The Premiere Sensory Integration
Clinic in New Mexico
Resources
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) happens when the brain is unable to interpret sensory signals (e.g., vision, hearing, movement, taste, etc.) in expected ways; this prevents the brain from organizing and acting upon sensory information. A person experiencing SPD may display clumsiness, picky eating, behavioral problems, signs of anxiety or depression, difficulty in school, and/or difficulties performing everyday tasks. SPD is also known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction.
KidPower Therapy Associates, PC, emphasizes and specializes in evaluating and treating Sensory Processing Disorders. Clinicians and parents alike are encouraged to utilize the following resources related to SPD:
Sensory Integration and the Child: 25th Anniversary Edition was written by Jean Ayres, PhD, OTR, who was the pioneering occupational therapist in sensory integration. This parent-friendly edition of the clinical classic describes SPD in detail and includes information on signs and treatment of SPD.
Our Hearts’ Desire was written by Marci Laurel, MA, CCC-SLP, a clinician and parent of a child who experienced SPD, and KidPower’s executive director, Carla Cay Williams, OT/L. This parent-friendly book chronicles Marci’s experiences raising a child who was experiencing SPD and details the neurological basis of SPD. The book also provides signs of SPD throughout the lifespan, tips for helping with SPD in daily life, and resources to empower parents of children who are experiencing SPD (e.g., letters to dentists, doctors, teachers, etc). *This book is available to purchase at KidPower’s reception desk*
Sensational Kids, written by Lucy Jane Miller, PhD, OTR, describes SPD, treatment options, and coping strategies for parents, teachers and other caregivers. *This book is available to purchase at KidPower’s reception desk*
The Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Kranowitz, MA, and Lucy Jane Miller, PhD, OTR, provides information on identifying SPD and provides resources for parents of children who are experiencing SPD.
The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun by Carol Kranowitz, MA, is the companion to The Out-of-Sync Child (see above) and contains more than a hundred playful activities designed for children who are experiencing SPD. These activities are parent-friendly and many are easily adaptable to at-home supports for SPD.
The Nurtured Heart Approach was developed by Howard Glasser, MA, and is a set of strategies based on the idea that many “difficult children” act out because they receive more energetic attention from misbehavior than they do for behaving well. These strategies emphasize positive reinforcement, reward systems, and low-energy consequences.
Positive Discipline, by Jane Nelsen, EdD, provides strategies for discipline that teaches life lessons, is respectful and encouraging, provides a sense of connection, and encourages children to discover their own power.
Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline, MD, and Jim Fay provides a framework for raising a responsible child based on strategies to take advantage of learning opportunities, set limits through thinking words, providing children with choices, and providing consequences with empathy.
The Whole Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel, MD, and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD, discusses the different parts of the brain (including those involved in SPD) and their impact on a child’s behavior. The book also includes strategies for dealing with everyday struggles and teaching children about the brain and its impact on their actions.
No-Drama Discipline by Daniel J. Siegel, MD, and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD, incorporates ideas from the authors’ first book, The Whole Brain Child (see above), into strategies for discipline that emphasize lesson-teaching and incorporate analysis of behavior causes, compassion, positive-reinforcement, and disciplinary decisions made by the child.
Related Blogs
Occupational Therapy Blogs
The Recycling Occupational Therapist is a blog written by Barbara Smith, which focuses on using every-day materials during treatment for children on the Autism spectrum.
Mama OT is written by Christie, an OT and mom with a background in gymnastics, psychology, and education. Her blog includes information on developmental milestones, resources, information on sensory processing disorder, and recommended toys and gifts related to occupational therapy.
The Pocket Occupational Therapist is written by Cara, who was an OT before she had two children born with Autism. When Cara couldn’t find quality treatment for her children and their sensory processing challenges, she began home-schooling them to provide them with the supports they need. Her website includes a blog full of ideas for fine motor activities, sensory supports, and advocacy advice among other topics.
Speech-Language Pathology Blogs
Mommy Speech Therapy– This blog is written by Heidi Hanks, MS, CCC-SLP, who is a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) with experience in Early Intervention (EI) and private practice. Her website includes therapy ideas, worksheets, and references (e.g., tables listing age expectations).
Talk it Upis a blog written by Ashley, a SLP with experience with grades 1-8, and contains ideas for a variety of speech objectives (articulation, language, etc.).
Screen Free Clinic Information
Young Children in the Digital Age: A Parents Guide
by Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Ed.D.