(2010 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA): Gold Award)

Mary Lashno, an occupational therapist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, shares her extensive experience working with children who don't process sensory information properly. Her new book educates parents about why some children's sensory systems experience are over- or under-stimulated and what can be done to treat the condition so children can learn and be a part of daily activities. Mixed Signals also helps parents recognize when behavior is a characteristic of another condition, such as autism or Down syndrome, and when it's due to poor sensory processing.

With the help of case studies, the author provides many examples of how children with poor sensory processing react differently to sensory input--staring into lights, avoiding face-washing or brushing teeth, seeming overly clumsy--than children with normal sensory systems. Parents learn how to interpret behaviors and detect when a child may be over-stimulated or under-stimulated. A discussion of strategies and interventions explains how therapists and families can work with children to help develop an individualized sensory diet to calm or awaken sensory receptors so kids can function better and begin to tolerate a wider range of sensory information.

Topics covered include:
Terminology of sensory processing
Normal vs. abnormal sensory processing
Evaluating your child's sensory system
Assessment tools
Sensory Integration Therapy--what it is and how it works
Treatment approaches
Establishing and managing your child's sensory diet

This guide is useful to families of children with a variety of diagnoses, deficits, and skills. You'll be better able to understand your child's sometimes perplexing behavior as well as be a part of the therapeutic process in conjunction with trained professionals. Buy a copy to share with a teacher, coach, or therapist so everyone can get involved!