Sensory Processing Challenges

Many children, teens, and even adults experience sensory processing challenges including out-of-proportion reactions to certain sensory experiences that most of us find commonplace. These challenges can range from mild to severe—from difficulty tolerating fluorescent lights and discomfort with certain clothing textures, to fight-or-flight reactions to unexpected or loud noises such as sirens or automatic hand dryers, or such strong oral sensitivities that the individual can tolerate eating just a few foods. They may struggle with one or more “sensory channels," or, more often, be quickly overwhelmed by the demand to process multisensory input (especially in busy environments with competing sights, sounds, and smells), leading to poor self-regulation, acting out, and tuning out.

Sensory challenges, sometimes referred to as Sensory Processing Disorder when they interfere with daily function, are frequently seen in tandem with autism, anxiety, attention disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, and other diagnoses.

This book equips clinicians with all the information they need to know to recognize and understand sensory sensitivities; connect the dots between behavior and underlying sensory processing problems; when to refer and collaborate with sensory processing professionals; and essential “sensory smart” strategies that can help clients feel and function at their best at home, in school, and in the community.

Lindsey Biel, MA, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist with a private practice in New York City where she evaluates and treats children, teens, and young adults with sensory processing issues, autism spectrum disorders, and other challenges. She is co-author of the award-winning Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues, with a foreword by Temple Grandin. She is also the author of Sensory Processing Challenges: Effective Clinical Work with Kids & Teens, co-created the Sensory Processing Master Class DVD program, and has authored two chapters in Dr. William Steele’s book Optimizing Learning Outcomes. She teaches workshops to parents, teachers, therapists, doctors, and others across the country. Visit Lindsey at sensorysmarts.com for downloadable checklists, articles, webcasts and more.