Ultimately, this manual and the way in which clinicians apply its guidance impacts every patient treated by the mental health community. It’s a significant development for all clinicians.Continue reading →
With my recent post about Sensory Processing Disorder and Autism (click here), there has been a lot of discussion about what the difference is between Asperger’s and Autism as well. The Autism Society has written up a terrific round-up of the perceived differences between Asperger’s and Autism.
Amazon Description: Winner of Learning Magazine‘s Teachers Choice Award, the first edition of 1001 Great Ideas has been a treasured resource in the autism community since 2004. Now, in this expanded edition, Ellen Notbohm (best-selling author of the revolutionary book Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew) and Veronica Zysk (award-winning author and editor of Autism Asperger’s Digestmagazine) present parents and educators with over 1800 ideas try-it-now tips, eye-opening advice, and grassroots strategies. More than 600 fresh ideas join tried and true tactics from the original edition, while many ideas pick up where the first edition left off, offering modifications for older kids, honing in on Asperger’s challenges, and enhancing already-effective ways to help your child or student achieve success at home, in school, and in the community.
Today we welcome guest blogger Dr. Sherri Singer, Psy.D., Child & Family Psychologist. You can find her at her website.
When it Comes to Sandy Hook, Sometimes a Headline Can Be Dangerous for Kids
Sometimes a headline can be dangerous. Sometimes journalists who are trying to inform, can create more danger for the weakest of us. The sensationalizing of news stories is a common thing and we are all aware of it, but sometimes it can hurt kids. Continue reading →
Book: Disconnected Kids: The Groundbreaking Brain Balance Program for Children with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Disorders
Amazon Description: Each year, an estimated 1.5 million children-one out of every six-are diagnosed with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD, dyslexia, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Dr. Robert Melillo brings a fundamentally new understanding to the cause of these conditions with his revolutionary Brain Balance Program(tm). It has achieved real, fully documented results that have dramatically improved the quality of life for children and their families in every aspect: behavioral, emotional, academic, and social. Disconnected Kids shows parents how to use this drug-free approach at home Continue reading →
Book: The New Social Story Book, Revised and Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition: Over 150 Social Stories that Teach Everyday Social Skills to Children with Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome, and their Peers
Amazon Description: Social Stories provide REAL social understanding! Carol Gray developed the Social Story in 1991 to promote social understanding in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Now, nearly twenty years after their inception, Social Stories have become a standard approach for teachers and parents all over the globe, and the stories are more effective than ever! Continue reading →
Book: Building Sensory Friendly Classrooms to Support Children with Challenging Behaviors: Implementing Data Driven Strategies!
Amazon Description: Rebecca Moyes, a teacher, author, renowned lecturer, and mother of a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, helps walk any regular education or special education teacher through the process of setting up a sensory-friendly classroom in this easy to use book.
This is currently the only book that discusses the importance of data-driven strategies, and then helps teachers implement them! Sensory integration disorder often presents as a behavioral problem; thus, although it’s an internal state, it has to be addressed based on what observable behaviors are seen in the child. Rebecca is able to take the data and work out how to make any student’s, (and teacher’s!), life easier.
Thank you for the outpouring reaction to the first official month of Voices of Sensory Processing Disorder. We’ve had some amazing pieces published this past month! Be sure to listen and find out how these Voices can help you find your own.
Hello friends. It’s time to rip off the Band-aide and just start. No more excuses. No more thinking. Just do it already, Jennifer! After all, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one simple step. So I offer you Voices of Sensory Processing Disorder.
For the first year we knew my son had Sensory Processing Disorder, we didn’t exactly hide it but I didn’t talk about it publicly. Then, once I started letting friends know about it, I decided it was better to be honest than to try to hide the fact that we were facing SPD as a family.
I was recently inspired by a hater who thinks I’m “CRAZY” because I write this blog. This opened my eyes to the fact that there are probably many people who think I’m crazy for airing my dirty laundry onto the Internet, and I felt the need to step onto my soapbox for a moment. Thank you for humoring me.
There’s a lot I don’t understand about SPD (and probably never will), but I know my son copes with his intolerances, discomfort, fears and anxieties with rules. A lot of rules. As his Mama, it turns out that I have rules, too.
Has anyone ever heard of sensory processing disorder? Well, I sure as hell never did. Sensory Processing Disorder is pretty much the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever encountered in my life. It sounds like something some sick bastard invented to tell kids to scare them in an attempt to get them to behave.
Last Christmas my sister bought Mr. Sensitive a new winter coat. It was thick and warm and had Mr. Sensitive’s favorite race cars on it. He looked at the pictures on his coat and returned to playing with his new Christmas toys. I thanked my sister for the expensive gift. No big deal, my husband and I thought. He can try it on later. Were we ever wrong.
In 2010, after getting accepted into graduate school to obtain my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, I started work with a new therapist, and my life changed. I told her about my history and described that maybe I had something wrong with me sensory-wise. Before our second session was over, we were on her laptop, and I was taking a quiz to see if I had sensory issues. And why yes. Yes, I did.
I know some of these people mean well when they tell me he’s perfectly fine, but most of their comments are rude and plain insulting, and I know I’m not alone in this.
Visiting the local library, I noticed the shelves of books preparing tots for their first day of kindergarten. But I had to wonder, where are the books preparing the parents for the first day of kindergarten? This momentous move is presented as a rite of passage for our five and six year olds. But we parents are often overlooked. Isn’t this a rite of passage for us as well? And today holds great significance for SPD parents.
I have NLD. Nonverbal learning disabilities (or anydisability) is like a mountain between where you are and where you want to go. But there are ways to attack the mountain of sensory overload problems and ways of coping.
What words of advice can I offer after going through all of this? To parents: trust your instincts. You know your baby better than anyone. Don’t let the judgemental looks or well-meant comments question yourself.
She took it upon herself to plug her nose when everyone at her table was eating bologna sandwiches. I was beyond excited for her! Excited that she learned a few coping skills all on her own! That she didn’t isolate herself from everyone else. It was a pretty proud mama bear moment for me.
For those of you whose children were diagnosed recently, I recommend you start a sensory diet. I really thought this was about food at first. I had never heard of this before. When the Neuropsychologist who diagnosed Adrian suggested a sensory diet, I asked which foods he meant. A sensory diet are activities that help your child process sensory input.
Ultimately, this manual and the way in which clinicians apply its guidance impacts every patient treated by the mental health community. It’s a significant development for all clinicians.
Continue reading 
The Sensory Spectrum 