Sensory Bible

As many of you know Yang has what is called Sensory Processing Disorder, or SPD for short. If you are not familiar with SPD, or would like to learn more you can read my post, Living Sensory, from December 2012.

One of our biggest sensory tools is what Yang and I call our Sensory Bible. A book written by Angie Voss OTR/L, Understanding Your Sensory Signals. When Yang first received the sensory dx I had a roller coaster of emotions. For one I had never heard of SPD so I knew I had a lot of research to do. I was happy to have answers but scared at what this may mean for my daughters future. I quickly came across a group on facebook, Sensory Parents. I asked why Yang would be pulling her eyelashes out to the point that she didn't have any. Why she would pull her hair out of the ponytail and actually pull her hair out. Some great parents answered my question and also advised I buy two Angie's books, Understanding Your Sensory Signals and Your Essential Guide to Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder. At the time even tough Angie's books are VERY reasonably priced I could not afford to purchase them. One of the parents in the group contacted Angie and purchased the books for me! To this day I do not know who it was but I love this person dearly! They provided me with some very essential sensory tools that have helped Yang and I drastically. I received the paperback copy of Sensory Signals and then later went and bought the ebook version so I would always have a copy with Yang or I. Earlier this month while I was in Florida visiting my Dad I was able to pay it forward. Even though my Dad and his girlfriend have been together for 15 years I had never meet her daughter. She came to visit while we where there. Her oldest son is autistic so I graciously gifted her my paperback copy of Sensory Signals. Although I have mentioned Angie's books to several people, it felt so good to be able to finally pay it forward.

Angie has now released her 2nd edition of Sensory Signals, and you can get it for free for a limited time. With over 210 new sensory signals you will definitely find tons of useful information. If you have not already, head over to her facebook page Understanding Your Sensory Signals and like her page. After you have liked her page you will be able to download the book for free. However, I do have a few favors to ask. 1) After you have read her book please head over to amazon and write a review. It will only take a few minutes and really helps Angie out. 2) Whatever you do, PLEASE do not download any of her books, or any other author's books, from illegal sites. Continue to show your support for authors by not adding books to these illegal sites either.

I was not asked nor paid in anyway for this post. I simply wrote it to bring light to SPD and Angie's wonderful books.All links leading to amazon.com are affiliate links.

Living Sensory

I belong to approximately 40 different group on facebook. A mix of homeschooling and SPD/LD groups. Recently in a non-SPD group someone asked about SPD, and now I feel it is my duty as a Sensory Momma to bring some light to SPD to my followers.

Just 6 short months ago Yang under went speech and occupational therapy evaluations. While I always thought it was odd she would not wear jeans I never realized there could be a real reason why, nor had I ever heard of SPD. As I filled out questionnaire after questionnaire I began to think there has to be something to this. When we received her results I was shocked, curious and happy (What a combo right?) Shocked because I had never heard of SPD. Curious cause I wanted to know more, well everything about it actually, and happy because we FINALLY had answers. But what did that mean?

What is SPD???

SPD stands for Sensory Processing Disorder. SPD is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with taking in, processing, and responding to sensory information about the environment and from within one's own body (visual, auditory, tactile, olfaction, gustatory, vestibular, and proprioception).

Sensory Processing Disorder can effect the way someone -

• interactions with others
• functions daily
• social and family relationships
• behavioral challenges
• regulating emotions
• self-esteem
• learning

OTR/L Angie Voss, and her books have been an absolute blessing! She has been the beacon of light in all that we have endured. Her time, dedication, compassion, understanding, and willingness to help have truly amazed me. She really does go above and beyond!

I would suggest anyone that has been blessed with a sensory kiddo in your life to start with read Your Essential Guide to Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder. I read less than 20 pages of this book before breaking down. I felt like someone had interviewed, observed and written a book about Yang, and not just another book about a disorder. If you have a sensory kiddo, or care for a sensory kiddo (baby-sit, teacher, etc) I STRONGLY suggest buying Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals. Yang actually calls it her Sensory Bible and we do not leave the house without it!

You can purchase all of Angie's books below. For Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals and The Survival Guide for Traveling with a Sensory Kiddo the second book photo listed below is the Kindle version.

 What is it like for someone with SPD?

Yang deals with many of the issues in the picture above, although she does not suffer from all. It is important to know that each sensory kiddo is different. What may bother one child may not bother another, or to the same severity. Yang does not like her hair washed or brushed, although we have come a long way with this one. She does not like bright lights, and we often keeps the windows closed and lights off/to a minimum. I think EVERY child has selective hearing! LOL! She sticks to certain foods/textures and will rarely try something new. There are no such things as tags in anything Yang wears! She gets very rough, very quick and does not realize it at all. She will actually tell you that tickling is bad for her sensory brain!! Yang will be 8 in April and is still unable to ride a bike, walk a fine line, balance beam, etc. Doing our school work takes extra long due to concentration issues most days. Yang is getting these in pink for Christmas to help with her noise issues. We actually spent an entire theater performance in the bathroom because she could not deal with the noise.
She chews on her hair and almost an object she is holding. She rarely wears socks so we buy shoes that do not require them most times.


So what are some sensory essentials?

• An indoor swing
• Something to bounce on such as a hippity hop ball, mini-trampoline, or BOSU ball
• A sensory retreat
• A large therapy ball
• Weighted blanket or compression clothing
• Variable items depending on the child's sensory needs...oral sensory tool, fidget toys, noise cancelling headphones, sunglasses or large brimmed hat.

The next time you see a child in the store, at the park or wherever and they seem to be "throwing a fit" or "misbehaving" please remember before you judge, that this child could have a hidden neurological disorder called sensory processing disorder. Their parents do NOT need your parental advice, comments or stares. A silent prayer is enough. Our lives are not always easy. We have sleepless days, meltdowns over what may seem small or trivial to most and need LOTS of patience. We welcome your questions, not judgement, comment or stares!

In the words of Angie Voss,

Keep it Real.
          Keep it Simple.
                    Keep it Sensory. 

Thanksgiving and Deviled Reading Eggs

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Normally on Thanksgiving I cook the entire meal but this year we did things different. Poppy & Yang helped Daddy prep the turkey, while my Mom is cooking all the sides and dessert at her house. This gave Yang and I some time to cuddle on the couch to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. Since our flat traveler, Oshawott, is visiting from the United Kingdome we've also been teaching him about Thanksgiving.



Hubby asked Yang & I if we would make deviled eggs. Looking back I now realize I was being setup! Monday when Owlet & I had to go to her orthodontist appointment, I made a list of things I wanted Yang to work on with her Dad while I was gone. When she was done with everything she asked if she could play Reading Eggs. He told her he did not see any reason why she couldn't. When I got the eggs out the fridge today I realized they played another version of Reading Eggs while I was gone! Hey, as long as she is learning and having fun, it's fine by me!

So what do you have to be thankful for this year? I am thankful for my 3 beautiful daughters, my loving husband, my family and my friends. I am thankful that my Mom & hubby are healthy, at least for today. I am thankful we have a roof over our heads and food to put on the table. I am thankful I have the right to educate my children in my home. I am thankful that we all of a sense of humor, even if it is a warped one sometimes. I am thankful for all the information I have learned from Angie Voss and making this year a of accomplishments for Yang. I am thankful you, my followers!

I hope everyone has a blessed day!