Book Reviews on Special Needs
and Disability Topics

SENSORY WORLD,
WWW.SENSORYWORLD.COMAn imprint of
FUTURE HORIZONS, INC.
WWW.FHAUTISM.COMOctober 2011
Review by Special Needs Almanac
Sensational Journeys: 48 Personal Stories of Sensory Processing DisorderHartley Steiner
www.sensoryworld.comAs many as one in six children have sensory issues significant enough to impact daily life. If your child does, or if you are a teacher or caregiver of a child with sensory issues, you may sometimes find their responses to things in their environment to be baffling and frustrating. You know the child is uncomfortable, yet you don’t know how to relieve her discomfort. You know the child is not having a meltdown for the purpose of annoying you, but you don’t know how to diffuse the situation and just make it stop.
Sensory processing issues can lead to misunderstandings, confusion and hurt feelings. You may hear from others that the child is spoiled or picky. People may imply or even say that the child is the way she is because you are a lousy parent. Almost every parent of a child with sensory processing disorder has heard from a friend or relative (or even stranger) that there is “nothing wrong with that child that a good spanking wouldn’t fix.” One hopes these people would not respond to a child’s seizures or other medical issues with such ignorance and lack of compassion.
You have already experienced the blame and judgment from others. Swirling with these emotions are your feelings of frustration at not being able to make things better for your child, and your feelings of isolation as you look around at other parents who do not have to deal with these issues. You need to know that you are not alone, and that things can and will get better. It is extremely important, however, that you realize that sensory processing disorder does not get better or go away on its own. Children do not just “grow out” of it. Left untreated, it can even worsen. You must take action to help your child.
In Sensational Journeys: 48 Personal Stories of Sensory Processing Disorder, Hartley Steiner provides the factual information you need, and the stories of 48 families who have walked your path. You will realize you are not alone. You will have a better understanding of Sensory Processing Disorder. And, best of all, you will have the tools to help make your child’s life better. There is hope, and it is found in this excellent book.
Foreword: Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D., OTR
Chapter 1: Sensory Seekers, Avoiders, and Underresponders
Chapter 2: Stand-Alone SPD
Chapter 3: SPD with a Diagnosis of Autism
Chapter 4: Siblings
Chapter 5: Domestic Adoption
Chapter 6: International Adoption
Chapter 7: Preemies
Chapter 8: Infertility
Chapter 9: Early Intervention
Chapter 10: It Will Get Better
The book also contains highly useful:
- Introduction
- Resources (online resources for SPD)
- Additional Resources (books about SPD)
About the Author:Hartley Steiner is the author of the award-winning book, This is Gabriel Making Sense of School. She has three sons, about whom she writes in her blog, Hartley’s Life with 3 Boys. She is the founder of the SPD Blogger Network and is a contributing writer for the Autism Spectrum Quarterly and the S.I. Focus magazine.
Highly recommended for parents, family members and caregivers of children with autism.
Five stars out of five.
Reviewer: Special Needs Almanac
The Source for Special Needs
www.SpecialNeedsAlmanac.com
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