Sensory processing can be a huge piece of the autism puzzle and when you can understand why certain behaviours may be occurring, instead of reacting to the behaviour you can bring a sense of understanding, offer strategies and learn to appreciate the difference.
Carol Stock Kranowitz is the author of the best selling book, The Out-of-Sync Child – which has sold over 1 million copies. It is an absolute privilege to be chatting to her and picking her brain on all things sensory processing. In our chat she talks us through the different types of sensory processing disorders and empowers you with strategies to support your child right now.
5 Rapid-Fire questions
What is one habit parents can implement today?
Go outside. It’s so wonderful out there and when the kids are out there they will have a wonderful time. At first they might not know what to do but leave the devices in the house and just go outside.
What do people never ask you that you wish they did?
They never ask me about going outside. And I think this is generational. I think our parents were certainly outside and in my childhood I was outside all the time, barefoot and stealing grapes from the neighbours and playing hopscotch. That’s where the fun was. But parents wont ask me that. They will ask do I know a good educational video for helping a child learn to count. And I’ll say instead of getting a video, give a child 3 oranges and a bucket.
What book would you recommend all parents read?
Raising A Sensory Smart Child by Lindsey Biel and Nancy Peske.
Sensational Kids : Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (Spd) by Lucy Jane Miller
What is your top unfinished bucket list items?
I have one more book in me. I’ve written a children’s book called “The Good Enough’s Get In-Sync”.
If you could only offer one piece of advice to parents, what would it be?
Have fun. Life is serious. And when you’re raising a child with challenges, whether those challenges have been diagnosed or not, we tend to be very serious and think hard about what is the next therapist to go to or how do I manage this. Parenting like childhood, is supposed to be filled with joys and I’m positive that those joys are there for everybody if we’re open to them. Play, just be silly. Play with your food!
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So….until next fortnight, I encourage you to open your mind, respect the differences and above all believe that YOU can make a difference from homebase!
With love and hope,
