Newsletter
Book review The Sensory Team Handbook (2009) Nancy Mucklow
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This book is an excellent resource explaining sensory processing problems to older children and teenagers. Parents and teachers often ask me if there is a book on the market that is suitable to use with children and teenagers to help explain their problems, this is 'the' book to use. The handbook compares the senses to a sports team in need of a coach and then shows the reader how to become that coach. Information is given about the senses in a fun and easy to understand way. There are quizzes to identify sensory problems and then practical strategies to put in place. I would thoroughly recommend this book - it is a brilliant tool for therapists, parents and teachers.
The book costs £12.00 from Amazon and we have quick links through to Amazon UK website by 
clicking on the Amazon logo.
More information on useful books and resources can be found on the links and resources pages for parents and for teachers and professionals.
Courses for Teachers and Professionals 2010/2011
The dates for courses in the academic year 2010/2011 have now been arranged:
Recognising and Helping Children with Motor Learning Difficulties(Dyspraxia/DCD)23 November 2010
Setting Up Motor Programmes in Primary Schools 17 May 2011
Introduction to Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing Disorder 14 June 2011
The course brochure can be downloaded here or please contact us if you would like to be sent a copy.
Parent Workshops
Newfield School, Blackburn have arranged a parent workshop with Julia on Sensory Integration on Wednesday 3 November 2010 from 9.30 am to 12.00 noon. This is open to parents who have children with autistic spectrum disorder. Please contact us for more details if you would like a place.
Current Research on Sensory Processing Disorder
Frequently I am asked by parents and health professionals where they can find information on current research on sensory processing disorder.
The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation website is packed with current information. At the moment the foundation is campaigning to sensory processing disorder included in the next Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5). Read more about the campaign at www.spdfoundation.net
Courses for Teachers and Professionals 2010
The next course Introduction to Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing Disorder is being held on 18 May 2010 in Clitheroe, Lancashire, more details can be found here.
Problem Behaviours
My son’s hair is growing out of control but he gets very upset when anyone tries to cut it. Why is this so difficult for him and is there anything I can do which might make this easier for him?
Children who are over responsive to tactile sensory input often have problems with hair cutting and other self-care activities such as tooth brushing, hair washing and nail cutting. These children register tactile sensations too intensely which can lead to them becoming anxious, overwhelmed and over stimulated by the sensations. Children who are over responsive to auditory (noise) sensory input also may have problems with hair cutting due to the sound of the clippers or scissors.
Before hair cutting, sensory activities that are calming to the central nervous system can be used to help prepare the child by inhibiting the over responsive reaction. For each child these activities will vary, but activities that involve deep touch pressure, proprioception (heavy muscle work) or movement all can have a calming effect on the nervous system. Try activities that focus on the whole body rather than just the head. Sensory strategies can also be used during the hair cutting such as deep touch pressure or using a weighted shoulder or lap belt.
It is important to do lots of preparatory work before attempting to cut the child’s hair and a multi faceted approach is normally required. For example: using a social story; allowing the child to play with various hair products; getting the child used to the noise of scissors, clippers, hair dryer; dressing up with hats and wigs; visits to a hair salon.
Cut your child’s hair when they are ready, do not force them as this will only increase anxieties, look on this as a longer term project rather than expecting instant results.
Parent Workshops
Newfield School, Blackburn have arranged a parent workshop with Julia on Sensory Integration on Wednesday 3 June 2009 from 5.00 - 7.30 pm. This is open to parents who have children with autistic spectrum disorder. Please contact us for more details if you would like a place.
Problem Behaviours
"My autistic son has a very restricted diet and is reluctant to try new foods. Why is he so fussy and how can I help him try new things?"
Many children with autism have problems processing sensory information and this may be contributing to your son’s restricted diet. Fussy eaters with sensory based feeding problems restrict their diet as a result of their difficulties with processing sensory information. For example, a child who is over responsive to touch may not like the feel of a spoon in their mouth or the texture of food. Children may be over responsive to the smell of food or the taste of food or they may be under responsive in certain sensory systems. These sensory problems can then lead to the child having a very restricted diet.
The first step in forming strategies is to discover if this is a sensory based feeding problem and then to identify the sensory systems involved. Sensory strategies can then be put in place to address the sensory issues. For example, I have been working recently with a young boy who was over responsive to tactile input and his diet was restricted to three dry foods (toast, crisps, crackers). By addressing the sensory problem, through therapy and a sensory diet at home, he is now extending the types of food he will eat.
Courses for Teachers and Professionals 2009
The next course Setting Up Motor Programmes in Primary Schools is being held on 10 March 2009 in Clitheroe, Lancashire, more details can be found here.
Problem Behaviours
Why does my child constantly spin things and what can I do to help him?
There are several reasons why your son may do this but I will answer from a sensory perspective. Children who spin objects are often seeking extra sensory input from their vestibular (movement and balance) system and/or visual system. These systems are closely linked, which is why we feel motion sickness when there is a mismatch between vestibular and visual information.
It is thought that children who seek sensory input are under responsive to that sensory input and that leads them to actively seek out the sensory input. This is referred to as 'sensory seeking'. In order to work out the sensory systems that are involved I would need to look for clusters of behaviours which would indicate a difficulty processing information in that system.
In terms of changing behaviour, one strategy would be to identify alternative sensory activities that meet the same sensory need for your son. For example, if your son was seeking vestibular (movement and balance) input, you might provide him with a trampoline to bounce on which would provide vestibular input in an acceptable way.
Many children with autistic spectrum disorder have sensory processing problems and I would recommend an assessment of your son's sensory needs by a qualified therapist trained in sensory integration therapy to identify the cause of the behaviour and provide you with strategies.
Book review 'The Out-of-Sync Child' by Carol Stock Kranowitz
This book is probably one of the best books available on sensory processing problems.
It offers understanding and insight into Sensory Processing Disorders, the effect that they can have on our everyday lives and how some of those difficulties can be addressed. It offers practical advice on how to identify Sensory Processing Disorders and plenty of ideas which can be used at school or home. I would highly recommend this book to parents, teachers and therapists.
The book costs £12.49 from Amazon and we now have quick links through to Amazon UK website by clicking on the Amazon logo.
More information on useful books and resources can be found on the links and resources pages for parents and for teachers and professionals.
Courses for Teachers and Professionals 2008/2009
The dates for courses in the academic year 2008/2009 have now been arranged:
Recognising and Helping Children with Motor Learning Difficulties(Dyspraxia/DCD)18 November 2008
Setting Up Motor Programmes in Primary Schools 10 March 2009
Introduction to Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing Disorder 19 May 2009
The course brochure can be downloaded here or please contact us if you would like to be sent a copy.
Summer Activities
Now that the weather has got warmer and the nights are lighter, there are plenty of opportunities to increase the amount of physical and outdoor activities your child is involved in.
Here are a few ideas:
Bicycling
Many children have difficulty riding a two-wheeler bike. Try using a scooter instead which will help the child develop balance skills. Start your child off cycling in a large open grassed space. If you are trying to remove stabilisers from a bike, a technique that often works well is to remove the pedals from the bike and allow the child to push along the ground with their feet and then lift feet off the ground. The child is much more in control as they can easily put their feet back on the ground when they are unsteady.
Make bicycling a family activity by getting a tandem bike attachment. This enables the child to develop cycling skills in safety and is great at increasing confidence and giving a sense of achievement. Find local cycle paths or quiet lanes.
Rambling
Walking outside gives an opportunity to increase endurance levels without relying on good coordination skills. Try introducing games to make the walk more fun. Children often enjoy collecting games, eg have a list of items to find and collect on the walk or a list of items to photograph.
Climbing
Go to your local indoor climbing wall and enrol your child on a climbing course. This is an excellent activity for sensory seeking children.
Trampolining
A trampoline in the garden will provide your child with plenty of opportunity to get regular vestibular (movement) and proprioceptive (body awareness) input. This will help develop postural control and balance. Encourage the child to use regularly.
Horse Riding
Horse riding helps the child develop core stability, postural control and balance, body awareness. Find a riding school that understands the needs of your child.
Book review 'Just Take A Bite' by Lori Ernsperger and Tania Stegen-Hanson
This book, written by a behavioural consultant and a paediatric occupational therapist, is an invaluable tool for parents and professionals working with children with food aversions and eating challenges. The first half of the book explains the motor, sensory, developmental and behavioural factors contributing to resistant eaters. The second half provides a comprehensive treatment plan in the form of clear practical strategies and simple activities which can be used at home or within therapy. I have recommended this book recently to several families who have children with very limited diets (under ten different food items), using the strategies within the book they have successfully been able to introduce new foods into their child's repertoire.
The book costs £15.95 from Amazon and we now have quick links through to Amazon UK website by clicking on the Amazon logo.
More information on useful books and resources can be found on the links and resources pages for parents and for teachers and professionals.
Courses for Teachers and Professionals 2008/2009
The dates for courses in the academic year 2008/2009 have now been arranged:
Recognising and Helping Children with Motor Learning Difficulties(Dyspraxia/DCD)18 November 2008
Setting Up Motor Programmes in Primary Schools 10 March 2009
Introduction to Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing Disorder 19 May 2009
The course brochure can be downloaded here or please contact us if you would like to be sent a copy.
Parent Workshops
Hillside Specialist School, Longridge, Preston have arranged a parent workshop with Julia on Sensory Integration on Thursday 19 June 2008 from 6.30 - 8.30 pm. This is open to parents who have children with autistic spectrum disorder. The cost is £25 for each parent place. Please contact us for more details or e-mail Carol Griffin at Hillside School.
Book review 'Sensory Balance' by Erna Blanche
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This book is a quick reference guide for parents and professionals (only 32 pages). It provides five sensory portraits of the different types of sensory processing disorders. For each sensory portrait a short introductory paragraph is given describing the child and then the rest of the information is provided concisely, using bullet points under various headings, for example 'Am I Henry?, How did I act when I was a baby?, How do I do in school?, How can you help me? The best school situation for me is:'
The information is readily accessible and clearly presented and would be ideal to give to those working with a child in order to simply explain their difficulties ie classteachers, carers, grandparents. It is also a useful and simple reference guide for health professionals.
The book costs £7.95 from Amazon and we now have quick links through to Amazon UK website by clicking on the Amazon logo.
More information on useful books and resources can be found on the links and resources pages for parents and for teachers and professionals.
Courses for Teachers and Professionals 2008
The next course 'Introduction to Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing Disorder' is being held on Tuesday 20 May 2008 in Clitheroe, Lancashire details can be found here .
Motor Programme Resources
This month we have completed the series of motor programmes aimed at children in primary schools. These fun and flexible resources are available to anyone who has attended the course Setting up motor programmes in primary schools and can be ordered here. They have been successfully piloted in a number of schools and in the practice clinic. Feedback from both children and parents has been very positive.
Courses for Teachers and Professionals 2008
This month we have been busy producing a brochure for the courses we are running in the Spring and Summer term 2008. It will be sent to all the local primary schools in January. If you would like a copy of the brochure please contact us or alternatively you can download it here.
Courses for Teachers and Professionals
The dates for the next series of courses have now been arranged and are as follows:
29 January 2008
Recognising and helping children with motor coordination problems (dyspraxia)
11 March 2008
Setting up motor programmes in primary schools
20 May 2008
Introduction to sensory integration and sensory processing disorder
Look here for more information about the above courses. We now have an online application form to make the process easier.
Christmas Present Ideas
There are plenty of toys/games available on the high street to encourage sensory processing abilities and motor coordination skills. Here are a few ideas:
Hawkin's Bazaar
What's in Ned's Head £19.99
Huge soft pop-up head that is filled with an assortment of objects. Children have to feel inside head and find an object. Excellent for tactile discrimination skills and great fun too. You can add your own items as well, such as different textured materials.
Space Hopper £4.99
Great fun and gives plenty of movement (vestibular) and proprioceptive (body awareness) input
Early Learning Centre
Light and Sound Funky Footprints £20
Good for improving jumping and hopping skills
Pop-up Combo £35
Ideal for putting up inside in winter months when children can't get outside as much
Junior Trampoline £30
Provides plenty of vestibular and proprioceptive input and again can be used indoors
Who Knows Whose Nose Game £10
Helps improve tactile discrimination and visual perceptual skills
Manic Martians and Jitterbugs £10
Two fun games that both help tactile and proprioceptive skills and motor planning
Book review 'The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun' by Carol Stock Kranowitz
This book features more than one hundred fun, sensory motor activities that help develop sensory processing skills and motor coordination skills. It is full of simple ideas that don't need expensive pieces of equipment. Makes a great companion book to 'The Out-of-Sync Child'. Ideal for parents, teachers and therapists. It is one of those 'must-have' books.
Equipment ideas from IKEA
Special needs equipment tends to be very expensive. At the moment there are plenty of toys/equipment in Children's IKEA that are great for developing sensory processing skills and motor coordination skills at a fraction of the cost of special needs equipment.
RUSIG rocker provides movement (vestibular) input
PS SVINGA hanging seat provides movement (vestibular) input
SNURRIG spinner provides movement (vestibular) input
PS LOMSK swivel armchair with hood provides movement (vestibular) input and also hide away/quiet space
KORALL FISK rugs (shaped like a fish) are great to use as targets for beanbags or soft toys
SOT soft toys (small sea animals) are great for throwing, sorting, hiding under blanket and crawling to find.
If you have any comments please email us, we'd love to have your feedback
