Table of Contents
Foreword xiii
Acknowledgments xix
Introduction 1
What Sensory Processing Disorder Is 2
What It's Like to Have SPD 3
What We Know about SPD 4
Strategies to Help Parents 6
Chapter 1 What Is SPD? 9
Problem Child or SPD? 10
No Recognition for a Real Disorder 17
Whom SPD Affects and How 20
The Three Types of SPD 26
Mixed Subtypes 31
What the Research Tells Us about SPD 44
Other Research Possibilities 45
Chapter 2 What It's Like to Have SPD 49
What Causes SPD? 50
How to Step into Your Child's Shoes 51
Real Stories of Kids with SPD 53
Case Study: Samantha, Age 8-Difficulty with Speech, Movement, and Touch 54
Case Study: Oliver, Age 5-Difficulty with Speech and Movement 64
Chapter 3 Understanding SPD as a Form of Stress 75
One Reaction Does Not Fit All 77
How Stress Affects Our Bodies 81
Stressed Out and Shut Down 83
When Stress Interferes with Thinking 84
Soldiering On, Fleeing, and Fighting 84
Different Types of Stress 85
Reliving a Stressful Event Again and Again 87
What Studies Tell Us about Understanding Stress-and SPD 88
Three Effects of Stress on the Immune System 89
A Predisposition for Stress and SPD 90
Chapter 4 Helping Your Child Every Day and at Special Events 93
Religious and Cultural Holidays 95
Find Out the Five W's of the Event 96
Tips for Religious and Cultural Holidays 96
Weddings and Funerals 102
The Wedding Planner 103
Funerals 106
Vacations 109
Grocery and Department Stores 110
Comparative Shopping 111
Sports Events 112
At the Game 114
After the Game 114
A Child's Birthday Party 115
The Invitation Arrives 115
Your Child Is at the Party 117
Chapter 5 Assessment,Diagnosis, and Treatment-Where to Begin 119
Step 1 Make a List of Your Concerns 120
Step 2 Fill Out a Symptom Checklist 121
Step 3 Get a Referral to an Occupational Therapist 134
Step 4 Educate Yourself about SPD 136
Step 5 Find an Occupational Therapist Trained to Assess and Treat SPD 137
Step 6 Connect with Community, Local Organizations, Other Families 141
The Assessment Process: What You Need to Know 143
What a Sample Evaluation Looks Like 144
Relevant History 145
Behavioral Observations 147
Recommendations 148
Sample Occupational Therapy Sensory Evaluation 151
What Is a Sensory Diet? 162
Suggested Sensory Diet Activities 164
What You Can Expect from Treatment 167
Sensory Integration Therapy 169
Chapter 6 How to Help Create a Sensory-Friendly Classroom 173
The Effect of SPD on Learning and Functioning at School 174
Creating Sensory-Friendly Classrooms 176
Convincing Schools to Help Your Child 177
Behavior as a Form of Communication 184
Case Study: Ray-Avoiding Embarrassment by Acting Out 187
Case Study: Ali's Story-Fear of Failure 190
Communicating with Your Child's School 192
Chapter 7 The Difference between SPD and Look-Alike Disorders 211
Pervasive Developmental Disorders 212
Autism 213
Asperger Syndrome 215
Nonverbal Learning Disorder 217
The Learning Disorders 219
Attention-Dehcit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Disruptive Behavior Disorders 221
Individual Treatment for Similar Symptoms 223
Children with Bipolar Disorder 229
How Behavioral Challenges Play a Role 230
Case Study: Emily, Age 6-Mood Instability 231
A Helpful Tool-A Developmental History Form 244
Appendix A Typical Developmental Stages in Children 267
Understanding Your Child's Development 268
Piaget's Developmental Theory 268
Sensorimotor Stage 269
Preoperational Stage 269
The Concrete Operational Stage 270
How an Art Project Can Act as a Sensory Feast 270
Formal Operations 271
Appendix B CDC Development Milestones for Children 273
Important Milestones by the End of 3 Months 273
Important Milestones by the End of 7 Months 276
Important Milestones by the End of 12 Months 278
Important Milestones by the End of 2 Years 281
Important Milestones by the End of 3 Years 283
Important Milestones by the End of 4 Years 286
Important Milestones by the End of 5 Years 289
Notes 293
Resources 297
Books 297
Videos 299
Web Sites 300
Organizations 301
Index 303
