Reviews
The Out-Of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder by Carol Kranowitz
riseclare's review
put this down a year ago!
So far this is good information, but also kind of depressing. Saying the SPD child likely is bad at sports, has no friends, clumsy, etc... I do not see this as the (current and ) future cut out for my little guy! Going to take this book with a grain of salt.
So far this is good information, but also kind of depressing. Saying the SPD child likely is bad at sports, has no friends, clumsy, etc... I do not see this as the (current and ) future cut out for my little guy! Going to take this book with a grain of salt.
lyfordkasey's review
4.0
Very informational, I never knew about this until my professor suggested our class to read this.
kerisreads's review
4.0
A very helpful book for parents and teachers of kiddos who just seem... well, out-of-sync with other children or activities that one would expect children to enjoy (getting dressed, swinging, sensory play, eating, etc.)
My biggest criticism is that it does read like a textbook - in that, it's clearly written in terms of IDEAL solutions, not necessarily PRACTICAL solutions... especially if you are a parent to more than one kiddo or a classroom teacher with a full caseload of other students as well. Their list of things to do / implement / accommodate for definitely had some good ideas, but good grief, it looked daunting listed out back to back like that. Plus, some of their "helpful tips" just seemed like basic empathy and good parenting in general, not specific to SPD.
But the explanation of sensory processing disorders themselves were very helpful - especially the charts and subtype descriptions in the middle.
WARNING: Believers, this is written from a purely humanistic point of view - basically, from the perspective that all children are basically good and that their behavioral struggles are purely physical. There are also several references to evolution as an explanation for why brains and instincts work the way they do.
All that said, it's still been incredibly helpful starting point in understanding the "sliding scale" of sensory integration issues, the value of occupational therapy, and why some children seem to have trouble with some of the most basic tasks of childhood in a way that doesn't resolve as they age.
Parents: Don't get overwhelmed. It's a textbook just to get your feet wet.
My biggest criticism is that it does read like a textbook - in that, it's clearly written in terms of IDEAL solutions, not necessarily PRACTICAL solutions... especially if you are a parent to more than one kiddo or a classroom teacher with a full caseload of other students as well. Their list of things to do / implement / accommodate for definitely had some good ideas, but good grief, it looked daunting listed out back to back like that. Plus, some of their "helpful tips" just seemed like basic empathy and good parenting in general, not specific to SPD.
But the explanation of sensory processing disorders themselves were very helpful - especially the charts and subtype descriptions in the middle.
WARNING: Believers, this is written from a purely humanistic point of view - basically, from the perspective that all children are basically good and that their behavioral struggles are purely physical. There are also several references to evolution as an explanation for why brains and instincts work the way they do.
All that said, it's still been incredibly helpful starting point in understanding the "sliding scale" of sensory integration issues, the value of occupational therapy, and why some children seem to have trouble with some of the most basic tasks of childhood in a way that doesn't resolve as they age.
Parents: Don't get overwhelmed. It's a textbook just to get your feet wet.
bookspinesandwine's review
5.0
This book will help me immensely not only with my own child but with the students I work with. If you want to understand Sensory Processing Disorder, this is the book you need to start with!
robertwhelan's review
2.0
Interesting enough for what it is but irrelevant for dealing with any serious SPD associated with severe autism.
10_4tina's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Helpful. Relatable. Reasonable.
I read this book and saw me. The reflection was helpful because it came with keys that helped me feel understood and resourced even now. I also saw a dozen other friends or kids I've babysat in these chapters and having the language and tools/counterweights to the challenges felt freeing and not at all like boxing me in. I appreciated Kranowitz' distinction between differences and disorders. All differences can be helped with the tools and language to address them, but not all differences amass disorders. This is a helpful way to think and a counter to the current trends of neurodivergence movements. At some point she described the brain as having different dials and I can vividly picture the sound mixer of my brain with some dials turned up too high and others turned down too low in ways that make me uncomfortable and/or unaware in different areas. This book was super helpful.
Underlined Insights:
Ch 2:
Sensory Avoider (over-responsivity)
Sensory Straggler (under-responsivity)
Sensory Craver (sensory craving)
Sensory Jumbler (discrimination differences)
Sensory Slumper (postural differences)
Sensory Fumbler (poor coordination)
Differences are not always disorders - differences can be part of a cluster of symptoms that can mount up to meeting the list of criteria for a more involved disorder. Compare to the flu - if you have a sore throat alone, that is not the flu. If you have a sore throat with chills, fever, achy muscles, or other symptoms they add up to the diagnostic criteria for the flu.
Ch 3:
A distinctive nose rub (allergic salute) from IS THIS YOUR CHILD (book)
Ch 5:
Anecdote about playing head-shoulders-knees-and-toes, difficulty putting on a coat, and dislike of the feeling of gloves on hands
Ch 10:
Angel at school pulled together and demon at home where he falls apart at the end of every day (when behavior differs dramatically in different situations - child is sending out signals of distress)
www.out-of-sync-child.com - survey/assessment
Child's motivation to spin on a swing, touch certain textures, or be gently pressed between two gym mats tells a therapist what the child's nervous system seeks
Ch 12:
When the out-of-sync child begins to feel more in-control, his schoolwork and social skills begin to improve - when he is less distracted, he distracts other students less
howdahug - slatted, wooden, sensory chairs - I definitely want one of these
I read this book and saw me. The reflection was helpful because it came with keys that helped me feel understood and resourced even now. I also saw a dozen other friends or kids I've babysat in these chapters and having the language and tools/counterweights to the challenges felt freeing and not at all like boxing me in. I appreciated Kranowitz' distinction between differences and disorders. All differences can be helped with the tools and language to address them, but not all differences amass disorders. This is a helpful way to think and a counter to the current trends of neurodivergence movements. At some point she described the brain as having different dials and I can vividly picture the sound mixer of my brain with some dials turned up too high and others turned down too low in ways that make me uncomfortable and/or unaware in different areas. This book was super helpful.
Underlined Insights:
Ch 2:
Sensory Avoider (over-responsivity)
Sensory Straggler (under-responsivity)
Sensory Craver (sensory craving)
Sensory Jumbler (discrimination differences)
Sensory Slumper (postural differences)
Sensory Fumbler (poor coordination)
Differences are not always disorders - differences can be part of a cluster of symptoms that can mount up to meeting the list of criteria for a more involved disorder. Compare to the flu - if you have a sore throat alone, that is not the flu. If you have a sore throat with chills, fever, achy muscles, or other symptoms they add up to the diagnostic criteria for the flu.
Ch 3:
A distinctive nose rub (allergic salute) from IS THIS YOUR CHILD (book)
Ch 5:
Anecdote about playing head-shoulders-knees-and-toes, difficulty putting on a coat, and dislike of the feeling of gloves on hands
Ch 10:
Angel at school pulled together and demon at home where he falls apart at the end of every day (when behavior differs dramatically in different situations - child is sending out signals of distress)
www.out-of-sync-child.com - survey/assessment
Child's motivation to spin on a swing, touch certain textures, or be gently pressed between two gym mats tells a therapist what the child's nervous system seeks
Ch 12:
When the out-of-sync child begins to feel more in-control, his schoolwork and social skills begin to improve - when he is less distracted, he distracts other students less
howdahug - slatted, wooden, sensory chairs - I definitely want one of these
hooksbookswanderlust's review
5.0
This book was recommended to me by my son's OT, and it is a great first resource for understanding SPD and how it effects children who have it. My son has a mild case, diagnosed a year ago, though I didn't realize until recently just how far-reaching problems caused by SPD could be. Reading this was a major light bulb moment for me. It explains it all in a way that you can talk clinically with a professional and understand what they have to say in return.