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Sensory Processing Disorders

Articles of interest:
from The Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, Volume 2, Number 1, 1992
Drs. Fernette & Brock Eide run the Eide Neurolearning Clinic in Edmonds, Wash specializing in helping children with learning challenges based upon understanding the child's neurological needs.  They are co-authors of the book, " The Mislabeled Child." 
by AM Smith, MSc, DJL Venter, BSc Hons, NT Naidoo, PhD, and S. Roux, D Med Sci, HED [PDF Format]  
Diana also has written the Tool Chest Handbook, Tools for Parents, Sensory Integration Tools for Teens and Sensory Tools for Pets containing additional helpful and practical handouts.  These are available through Abilitations-Integrations
Books
a new book by Jean Ayres, PhD, OTR, Philip R. Erwin, Zoe Mailloux, MA, OTR, FAOTA. "Captured in correspondence written by sensory integration pioneer A. Jean Ayres to her nephew Philip Erwin, Love, Jean provides hope, insight, and inspiration to parents of children who have been diagnosed with dysfunction of sensory integration"
"The Mislabeled Child represents a significant step towards a rethinking of our understanding of struggling children. It embodies an innovative, most helpful level of specificity, one that will enable use to customize education and parenting for children whose minds work differently than most." --Mel Levine, M.D., author of A Mind at a Time

Helpful Links
from Child and Family Research Programs at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
This site contains resources specifically targeted for the following groups: Parents, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Physicians and Teachers. Contained on the site is a scientific research section along with  conference listings
This is a web site sponsored by the University of Kansas Medical Center, where Winnie Dunn, Ph.D., OTR, FAOTA. is a professor.  This is a place to look for answers to questions about the different versions of the Sensory Profile. On the site is an extensive bibliographic information.
Home Form by L. Diane Parham, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, and Cheryl Ecker, M.A., OTR/L
Main Classroom and School Environments Forms by Heather Miller Kuhaneck, M.S., OTR/L, Diana A. Henry, M.S., OTR/L, and Tara J. Glennon, Ed.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
"With the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM), you can now get a complete picture of children's sensory functioning at home, at school, and in the community. Recognizing that sensory processing problems often manifest differently in different environments, this set of three integrated rating scales assesses sensory processing, praxis, and social participation in elementary school children. The assessment's unique multienvironment approach lets you see, for example, why a child who functions well in a highly structured classroom may have problems in a more relaxed setting.

Firmly grounded in sensory integration theory, the SPM provides norm-referenced standard scores for two higher level integrative functions--praxis and social participation--and five sensory systems--visual, auditory, tactile, proprioceptive, and vestibular functioning. Within each system, it offers descriptive clinical information on  processing vulnerabilities, including under- and overresponsiveness, sensory-seeking behavior, and perceptual problems."

SIGN is made up of a group of volunteers who are dedicated to protecting the integrity and promoting the work of Dr. A. Jean Ayres in Sensory Integration Theory and Intervention. The originators of this group include former co-workers and students of Dr. Ayres, who are now among the leading experts in the field, and occupational therapists committed to providing occupational therapy services from a sensory integrative perspective in a manner consistent with Ayres’ core principles.
"The Touch Institutes are dedicated to studying the effects of touch therapy.  The TRIs have researched the effects of massage therapy at all stages of life, from newborn to senior citizens.  In these studies the TRIs have shown that touch therapy has many positive effects."
This site contains a list of therapists certified to administer the S.I.P.T. (Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests)   WPS also provides training classes and materials for the S.I.P.T. administration. 

I have completed the USC/WPS Sensory Integration classes and received my certificate. The information is excellent and presented by very knowledgeable, nationally known instructors. It is well worth the investment of time and money. 

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