Understanding Sensory Dysfunction: Learning, Development and Sensory Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, Learning Disabilities and Bipolar Disorder

177 Pages·2005·0.55 MB·English

by  Liz McKendry Anderson

Understanding Sensory Dysfunction
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Understanding Sensory Dysfunction
Learning, Development and Sensory Dysfunction
in Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, Learning
Disabilities and Bipolar Disorder
Polly Godwin Emmons and
Liz McKendry Anderson
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
London and Philadelphia
Diagnostic criteria for pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, autistic disorder and
Asperger’s disorder on pages 69–72 reprinted with permission from theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders,Fourth Edition, Copyright © 2000. American Psychiatric Association.
First published in 2005
by Jessica Kingsley Publishers
116 Pentonville Road
London N1 9JB, UK
and
400 Market Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
www.jkp.com
Copyright © Polly Godwin Emmons and Liz McKendry Anderson 2005
Second impression 2005
Third impression 2006
The right ofPolly Godwin Emmons and Liz McKendry Anderson to be identified as authors ofthis work has
been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part ofthis publication may be reproduced in any material form (including
photocopying or storing it in any medium by electronic means and whether or not transiently or incidentally
to some other use ofthis publication) without the written permission ofthe copyright owner except in
accordance with the provisions ofthe Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 or under the terms ofa
licence issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London, England W1T
4LP. Applications for the copyright owner’s written permission to reproduce any part ofthis publication
should be addressed to the publisher.
Warning: The doing ofan unauthorised act in relation to a copyright work may result in both a civil claim for
damages and criminal prosecution.
Library ofCongress Cataloging in Publication Data
Emmons, Polly Godwin, 1960-
Understandingsensorydysfunction:learning,developmentandsensorydysfunctioninautismspectrum
disorders, ADHD, learning disabilities and bipolar disorder / Polly Godwin Emmons and Liz McKendry
Anderson.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-1-84310-806-1 (pbk.)
ISBN-10: 1-84310-806-2 (pbk.)
1.Sensoryintegrationdysfunctioninchildren.2.Developmentallydisabledchildren.3.Learningdisabled
children.4. Autisminchildren.5. Attention-deficithyperactivitydisorder.6. Manic-depressive illnessin
children. I. Anderson, Liz McKendry, 1961- II. Title.
RJ496.S44E465 2005
618.92'8588--dc22
2005005923
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN-13: 978 1 84310 806 1
ISBN-10: 1 84310 806 2
ISBN pdfeBook: 1 84642 150 0
Printed and Bound in Great Britain by
Athenaeum Press, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
To Laura, a daughter to treasure and a wonderful sister.
To Dylan, a son to cherish and a devoted brother.
Polly
To Richard, for his continued support of all of my endeavors.
To Lindy, Ellie, Julia, and Carter, who bring me my greatest joys.
Liz
Acknowledgements
We thank our families and friends who have been listeners and
supportersthroughoutthisproject.AspecialthankyoutoEileen,who
caredenoughaboutourchildren,andourfamilies,tothrowusalifeline
whenwemostneededit;andwhoencouragesustocontinuetoseethe
possibilities.
Contents
Introduction 9
What we would like the reader to take away from this book 11
The ultimate goal 12
1. What is Sensory Integration? 14
A briefhistory ofsensory integration 14
Sensory processing 16
The sensory systems 19
The developmental timeline 20
Social and emotional development and sensory integration 28
Development as viewed through a sensory lens 29
2. What is Sensory Dysfunction? 32
Signs and symptoms 32
Dysfunction in the sensory systems 34
Logan’s day 36
Sensory dysfunction through the developmental stages 41
The functional areas as viewed through a sensory lens 50
Assessment and evaluation 55
Programs and services 64
3. Concomitant Diagnoses 67
What is an autism spectrum disorder? 69
What are learning disabilities? 72
What is ADHD? 73
What is bipolar disorder? 74
To medicate or not to medicate…this is the question 75
4. Sensory Dysfunction at School 76
Everyone has a job to do 76
What special education is, and is not 77
The “players” on a child’s team 78
Analyzing possible sensory dysfunction and offering solutions 80
The teacher as detective 86
Home/school partnerships 99
Adapting to the child 101
5. At Home and at School: Looking at Strategies 116
Management techniques 116
Considering and modifying the environment 122
Self-care strategies 127
6. More About Asperger’s Syndrome 130
Diagnosing Asperger’s from the DSM-IV: Selecting from the menu 131
Social and communication deficits: Pragmatics made easy 138
Colin’s day 147
7. Ellie and Dylan: Ten Years Later 151
Introduction 151
Ellie’s story (part one) 151
Ellie’s story (part two) 154
Dylan’s story (part one) 156
Dylan’s story (part two) 159
In Conclusion 164
APPENDIX 1: SENSORY INTEGRATION ACTIVITIES 165
APPENDIX 2: TREATMENT OPTIONS 169
APPENDIX 3: RESOURCES 171
INDEX 172