Best Parent Resources for Sensory Processing Disorder

With more and more children being diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder, and other disorders that have sensory issues, people are seeking out the best information available. The following are some of the best books available.

The Out-of-Sync Child

Carol Stock Kranowitz was the first person to write a book about Sensory Processing Disorder for parents and educators that used easy-to-understand language and examples. Her first book, The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder (Perigee, 2006, ISBN 978-0399531651) was originally published in 1998, with the revised edition coming out in 2006.

In it, Carol defines sensory processing disorder on all of its levels. She provides case studies of children as examples. She also gives checklists for parents to use as a guide to determining whether their child is over-responsive or under-responsive to various stimuli. While these lists are not conclusive diagnostic tools, they provide parents with valid information to share with pediatricians and diagnosticians.

Carol also provides an overview of different therapies available, as well as a few activities that can be done at home.

The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun

Carol Stock Kranowitz followed up her first book with The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun: Activities for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder (Perigee, 2006, ISBN 978-0399532719), originally published in 2003. This book expands upon the first one, providing detailed activities for children with various forms of sensory processing disorder. Illustrations as well as detailed activity plans clearly demonstrate how each activity is to be carried out. Adaptations are also provided.

This book should never be solely implemented as a sensory diet for a child without the guidance of a trained professional. However, it does provide some fun activities that can be used in the home and in schools.

Carol Stock Kranowitz taught for over 25 years. When she finally realized that some of her students responded differently than others to various stimuli, she sought the advice of an OT who had worked with Dr. Jean Ayers, a pioneer in the SPD field. Together, Kranowitz and Lynn A. Balzer-Martin, PhD, OTR developed some screening processes, and the books were written. Kranowitz also recently published Growing an In-Sync Child: Simple, Fun Activities to Help Every Child Develop, Learn, and Grow (Perigee, 2010, ISBN 978-0399535833).

Raising a Sensory Smart Child

Lindsey Biel, occupational therapist, and Nancy K. Peske, parent, teamed up to create a comprehensive guide to dealing with sensory processing disorder in children. They explain how the entire sensory integration process works, as well as providing activities that can fit into the child's sensory diet. They also help devise strategies to help the child function in his every day tasks, both at home and at school.

Again, this book should not take the place of professional advice for diagnosis nor sensory diet implementation.

Nancy Peske is a freelance writer, and mother of a child with sensory processing disorder. Lindsey Biel is an occupational therapist who specializes in pediatrics. Visit their Sensory Smarts website.

Numerous books are available on the topic of Sensory Processing Disorder. These three are considered to be among the best.