We are Lindsey Biel, OTR/L, a pediatric occupational therapist and Nancy Peske, the parent of a child with sensory integration dysfunction. We understand what you are going through and the kinds of questions you need answered, so we wrote the first practical, hands-on guide for parents, teachers, and others who love and work with children who have sensory problems and SI dysfunction: Raising a Sensory Smart Child.

Sensory integration refers to how a person registers, processes, and uses all the various sensations coming from within the body and the environment. We usually think of the senses as separate channels of information, but they actually work together to give us a reliable picture of the world and our place in it. For instance, right now your senses are working together to read this. You hear background sounds and feel clothing, shoes, and the chair beneath you. You easily keep yourself in a seated position. You see letters on the computer screen. All your senses are integrated. Without conscious effort, you are filtering out sensations that are not important so you can get meaning out of what you are reading.

If you occasionally lose focus on what you're doing because the clothing label in your shirt annoys you, you have a mild sensory issue. If you stop reading because you keep sliding off your chair, look up from the computer every time you hear a car outside, feel like your shirt is strangling you, and get dizzy because the letters seem to pulsate, you're experiencing sensory processing disorder--also known as sensory integration dysfunction (SID).

While we all have sensory preferences and tolerances, SI dysfunction can significantly interfere with play, learning, and social interactions. It's extremely useful to understand how this works and what can be done to help if you or a child you care about has sensory integration issues.

Praise for Raising a Sensory Smart Child

"Raising a Sensory Smart Child is a comprehensive, informative, and practical book for parents. The authors explain sensory integration and sensory integration dysfunction in a way that parents can understand. They then provide very practical, hands-on examples for helping the child at home, in school, and in other settings. This is a must read for all parents who have children with sensory integration issues."

—Larry B. Silver, M.D., author of The Misunderstood Child

"At last, here are the insights and answers parents have been searching for."

—Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures

"Because most of us never experience anything quite like it, sensory integration disorder can be difficult to conceive, understand, or recognize. Lindsey Biel and Nancy Peske illuminate the mysteries of sensory integration disorder in clear, practical terms. Both parents and teachers will find a wealth of insight and advice on helping our wonderful—though sometimes challenging-kids."

—Patty Romanowski Bashe, M.S.Ed., Executive Director, The David Center
Co-author of The O.A.S.I.S. Guide to Asperger Syndrome

Lindsey Biel and Nancy Peske combine a professional and personal approach in creating a knowledgeable and supportive guide for parents. In a very readable manner they explain complex information and at the same time provide practical strategies that families can really use.

—Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, author of Raising Your Spirited Child

"Raising a Sensory Smart Child is a wonderful resource for parents, teachers, counselors, and pediatricians who'd like to know more about sensory integration dysfunction."

—Adoptive Families magazine

"This is the best book out there for explaining and treating symptoms of sensory processing / modulation disorders. Also, since it was published recently, it contains the most up-to-date information."

—Behavioral Clarity Consulting

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