Parenting a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder: A Family Guide to Understanding and Supporting Your Sensory-Sensitive Child
In raising children with or without special needs, nothing is more important than the family unit. This book will enable you to enhance your child’s sensory development. Additionally, it will help you ensure that your child and all family members not only survive, but, indeed, THRIVE! When your whole family thrives, you can best ensure your child’s optimum development over the short and long range of life. -Ann Turnbull, Ed.D., Co-Founder and Co-Director, The Beach Center on Disabilities – University of Kansas
Auer and Blumberg have lent their insight, passion, and compassion to this workbook. In so doing they have also provided a guidebook—and a preamble of advocacy for children and their families.
—Morton Ann Gernsbacher, Ph.D., Vilas Research Professor and Sir Frederic C. Bartlett Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
It has been said that a family of five is akin to five people lying side-by-side on a waterbed: whenever one person moves, everyone feels the ripple. A child with sensory processing disorder can have a devastating impact upon the day-to-day functioning of a family. There are several books available that provide data and information on the nature of this puzzling disorder, but Auer and Blumberg have written a valuable book that finally provides parents with specific strategies and practical solutions to the daily challenges faced by these special children and their families. While other books define the problem, Auer and Blumberg offer techniques to minimize the effect of the disorder on the child's daily life. I strongly recommend this book to any adult who is parenting a child with a sensory processing problem—and to the professionals who are assisting moms and dads on this challenging journey.
—Richard D. Lavoie, M.A., M.Ed., author of It’s So Much Work to Be Your Friend and executive producer of How Difficult Can This Be? The F.A.T. City Workshop
Finally a book that treats SPD in the full context that it deserves: not as a co-condition or as another obstacle but as a full fledged challenge to the complete inclusion of individuals with unique learning styles. The collaborative integration of the senses accounts for your picking up this book, examining it and deciding on whether to make it part of your library. Auer and Blumberg walk you through how that process is both derailed and rekindled.
—Rick Rader, MD, editor-in-chief of Exceptional Parent magazine and director of the Morton J. Kent Habilitation Center
Read this with a highlighter in hand, because you will want to refer many times to the wise and wonderful ideas in this splendid how-to book. The authors are not only sensitive and resourceful parents of kids with SPD, but also articulate, honest, and sensible writers.
—Carol S. Kranowitz, MA, author of The Out-of-Sync Child
More Info: Sensory Processing Disorder: A Family Guide to Understanding & Supporting Your Sensory-Sensitive Child
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The Nobel Prize for Parents and Families with Special Needs Children
This past weekend, nine Nobel Peace Prize winners gathered in Denver to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Peace Jam (www.peacejam.org). A tenth Nobel Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, provided a video interview, but could not attend due to being under house arrest in Burma since 1989.
The Executive Director of my office was able to spend the entire weekend with these Laureates, including Archbishop Desmond Tuto, the Dalai Lama, and Jody Williams - whose efforts led to an international treaty to ban the use of landmines. Our Director recounted her weekend at our staff meeting on Monday. Through her description, I felt as though I had been there with her. I was in awe. Imagine being embraced by the Archbishop, or being blessed by the Dalai Lama.
Yet, it wasn't the stories that captivated my heart; it was the ice breaker question she asked each of us, "What does Peace mean to you?" I felt shaken. The answer was easy. I explained the story of my oldest brother - that he was recommended for placement in the state mental institution at the age of 2 or 3. I also told of his outcome, that he graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor's degree after ten years of persistence and was now living independently, with a decent job. I also shared that many times, I felt absolutely embarrassed to be with him in public, and at the same time wanting to destroy those that tormented him.
Peace to me meant the few times in my life when someone has absolutely, unconditionally accepted my brother for who he is. This has happened only several times. When it happens though, I am astounded. I feel deeply humbled; these people are better human beings than I. I can't describe the experience other than to say that it's overpowering, and at that moment I can see the true potential of humanity. What is even more remarkable is these few people have accepted my brother not for any recognition, and their acceptance doesn't come from any statement. It's their attitude and demeanor and sense of calm themselves.
What does this have to do with parents and families? We too grow to accept our children for who they are - not for any reward or recognition. Through our acceptance, we are able to model the potential of humanity for others. Like the Nobel Laureates, our actions stem from a responsibility for the world, for our children, and for what is right. It's what we are called to do. I think there should be a new category of Nobel Prize; one for parents and families with special needs children, to be shared by all each and every year.
Look for Chris' New Book -
Parenting a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder: A Family Guide to Understanding and Supporting Your Sensory-Sensitive Child
Parenting a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder: A Family Guide to Understanding and Supporting Your Sensory-Sensitive Child (Christopher Auer, MA with Susan L.Blumberg, Ph.D., New Harbinger Publications, December 2006) www.newharbinger.com
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More Special Need Children Articles
Back To School
Diagnoses - What's the Point? - Special Need Children
The Nobel Prize for Parents and Families with Special Needs Children
Holiday Gifts, Toys, Educational Toys and Crafts for Special Need Children
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About the Author
Christopher R. Auer is the Board President of the KID (Knowledge in Development) Foundation, founded by Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D.,OTR and was appointed by the Governor of Colorado to the Interagency Coordinating Council , which oversees disability services to children birth to three throughout the state. He is the parent of three incredible children, one of whom is diagnosed with ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder. Chris is also a sibling to person with an autistic spectrum disorder. Visit his website at www.spdresources.com/.
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