a sensory processing book for kids

Posted on September 30th, 2008 at 8:46 am by admin

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It all began last spring.

I was at a one-day presentation by Ellen Yack on sensory integration therapy, looking for ideas and resources. Ellen gave all the attendees an exhaustive book and article list. Which I scoured. But I couldn’t find a single book for kids or young teens anywhere in the list.

So I asked her about that after the presentation. She thought for a moment, then replied that she had never seen a book on sensory integration for kids.

So the next day, I started researching and then writing the book.

Would you believe it, people raised their eyebrows?

What are your credentials for that? Who’s going to buy a book written by a parent? Aren’t there any experts to do this instead of you?

My opinion — There’s no shortage of nay-sayers out there. Parents aren’t experts? Yeah, right.

But it was hard. And it took a long time. Let’s just say the first couple of drafts were dorky. Then there was the issue of illustrations — I knew I needed them, but I had no idea how to get them.

Finally, I asked for input from specialist OT Chris Everdell. She recommended making the book a useful tool for OTs, parents, and kids, rather than a book. This changed the direction of the project.

In the winter and spring, I sent the manuscript to a few publishers. I got nibbles, a lot of run-arounds, and one publication offer, but it didn’t seem right somehow. My niece at ittybiz.com advised me that since it was a tool rather than a book, it should be published online, where it could be updated and integrated into what OTs are doing out there.

So that’s what I’m working on now. I have illustrated the book and booked a professional illustrator to polish the images. I hope to have the book up by Christmas, ho ho ho.

Stocking stuffers, anyone?