The first accessible, clearly written guide to Sensory Integration Dysfunction-and a drug-free approach that offers new hope for parents. Does your child exhibit. Oversensitivity-or undersensitivity-to touch, taste, smell, sound, or sight? Children with SI Dysfunction may avoid touching, refuse to wear certain clothing, be picky eaters, or cover their ears or eyes. Conversely, they may crave sensations-playing in mud, grabbing others, turning up the volume, preferring hot bathwater and spicy food-and seem oblivious to sensory cues. Oversensitivity-or undersensitivity-to movement sensations? They may seek out movement-swinging, twirling, jumping-or "plant themselves," avoiding active games. Unusually high or low activity level? The child may be constantly on the go-wearing out everyone around her-or move slowly and tire easily, showing little interest in the world. Problems with motor coordination? He may be awkward, seemingly careless, or accident-prone. These telltale symptoms are often the first clues to SI Dysfunction-a common, but frequently misdiagnosed, problem in which messages from the senses are not correctly processed by the central nervous system.

First identified decades ago by an occupational therapist, SI Dysfunction has only recently been widely recognized among doctors and psychologists. Now, this guide offers comprehensive, easily understood information on SI Dysfunction-and a drug-free treatment approach-for children who need help.