I’ve created a new category on Sensory Integration/Processing Disorders. Some folks call the disability of being able to regulate your senses sensory integration dysfunction (SID), some call it sensory processing disorder (SPD), others call it Dysfunction of Sensory Integration (DSI). Regardless, it’s often a crucial, but overlooked, component to a child’s behaviors, emotions and the mysteries of why they do certain things. Children with autism, ADHD and other childhood disorders often also have SID. Processing disorders, such as auditory processing (sometimes referred to as central auditory processing disorder or CAPD) and visual processing disorder are common in children with many of these same disabilities.

Many of the therapies that we are pursuing for LuLu at this point are to specifically address sensory integration issues and auditory and visual processing issues. These issues have been identified for quite some time, but we are just now realizing the importance and impact on her behaviors and emotions.

Today, I ran across a magazine that deals specifically with Sensory Integration. S.I. Focus is a two-year-old publication dedicated to “To inspire families and professionals to become more aware of how to improve sensory processing in our environments.”

The contributors to this magazine are those on the cutting-edge of sensory integration work in the country. The magazine’s founder, Kathleen Morris is a respected speech language pathologist who has spent time volunteering in orphanages in Romania and Russia. And works with the Sensory Integration Center of Dallas. Carol Stock Kranowitz, author of The Out-Of-Sync Child is the editor-in-chief. Article authors read like a “Who’s who” of sensory integration. It’s a magazine worth checking out.

And keep an eye on this category. As I learn more to help LuLu, you know I’ll share it here!