Raising a Sensory Smart Child
The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues

Now the most comprehensive guide to sensory processing challenges is more detailed and useful than ever. Loved and celebrated by parents, teachers, therapists, pediatricians and others, the new, expanded edition of Raising a Sensory Smart Child is a must-have book for anyone who cares about a child with sensory issues.

Coauthored by a pediatric occupational therapist (OT) and the mother of a child with sensory processing disorder (SPD), the expanded and updated edition of Raising A Sensory Smart Child is more valuable than ever. As in the past, this “bible” of sensory processing provides:

• Easy-to-follow information on how the senses work together
• How and where to get the very best professional help
• “Sensory diet” activities that meet a child’s needs at home and school, including new ideas for babies, kids, teens, adults, and families
• Practical solutions for daily challenges such as brushing teeth, dressing, and picky eating plus new solutions for going to the doctor, dentist, family gatherings, parties, riding in a car, and more
• “Sensory smart” parenting strategies and how to advocate for your child at school
• New information on the special challenges of helping children on the autism spectrum with sensory issues
• Complementary therapies, resources, helpful Web sites and much more!

In all, the new edition of Raising a Sensory Smart Child is the single most important book for anyone who parents, teaches, works with, or simply cares about a child with sensory issues.

What is Sensory Processing?

We all learn through our senses. Sensory processing is how we transform sensory information from within our own bodies and the external environment into messages we can act on. It’s tempting to think of senses (touch, sight, sound, movement, body awareness, taste, and smell) as separate channels of information, but they work together to give us a reliable picture of the world and our place in it.

Right now your senses are working together. You hear background sounds and feel your clothing, chair, and the floor beneath your feet. You resist gravity to stay seated. You see letters on the screen. You filter out unimportant sensory input so you can make sense of what you are reading. If you occasionally lose focus because your shirt label is itchy, you may have a mild sensory issue. If you keep sliding off your chair, look away when you hear any noise, feel like your shirt is hurting you, or the words you are reading pulsate, you may have sensory processing disorder, also known as sensory integration dysfunction. Sensory issues affect all kinds of people—from those with developmental delays, attention and learning problems, autistic spectrum disorders and other diagnoses to those without any other issues.

Now more than ever, Raising A Sensory Smart Child is the definitive handbook for overcoming these challenges, providing you with invaluable insights, tips, real-life strategies, and resources—whether you are helping an infant, young child, teenager, adult child, or even yourself.

Praise for Raising a Sensory Smart Child

“A comprehensive, informative, and practical book for parents. The authors explain sensory integration and sensory integration dysfunction in a way that parents can understand. They provide very practical, hands-on examples for helping the child at home, in school, and in other settings. This is a must read for all parents who have children with sensory integration issues.”

—Larry B. Silver, M.D., author of The Misunderstood Child

“At last, here are the insights and answers parents have been searching for.”

—Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures

“Because most of us never experience anything quite like it, sensory integration disorder can be difficult to conceive, understand, or recognize. Lindsey Biel and Nancy Peske illuminate the mysteries of sensory integration disorder in clear, practical terms. Both parents and teachers will find a wealth of insight and advice on helping our wonderful—though sometimes challenging—kids.”

—Patty Romanowski Bashe, M.S.Ed., Executive Director, The David Center
Co-author of The O.A.S.I.S. Guide to Asperger Syndrome

Biel and Peske combine a professional and personal approach in creating a knowledgeable and supportive guide for parents. In a very readable manner they explain complex information and at the same time provide practical strategies that families can really use.

—Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, author of Raising Your Spirited Child

“Raising a Sensory Smart Child is a wonderful resource for parents, teachers, counselors, and pediatricians who’d like to know more about sensory integration dysfunction.”

—Adoptive Families magazine

“This is the best book out there for explaining and treating symptoms of sensory processing / modulation disorders. Also, since it was published recently, it contains the most up-to-date information.”

—Behavioral Clarity Consulting