Customer Reviews
cant live without it 
2008-06-09
this book answers all the questions ive ever had about my special needs child. it is so well written. ive bought a copy for all of my close family members so they know all the aspects of my childs disorder. saying i love it would be an understatement.
Too Technical 
2008-04-05
This book was some what helpful if you have no idea what Sensory is. However, I found it to technical and little information on an action plan or helpful hints!
fabulous book for parents with spd affected kids 2008-03-29
This book was recommended by my son's OT as a springboard to understanding SPD. I found it to be enlightening and informative. Some of the technical chapters can get a bit tangled but the advice given is valuable to any parent with an SPD affected child. Awareness is the first step and this book contains tools to help a parent recognize and seek help for their child. I highly recommend it.
BUY this BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!! 2008-03-25
This book is a MUST HAVE if you have a child with Sensory Processing Disorder, SID, autism, Asperger's ANYTHING! It has things to look for and helps you to understand SPD much more! Also great for kids who work with special needs kids!
Completely opened my eyes 
2008-03-02
This book was recommended to me by an Occupational Therapist after he evaluated my son through the state. At this point, I had no idea what SI was or that my son had it (also autism diagnosis). Since then, this book has become my primary resource for my son and other children I encounter. I've given copies to every member of my family and to my son's teachers. Why? Because it explains why kids do and act the way they do when they have sensory dysfunction.
One thing my son used to do was put his head on the ground to look at toys. He also used to avoid touching paint, glue, playDoh. He couldn't tolerate a playground and even family birthday parties were overwhelming. This book explains all of these things - all of the reasons why my son was acting the way he was. And since then, with the help of an occupational therapist, we've corrected these behaviors. My son is happier than ever. He still has SI, but he knows how to avoid certain situations and he's learning how to adapt to school, parks, the world in general.
Carol Stock Kranowitz explains and gives examples of why some kids act out in class, are aggressive, shy, etc. Anyone who is around special needs children will benefit from the knowledge on these pages. It's changed my entire world.
Like with anything new, learning the ins and outs of sensory integration takes time. It's not a super easy read and until you're familiar with the terms (tactile, vestibular, proprioception, gravitational insecurity, etc) it takes some getting used to. Don't be turned off by this last sentence, anyone can learn it and understand and then apply the techniques.
Id even recommend this for parents of typical children as everyone can benefit.
Here's the parts the book is split into:
1. Recognizing Sensory Integration Dysfunction
2. Coping with Sensory Integration Dysfunction
Some of the chapters include:
Does your child have Sensory Integration Dysfunction?
How to tell if your child has a problem with the Tactile sense
Your child at Home
Your child at School
Coping with your child's emotions
Looking at your child in a new light
There are also a number of resources listed in the back of the book.
Can't Say Enough Good Things 2008-07-16
This book was recommended to me by my son's occupational therapist. I finally got around to reading it about six months into his therapy. My only regret is that it took me so long! It brought comfort to my husband and I that much of our child's "difficult" behaviors could be explained in such a sensible way. For instance, we never could understand why he would hit other children at daycare when they tried to gently touch his shoulder. Now we realize that light touch actually is painful to him. The quizzes are wonderfully effective tools. They helped us to know what specific things we needed to ask our OT to help him with.
Making Sense of Sensory Disorders 2008-07-16
I found this book to be very informative about sensory disorders and ways to help children overcome them.
The first section dealt with the types of sensory disorders. This became somewhat drawn out for me. There were paragraphs about each type of sensory processing along with a chart of normal and SPD kids reactions. I found that the charts were more interesting to read and that I was able to see the disconnection of the child with SPD much better. The checklists for identifying which SPD your child might have were interesting in the details it provides. Unfortunately(?), my son never really fell into one category but had a few "hits" in many categories.
The second part dealt with ways to help SPD kids overcome their issues. I found this section to be the best part of the book. It showed ways to provide support at home and at school. It gave examples again between normal and SPD kids. I found myself highlighting much of the chapter on how to help kids with SPD progress. I'm looking forward to working with my son on those activities.
Overall, the book was very good. For those who have researched SPD before, the first section might be a bit repetitive. But, the second section was well worth it!
A Parent's/Caregiver's Must!!!!!! 2008-07-08
This book has been Heaven sent, in helping to understand and developed stratigies for my 4 year old son, with Sensory Intergration function and High Functioning Autism. Don't get me wrong it is not a cure all, but helped me understand his sensory issues; therefore, I could aide him in certain areas. I was also able to communicate better with his OT and Developmental Pediatician. I have gained an insight into which sensory areas he has difficuly with. One Example: Never really understood why he would only sleep with 3 blankets over him, covered head to toe. After reading this book, I have come to realize he has a sensory need for deep pressure/touch. Light touch/pressure stimulates a pain response for him. Once this was realized, I spoke with his OT who gave me a list of techinques to intergrate deep pressure into his daily routine. Now this need is not as frequent in some areas. Highly recommend this book to anyone who cares for or teaches children with sensory issues. I have recommended this book to two parents, whom were grateful to have read it. It's clear cut, not full of medical jargon. I am gratefull to the authors for writting this book.
Outstanding Resource!! 2008-06-20
As a clinical psychologist, I have found this book to be invaluable in learning how to screen for Sensory Integration/Processing Disorders, to make recommendations for more precise assessment & services, and to educate parents and other clinicians about this area of practice. Most mental health clinicians--and even teachers--are fairly unknowing when it comes to this topic, I have found. I know that I was certainly in the dark about it until obtaining this book. The only complaint I can make is that the actual book itself is 'poorly integrated' and just completely fell apart after a couple of years! I wish there was a hardback version, but I am going to order a copy of the revised edition and hope for an improved binding! Highly, highly recommended for clinicians, educators, and parents.
Incredible, life changing book 2008-06-19
If you have a child that is just a little "out-of-sync" with their peers, this book is for you! A college friend that was a practicing Occupational Therapist recommended this book after I asked for her opinion on my second childs behavior during a gathering of friends at our home a few years ago. At the time (2003 - I read the first edition of the book), not many doctors or therapists were educated in working with sensory disorders. Even today 5 years later, many people will look at you like you have 10 heads if you start talking about it. I however, felt that the author must have been hiding in my house while writing the book. It was my child to a tee! I have continued to recommend this book no less than once a month since then and get feedback from people that it was perfect for understanding their child.
