Synopses & Reviews
Starting Sensory Integration Therapy offers 100+ activities and games for children with Sensory Processing Disorders (SPDs).
Parent of a son with SPD, author Bonnie Arnwine chose activities that require minimal time, money, and clean-up. Most “ingredients” are already on hand: empty yogurt cups, string, soap, Kool-aid, flour, paper plates, etc. If the kids tire of an activity, an “Extend It!” section shows how to use the same ingredients in new and different ways. Kids have fun while activities exercise the seven sensory “muscles”: the visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, oral, vestibular, and proprioceptive senses. Activities can be enjoyed with others, so children also benefit from interacting socially with their peers, parents, and teachers.
Review
“Fun, functional, and easy to set up and clean up, these activities will help all kids (and moms and dads, too) get in sync. Thank you, Bonnie. We need this book!” --Carol Kranowitz, MA, author of The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun and The Goodenoughs Get in Sync
“What a fun book! It is filled with numerous sensory activities that will facilitate learning and skill development. Ms. Arnwine “extends” many of the activities that provide the opportunity for a variety of creative play. This book is a welcome addition and will be utilized by parents, teachers, and therapists.” --Nancy Kashman, LOTR, co-author of The Sensory Connection
“Finally, a sensory integration recipe book abundant with fun and easy activities to help my son adapt to his environment. We get to play with family and friends, which makes him feel part of the group and encourages social development!” --Nancy Heller, Parent
“I am so excited to try out many of the ideas . . . my children’s sensory needs will be met in a simple, fun way without them even knowing it!” --Michele Brewster, Parent
“I have just finished reading Starting Sensory Integration Therapy and I loved it. It was very easy to read, and the personal stories helped me to connect with the therapies and activities. I love how the activities use regular househould items that I already have around the house. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!” --Debra Ponder, Parent
Synopsis
Winner of a 2006 iParenting Media Award! This book is a great resource for busy parents whose children are starting therapy. Bonnie Arnwine, the parent of a child with sensory processing disorder (also called dysfunction in sensory integration) has packed this book with fun activities, timesaving tips, and quick cleanup techniques. This is a must-have for every family starting sensory-based therapy. You and your child will have days of fun with the activities in Starting Sensory Integration Therapy. Spend quality time on school vacations, weekends, or just a few minutes at the end of a busy day.
About the Author
Bonnie Arnwine is the mother of an exceptional child, and sensory integration has been an integral part of her son's successful transition from special education to full inclusion in regular classes. Formerly a preschool teacher, she is now Director of Childrens' Ministries for Fair Oaks Church of Concord, CA. She earned her Bachelors degree in English from the University of California at Davis and has undertaken graduate work in education. She currently lives in Bencia, California with her husband, son, and daughter.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments Introduction The Terms We Use to Describe Sensory Processing Disorder Chapter 1: Our Senses Sensory Modulation Disorder Sensory Discrimination Disorder Sensory-based Motor Disorder Getting Your Child Evaluated What Does an Evaluation Look Like? Getting Therapy for Your Child Services through an Insurance Company Services Provided through the Local School District: The IEP Process Getting Services Privately Starting Therapy What Is a Sensory Diet? Follow Your Child's Lead! Watch Out for Overstimulation! Life Is a Series of Small Steps Chapter 2: Tactile Activitiess "NO COOK" COOKING OTHER FOOD-RELATED ACTIVITIES FUN FEELY STUFF Chapter 3: Gross-Motor Activities VESTIBULAR AND PROPRIOCEPTIVE GAMES FUN WITH BOXES MOVEMENT GAMES MOVEMENT SONGS MOVING TO MUSIC BALLOON FUN NEWSPAPER FUN "SHAKE SOMETHING"COOKING ROPE FUN OTHER GROSS-MOTOR ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES FOR BILATERAL MOTOR COORDINATION ACTIVITIES FOR CROSSING THE MIDLINE Chapter 4: Visual Activities HELPFUL VISUAL GAMES, BOOKS, AND TOYS Chapter 5: Auditory Activities MUSICAL ACTIVITIES SOUND GAMES Chapter 6: Activities with Smell Chapter 7: Oral-Motor Activities BUBBLE FUN OTHER ORAL-MOTOR ACTIVITIES HELPFUL TOYS FOR ORAL-MOTOR ACTIVITIES Chapter 8: Fine-Motor Activities HELPFUL FINE-MOTOR GAMES AND TOYS About the Author Resources Index