In the new ELG book reviews section, our specialists share their perspectives on the books available in the ELG book shop.
The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun: Activities for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorders
Reviewed by Rachael Caruso
Carol Kranowitz
Penguin Putnam Inc, 2006
The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun: Activities for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorders is a follow up to Carol Kranowitz’s first book The Out-of-Sync Child. Not only does the book continue to increase awareness about Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD) but it offers activities and suggestions to target all of the child’s senses.
As a speech language pathologist, I have heard the terms “sensory processing”, “sensory processing disorder”, “sensory integration” while working in the school system and clinic both in the states and abroad. Several of the children on my caseload in the US school system had sensory diets or received services from an OT or PT. Even though we collaborated as members of the school team, I did not have a complete grasp on what these terms meant or how the sensory diet helped develop or organize the child’s brain and body. In general, the extent of my knowledge about sensory processing disorder was to give a child a fidget or chew, which was provided by the OT, when they would become distracted during the session. Since working at the Essential Learning Group my opportunities to collaborate with our OTs and PTs have increase my desire to learn more about Sensory Processing so that I can support these “Out of Sync” children.
The book starts by giving an overview and review of key terminology. This includes what are the senses (there are more than five), what sensory processing disorder and sensory integration therapy are, descriptions of an “out-of-sync” child, and defines what a SAFE activity is. The chapters are divided into the different senses (touch, vestibular, proprioceptive, visual, auditory, taste, and smell) and sensory related skills (oral motor, motor planning, fine motor, bilateral coordination and crossing the midline). Each chapter starts with a case study (I though “I know you” on a few occasions) and includes not only a list of activities but also what characteristics to look for a child who is over responsive, under responsive, a seeker, has poor discrimination, and dyspraxia for each of the senses. The language used to describe the activities in concise and in laymen terms, with advice from parents and experts, as well as a list of Do’s and Don’ts. By providing the information this way, the author give the reader the confidence that they too can help support the development of the senses using these various activities.
While reading, I realized that I had previously used some of the activities, such as blowing paint with straws, in speech sessions to improve lip rounding, maintain a seal, and respiration. During sessions I have always incorporated a language aspect by having the children request, using picture symbols, or increasing utterance length (e.g. I want paint, I want red paint). However, after reading this book I learned that these blowing activities also enhances visual-motor skills, bilateral coordination, fine motor, self esteem, and motor planning. In addition, different variations to this activity were listed which will not only expand the child’s vocabulary but also support differentiation for children based on their strengths and weaknesses.
Some other activities, which were kid approve based off of the giggles, request for more, engagement included:
- Shaving Cream Car Wash- shaving cream road made the toy cars all dirty. Bowls of water were there to make the cars all clean. This activity targeted the tactile sense
- Magic Tissue Transfers- tearing tissue paper and then spread glue on it, press to paper, and then remove leaving the color. This activity targets the tactile sense
- Citrus Balls-variety of activities using different citrus fruits. Targets the visual sense
Again, as a speech therapist, the target of the sessions was not the activity in the book but how the child was using their express/receptive language or speech skills during the session. All of these activities provided great hands on activities, and the explanations lead to easy planning and preparation. Since these activities require movement, it supported the introduction of various vocabulary words such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Throughout the session I was able to not only introduce vocabulary but then also support the children in expressing and identifying these words on their own. In addition, social language and using language for a variety of intents, such as requesting, protesting, describing, commenting, could also be supported in the 1-1 and group setting.
Overall, The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun: Activities for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder, would be an excellent resource for any parent, teacher, special educator, counselor, or therapist. The activities in the books are great for a wide range of children and can be modified so that all children, regardless of their abilities, and the special adults in their lives can have fun together.
Rachel Caruso
Speech-Language Pathologist
Rachel graduated from the University of Alabama in 2010, and specializes in interventions concerning language learning disabilities. Prior to coming to Shanghai, she worked in the Maryland public school system in the US.
Parenting with Love and Logic (Chinese Edition)
Review by Julia Huang
Foster W. Cline / Jim Fay
Navpress Publishing, 2006.
Qunyan Press, 2007
Parenting With Love and Logic contends that parents should let compassion and consequence do the teaching. Often, this means that parents must restrain themselves from intervening directly, even as they see their children making questionable choices.
This approach can be challenging for some Chinese parents to adopt; frequently, Chinese parents do not feel comfortable allowing their children make mistakes or to have too much freedom in making choices. The value that Love & Logic offers to such parents is its emphasis on independent decision-making, and its way of enabling children to make wholesome choices for themselves without prompting or assistance.
Love and Logic Parenting does resonate closely with Chinese values in another way. A child who has learned from Love and Logic Parenting will closely resemble the responsible, conscientious adult that any parent would hope to raise. Moreover, Love and Logic’s emphasis on listening to children with patience and compassion may be useful to parents seeking to maintain the kind of affectionate parent-child relationship that is difficult to accomplish for so many.
Parenting With Love and Logic is a very valuable text for parents at the beginning of their journey together with their children. The principles it contains offer much to consider, by both offering practical advice and by offering a distinct and potentially clarifying perspective on what to value most as a parent.
<<爱与理智—-如何养育有责任心，爱心和自信心的孩子>>书评
当我看到福斯特和费的这本书的时候，我真庆幸我的双胞胎女儿还不到三岁，我从现在就开始学习并运用其中的方法还来得及不仅给他们一个快乐的童年，也让自己更享受当妈妈的角色。在这本充满了幽默和实际方法举例的里，你看不到一般教育专家所惯用的大道理和谆谆教诲。两位作者亲切而坦诚，象父母最需要的好朋友，了解我们面对孩子的顽皮所共同感受到的无力和挫败，然后拍着你的肩膀说：为何不这样？你看，以很简单的方法，给孩子择，让他们从自己的错误当中去学习！做为父母，我们的责任是把孩子培养成能够独立思考，作出负责任的决定的成熟社会成员。而达到这个目标唯一的方法就是相信孩子们能且应该为自己（按年龄）所做的事情负责。当他们选了，看到糟糕的后果的时候，父母应该放手让他们承担：照作者的话说，是趁后果的＂性价比＂很高的时候接受价格公道的教训，这样，孩子们就比较不会在日后冲动铸成弥天大错。
不可否认，爱与理智的方法对许多中国文化中的教养方式构成极大的冲突和挑战：试问你认识哪一位中国家长愿意让不好好吃饭的孩子饿一顿，然后学乖了不再要父母追着喂饭？中国的父母是世界上最心疼孩子的父母之一，尤其是在今天独生孩子占大多数的社会，家中的小皇帝小公主深深知道自己的地位远在父母之上。然而，正如许多爱的二律背反一样，越多的宠爱反而越导致坏性格的养成；而貌似不够＂有爱心＂的原则，却能给孩子很有效的帮助。何况，爱与理智的方法同时也强调了父母不在怒气中责骂式管教，而是带着理解，同情和支持与孩子一同面对犯错误的后果。还有什么比这更能拉近孩子的心的方法呢？记得起初学习爱与理智，我自己还在慢慢练习。有一天，我两岁多的小女儿沙仑拿了我花瓶中的一支脆弱的洋牡丹花捏在手里玩。要是在过去，我要么会用强迫的方法逼她把花还回来，要么就是放弃这朵花，让她玩烂了。我们二人不是她输就是我输。可是那天我灵机一动，对女儿说：你一定很喜欢这朵花对不对？她点点头。接着我又说：沙仑，我也很喜欢这花，而且想让你明天还能拿在手里，可是如果不让它回花瓶里喝水，那么估计过一会它就会断了，你就玩不成了。你是想一直拿在手里让花断了呢，还是放回花瓶，这样明天就可以再拿出来玩一会？接下来发生的事情让我深深地惊讶也自豪：我的两岁多的小孩，尽管看得出她多么犹豫纠结，但最后竟然摊开她的小手，把花还给我，有点伤心但是很肯定地说：让花喝水。为人父母，我第一次明白我的女儿完全可以用她小小的理智，做一个很不错的决定，尽管她才两岁。倘若我吼叫着用威吓的方法，也能让她勉强还给我花，但是在她小小的心里，妈妈会成为一个恐怖的大巫婆；亦或我苦苦哀求，用糖果作为利诱，小沙仑会认为：原来我可以这样折腾妈妈，还能要到糖吃。她会在花朵即将断掉的时候＂还＂给我，然后要求我履行诺言给糖。哦, 想来想去，这些都不是我想要的后果。感谢这本书所分享的智慧，我给出了合理且在她能力范围内的选项。当然，如果当时她选择一直继续玩花，我也会尊重，那么之后花枯萎断裂了，我也只会搂着她说：真可惜！好伤心！不过下次你一定会做个更好的选择。我不会再去买花来安慰她。一朵枯萎的花让她学到如何延迟满足和自律，是多么划算的代价。
<<爱与理智>>这本书中充满了类似这样的原则以及在不同的场合情况下的灵活运用。没有什么比发现孩子身上令人惊奇的学习和自我成长能力更让父母充满乐趣的了。我已经开始了这个旅程，你呢？
Julia Huang
Family Therapist
Julia has experience in working with both individuals and families dealing with various issues and disorders. She also holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Graduate School.
Autism’s False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for a Cure
Review by Jose Tapia
Paul A. Offit, M.D.
Columbia University Press, 2008
In Autism’s False Prophets, Dr. Paul Offit presents readers with insights to the conundrum of autism though an extensive scientific critique of past treatments, pseudo cures, and some individuals who have come to influence the public discussion surrounding Autism. Dr. Offit recounts the numerous ways hopes have been vested over history in various supposed causes and cures for the neurological disorder, along the way offering his readership a wealth of knowledge, clarity and reassurance on a very important, occasionally contentious set of issues.
Dr. Offit deals at length with the notion that mercury found in the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination is linked to autism, on the one hand carefully explaining to the reader how this claim has grown in popularity, and on the other hand exposing the reader to an overwhelming preponderance of evidence to refute it.
Autism’s False Prophets explores both sides of the controversy, using anecdotal records and real-life situations. The author recounts the stories of individuals who claim that the lives of their children have been adversely affected by MMR vaccinations. After granting all sides a respectful hearing, Offit posits that these claims are dubious, since people are exposed to mercury every day in the water we drink, the food we eat, and even the air we breathe. He supports his claim with a long review of the scientific literature that has accumulated since claims concerning the MMR vaccine first surfaced, which reflects a strong consensus that there is no connection between vaccination and Autism.
Dr. Offit goes on to discuss how these ideas affect media and society. For example, he explores how it is that influential television personalities such as Jenny McCarthy have focused a wave of attention on this neurological disorder. This is a critical element of the book, because it encourages the reader to wonder where our information is coming from. As intelligent readers, we ask ourselves: Is our information coming from snake-oil pushers? Lawyers? Specialists? Or is our information coming from those who dedicate their lives to improving the lives of those affected by this devastating disorder? In conclusion, the author does a good job planting the seed of curiosity and critical inquiry while remaining hopeful for the genuine breakthroughs that may come at any time.
Jose Tapia
Educational Psychologist
Jose has worked as an Educational Specialist in the United States since 2009. He also has his Teaching License in Moderate to Severe disabilities with Autism Authorization.