The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder
By Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A. New Preface by Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D. OTR

Reviewed by IP Deputy Editor, Erin Kelly Allshouse

This revised and updated edition has 'become the parents' bible to Sensory Processing Disorder' according to the New York Times and has de-mystified such a bewildering topic. It is also the book that teachers or Occupational Therapists may suggest that parents of a child with SPD pick up and read.

This groundbreaking book explains Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) —and presents a drug-free approach that offers hope for parents and caretakers as well as thorough background on its nature and issues. Rather than blaming themselves, parents can get on with the job of addressing their child's underlying difficulties to meet their special needs for continued growth with this guide.

From recognizing if your child has common symptoms of SPD to "look-alike" symptoms; to diagnosing the problem, keeping records, deciding if your child needs professional help to promoting healthy sensory processing at home and school and much, much more, you will be awakened and encouraged with such valuable information as you probe the well researched contents of this book.

As we gain new knowledge about SPD disabilities, we can begin to focus on helping individuals overcome and work with their specific issues as early as possible. Individuals with these issues look typical yet subtle areas of their nervous systems are not functioning as they should. These differences result in behaviors that confuse, frustrate and anger parents and teacher. They wonder why these kids might lack self-help skills, become aggressive, withdraw in a group or refuse to participate in certain activities or sports.

How does a child know how to do such complex and sequential tasks as jumping or climbing? How does a child acquire the complex skills to tie a shoe or write thoughts on a page? Dr. A. Jean Ayres studied these children with sensory and motor problems and expanded our thinking to look at the whole integrative process needed for our brain to tell our body what to do. Dr. Ayres integrates our thinking in this book and from her research when she explains how many sensory systems must work independently and as a team to accomplish these and many other tasks of childhood. She describes the essential roles our tactile and vestibular systems play in the process of coordinating sensory information with motor activity as well as breaking down the differences between the disorders and its common symptoms to look for.

This understanding of sensory integration has led to interventions to help these children. Sensory Integration Therapy focuses on correcting, improving and/or compensating for sensory processing disorders.

Carol Kranowitz has done an excellent job of taking complex material and presenting it in a way that can be understood-and used. Parents who read this book will understand motor--planning problems, as well as tactile sensitivity and vestibular-proprioceptive difficulties. The format of the book goes beyond this understanding, offering creative ideas on helping the child or adolescent handle the challenges within the family, with peers and in school. She helps parents understand what help is needed, and how to get it through a chapter full of resources at the back of the book.

Knowledge is empowering and The Out-of-Sync Child empowers parents to be the successful and productive parents they want to be with such wise and practical information.

This 353 page paperback book is published by Perigree Trade. Prices vary on the Internet with online booksellers or you can order directly at www.penguin.com.

Also from Carol Stock Kranowitz, MA:

The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun

Answers to Questions Teachers Ask About Sensory Integration by Jane Koomar, Carol Kranowitz, Stacey Szklut, and others

Goodenoughs Get in Sync

Preschool Sensory Scan for Educators

Getting Kids in Sync DVD

The Out-of-Sync Child DVD

The above books and DVDs are available from Sensory Resources, 2690 Chandler Avenue, Suite 8, Las Vegas, NV 89120. Toll Free: 888.357.5867. Phone: 702.433.0404. Fax: 702.891.8899.