who needs more information on the disorder.
This is unique 
2008-02-23
There are many books about children with sensory processing disorders. This is the only one I have found that deals with adults who have grown up with it. The book is full of practical advice - actual steps one can take to manage sensory input. It's well organized and has a good resource section.
great book 2008-02-18
I have a son that has autism. It is a must read because most of our kids either are under sensitive or over sensitive. This is a very easy to read book. It explains what the Occupational Therapists do with our kids.
Finally! An answer 2008-01-18
This book clearly answers so many questions about sensory defensiveness. It is easy to read with real world examples. I keep nodding as I read, gaining insight, and feeling validated and understood. If you, a loved one, or anyone you know "might" have sensory defensiveness, this book will help. It will make sense. It will give hope. I wish there was a sequel.
Sensory Avoiders this is for you 2007-10-17
This is a good book for people who are sensory avoiders. It helps you figure out why you don't like certain things (noises, crowds, clothes, etc)Be advised it will not help if you or your child are sensory seekers.
Buy it!! I am a psychologist and sufferfer myself. This is the only thing that helped me!!!! 2007-10-01
In the publishing tradition of Driven to Distraction or The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing, this prescriptive book by a developmental psychologist and sufferer of Sensory Defensive Disorder (SD) sheds light on a little known but common affliction in which sufferers react to harmless stimuli as irritating, distracting or dangerous.
We all know what it feels like to be irritated by loud music, accosted by lights that are too bright, or overwhelmed by a world that moves too quickly. But millions of people suffer from Sensory Defensive Disorder (SD), a common affliction in which people react to harmless stimuli not just as a distracting hindrance, but a potentially dangerous threat.Sharon Heller, Ph.D. is not only a trained psychologist, she is sensory defensive herself. Bringing both personal and professional perspectives, Dr. Heller is the ideal person to tell the world about this problem that will only increase as technology and processed environments take over our lives. In addition to heightening public awareness of this prevalent issue, Dr. Heller provides tools and therapies for alleviating and, in some cases, even eliminating defensiveness altogether.
Until now, the treatment for sensory defensiveness has been successfully implemented in Learning Disabled children in whom defensiveness tends to be extreme. However, the disorder has generally been unidentified in adults who think they are either overstimulated, stressed, weird, or crazy. These sensory defensive sufferers live out their lives stressed and unhappy, never knowing why or what they can do about it. Now, with Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight, they have a compassionate spokesperson and a solution–oriented book of advice.
Never too old 2007-08-03
I've always been a bit sensory defensive, but it has escalated a lot in the past year, and I'm 62. This book may be geared to kids and young people, but I found it relevant to my situation, both in understanding what's going on with me, and how to cope with the anxiety. I think it's an excellent book on a subject that not much is being written about.
Revelatory 2007-08-02
I didn't even know what sensory defensiveness was until I was 32, even though I've battled with it all my life. When I did finally discover it, I was given all the books about sensory integration (dysfunction) for parents and children, which were not that helpful. It was hard to apply the information for a 5 year old to my 32 year old life. This book was exactly what I needed. So glad I found it... even more glad that she wrote it!
I've been unable to find any occupational therapists anywhere near me who work with adults and sensory issues. I thought I was doomed to struggle with this on my own until I found this book. It's no substitute for OT, but it's better than nothing. It has opened my eyes to a whole new way of life, and whole new level of functioning.
It's not just for moderately or severely defensive people, either. There's something here for every sensitive person who's sensitivity gets in the way of their joy, I believe.
I highly recommend it. And yes, the cover is sort of a sensory nightmare (to me), but then... that's what grabbed my attention. I may not have found this book without it.
No wonder I am so stressed! 2007-02-08
This book is excellent. It will give you a great deal of information to help you with children, others(and even yourself) who get overloaded by the things of this world. I knew some of the things that made me crazy, but this book showed me even more.....and gave ideas of how to lessen the overload. Very well done and very informative.
For All Those Who Find Stimulation too Much 2007-01-11
This book is great - not just for kids, but adults too, who find that life is just too much at times. Does your child hate tags on clothing, anything with long sleeves, even in winter, anything tight that's not thin and soft? Hates too bright lights (mushroom cave preferred), or any loud sound that isn't theirs?
I have an 18 yr old with Asperger's, and I wish I had this book years and years ago. Then I might have "gotten" what upset her. Why she wants quiet at all times. Why she goes ballistic if the pets/her sister start running around the house, thumping. Why she removes all tags, wants only certain clothes, and has a brown room (brown sheets, blankets, and dark posters/pictures). I found an old black metal sign with a bat on it, and she loved it.
This book helps you to understand the child's needs, and why they seem so outrageous at times to you. And you may find yourself in the book - I did, and realized my reactions to things fit as well.
Great resource for any parent with out-of-sync children, autistic/Asperger's, or those who are just not fitting into the skin of the world.
