Sensory Diet for School

Many people ask me what a good sensory diet for school is, and unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer. But, in light of how many people are interested, I am going to breakdown what we do/have done for Gabriel in an effort to give you a starting point in determining the best fit for your own child.

PLEASE remember that I am offering mom to mom advice, which is in no way shape or form medical advice, and of course, should not be substituted for your own good judgment. Now that you have my disclaimer, here we go.

Day begins (Gabriel awakes low):

Eat breakfast with input. Offer breakfast items that provide input, like crunchy granola, yogurt through a straw or chewy dried fruit. We focus on high protein and low sugar. Use weighted lap pad or allow standing (or any other at-the-table option) to make sure he finishes his entire breakfast.

Get ready for school. Dressed, teeth brushed, things packed, lunch ready, etc. This is all good linear movement for Gabriel, so I have included him in doing these things since he was very young. The goal here is to get his body moving and his blood pumping.

Heavy work (10-20 minutes before school). To get him the proprioceptive input he needs, I usually have him do chores (I am big on that more since he is older).  Carrying, moving and lifting chores like reshelving books, carrying laundry upstairs, pushing the dining room chairs in, carrying the trash, are all good options. Younger kids might require more 'fun' like a quick game of Simon Say, short obstacle course with pull ups, stretching/yoga/dancing, pulling/pushing with a door frame, carrying a loaded backpack around, or jumping on the trampoline.

NOTE: We do NOT watch TV in the morning before school. Gabriel gets too low, and even with his heavy blanket for proprioception, it is just a bad idea. I highly recommend against TV watching first thing in the morning. Just a personal opinion.

Bus ride to school. This is where individualized seating arrangements are helpful. Gabriel could very well be over-stimulated by the bus ride (too much noise), so we have him sit up front by the bus driver, and allow him a designated seat (eliminating the potential argument over 'his' seat). He is also first off, is always ‘line leader’ when he gets off the bus. Alternatives would be to wear headphones or MP3 player with quiet music to help control noise during the ride.

Do YOU Have Sensory Issues?

I had the most amazing time talking to Lisa Davis at It’s Your Health Radio this last week. It was truly like talking with a good friend – we laughed, and exchanged stories about our kids and our husbands, and of course talked a lot about Sensory Processing Disorder and my book This is Gabriel Making Sense of School. But the best part? Laughing about our own sensory issues.

Yep, that’s right, turns out that we as parents of SPD kiddos seem to have our own sensory issues. Just call me Captain Obvious.

There is always time to chat about our kids, and exchange stories about their therapies or quirky and funny behavior, but how often do you actually talk to another sensory-mom about yourself? Never. I know.

So, when Lisa and I started laughing about our childhoods and how those little sensory quirks of ours are playing out in our kids, it was just a blast. And, I wanted to include all of you in the discussion too!

When I was a child I had definite sensory preferences that lean towards being defensive (Nick is exactly me, but I ate more than peanut butter). I needed to have my socks just right, no itchy tags, definitely no screen-printed shirts (that feeling was AWFUL on my skin!), I wore my jacket inside during the winter, I learned to self-soothe by rubbing my feet on my sheets and shoving them under anything heavy (my hubby’s legs are my fave now), I hated certain food textures (like peas, lima beans, olives, mushrooms) and to this day I can’t stand loud noises.

I am definitely more auditory defensive than anything else these days – it is like I have the capacity to handle a certain amount of noise, and once it is reached, I am done. No additional background noise, no crowded places full of people moving and making noise, and by rule, no electronic or battery operated toys after 4pm.

I also have to out myself here and say that I hate to brush my teeth. I just hate it. I hate the taste of toothpaste, and the feeling of the brush, but the thing I hate THE MOST is the feeling of all of that spit in my mouth that I have to hold there while I brush. Holding the spit in to brush over the sink is IMPOSSIBLE. I will gag, and throw up. Truly. As embarrassing as it is, I just can’t do it. And don’t get me started on mouth wash – same problem (spit in mouth) but worse.

Back to School Giveaway from Soft Clothing and HLW3B

Back to school is in full force around here -- it isn't hard to miss:  the stores have officially begun to remove the pool toys and BBQ tools and replace them with binders and crayons.  This is the time of year that my boys begin the 6 week long whine for a new back pack -- and pencils, and crayons, and paints, and...you get the idea.

This is also the time of year that I start to cringe with the thought of buying all of their school supplies, new backpacks (because we chew ours up each year, of course) on top of new shoes and new clothes -- who can afford that?  Especially for 3 kids?

Now add to that I have to buy new fidgets and other sensory diet tools for the classroom (yes, I know that the school will supply these, but my kid can't wait that long), and as you might imagine, back to school costs big money at my house.

So, when I heard from Jessica Ralli at Soft Clothing that she wanted to include my book in her Back To School Giveaway, I of course was flattered. But when I saw what she wanted to giveaway, I had to get in on it.

So, with that, I am crazy excited to announce the Back To School Giveaway by Soft Clothing, co-sponsored by none other than Hartley's Life With 3 Boys!  I know, aren't you thrilled?!

"Tell them what they can win, Bob..."

Soft Clothing is giving away ALL of this to one lucky person!  That's right, your child's back to school will be smooth sailing -- and you won't have to break the bank either.

Here it is:

3 pack of Soft Sensory Tees in color/size of your choice
6 pairs of Soft Seamless Socks
"This is Gabriel Making Sense of School" by Hartley Steiner
Lands End Uniform Backpack
Classpack of Crayola Colored Pencils
Tactile Fidget
Desk Buddy Sensory Bar
6-Pack of Mead Spiral Wide Ruled Notebooks
4-BG Flash Drive
12-Pack of Crayola Washable Fine-Tip Markers
Peltor Junior Noise Protector Headphones
Classic Pencil Grip Pencil Sharpener
4-Pack of Sharpie Highlighter Pens
3-Pack of Pink Paper-Mate Rubber Erasers
2 Mead Classic Composition Books
Plastic Hinged School Tool Box
Max's Mud-Natural Sculpting Dough
Pocket Stixx Oral Motor Tubes

Are you excited?  There are six very easy ways to enter -- and you can enter through each method increasing your chances of winning this GREAT giveaway. 

Click here to view the official entry form and get started.

A big thank you to Soft Clothing for their continued dedication to the SPD/ASD community and for continually surprising me with awesome and fun ideas.  You ROCK Soft!

Are you still reading this?  Stop -- and enter NOW.
H

Come see me!

Where are my California moms?!

If you are in the Los Angeles, San Diego, or southern California area (or don't mind the drive), come out and see me as I support an amazing local company, Sensory Time, who is dedicated to supporting families like mine (and yours) in their local community.  Their sensory friendly play space -- is great -- but owner Lauren Allum's dedication to kids is truly inspiring.  Come talk with us, and let me sign a copy of my book for you,
This is Gabriel Making Sense of School. 

Lauren and Sensory Time are giving away 100 copies of my book. 
That's right, books are free -- and as always, so is the advice. : )

Love to see you!

Hartley

Spreading Awareness

Yesterday I had the great fun of being on Seattle's KOMO 4 News promoting my book, and more importantly Sensory Processing Disorder Awareness.  I could do that every day of my life, and never get tired of it.  It inspires and refreshes me (coming only second to speaking at support groups, or doing Q&A with SPD families!).

When I got on set yesterday, the anchor, Mary Nam, said to me, "I'd never heard of this before!"  Not surprising, but we have to change that. 

So, to remind all of us why we do what we do -- why we blog, why we educate, why we share our story, I am posting my take on what being an SPD Advocate is all about -- with a dash of humor. 

We all are SPD Advocates for our children and all kids with SPD. Spread the word.

Book Signing: This is Gabriel Making Sense of School

I wanted to be sure that you all were the FIRST to know!

This is Gabriel Making Sense of School

Book signing by local author Hartley Steiner

The Spotted Cow, Mill Creek Town Center

Saturday, April 24, from 2-4pm

KIDS WELCOME!

This is a great local coffee and ice cream venue that is kind enough to host my event. The owner's kids go to school with Nick and Gabe -- nothing better than supporting local business!

You will find more information coming soon at SensoryPlanet.com, including the ability to RSVP and reserve a copy of the book This is Gabriel Making Sense of School to be signed at the event.

Check out Hartley on the morning show on NW Cable News Wednesday morning at 8am talking about SPD and her book (link to be posted after 3/31 interview at 8am PST).

Crossing my fingers that all my local friends and followers will come out and see me!

H

My Book's First Review and Giveaway!

As you all know, my book came out just barely a week ago, and I have truly enjoyed some great media attention since its release. I have received invitations to do radio interviews, magazine interviews, and I even have a television segment on my book and SPD coming next week (3/31) on King 5/Northwest Cable News here in Seattle. I could not be more pleased.

Until today.

Today the first of the reviews from fellow moms -- fellow SPD parents -- came out. One would think that this would be the least important review, a simple blog, with only two dozen followers, writing about my book. But it is truly the best.

Because of that, I would like to encourage all of you to not only go read the amazingly written review, but to enter to win a copy (the first copy I am giving away!) at Caitlin's blog, Welcome To Normal (http://www.welcome-to-normal.com/).

I have been impressed with everything that Caitlin has written , and am drawn in by her honesty and descriptive use of language as she writes about her son, his Sensory Processing Disorder, and their newest diagnosis of Aspergers.

Because of this I have also asked Caitlin to do an article for HLW3B in April in honor of Autism Awareness Month. (Side note, April will also have a giveaway and interview from Lynda Farrington Wilson, author of Squirmy Wormy and Dr. Roya Ostovar, author of The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder).

I encourage you to take a break from your busy day today and head over to Caitlin's blog, http://www.welcome-to-normal.com/ and read not just the reivew of my book (which really is good, and I am not just sayin' that because it is my book!), but all of her insightful posts detailing her relatively new journey through SPD and ASD.

Thanks Caitlin! And a big thank you to all of my readers!

Hoping for sunshine on the 3rd day of an entire week of half days (like torture),

H

Photo: Gabriel and I posing for a photo in honor of the book. (c) Sandy Clifton 2010

Official Book Release

I am so pleased to announce the release of my book, This is Gabriel Making Sense of School.

You can view and purchase it here:

http://www.amazon.com/This-Gabriel-Making-Sense-School/dp/1426927770/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268676748&sr=8-1

You can join the facebook group here:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=204826618923

And even better, for all of you out there who want ideas for sensory accommodations for your kiddo, I have designed a downloadable Sensory Accommodations Suggestions Page that you can download here:

http://www.hartleysboys.com/p/sensory-accommodation-suggestions_23.html

I am so excited to see this nearly 2-year long project become a reality. I believe that SPD will get into the DSM and that this book will be key in helping educate not just teachers, but the children our kids share their classrooms with.

Here is to all of you for reading our journey and your encouraging words through the process of publishing this book. A heartfelt thank you to everyone.

Now, please, spread the word!

This is Gabriel Making Sense of School is officially available!

H