The Sensory Child Gets Organized Review

Disclosure: TMC was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are TMC’s only.

One of the first things we learned as parents when The Fifth Element was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) was the importance of planning ahead and staying organized. We were lucky enough to receive services through our county’s infant and toddler program which included speech and occupational therapy a few times a month. These sessions did not just help our daughter, they helped us as parents and as a family understand that the sensory child has a harder time than other kids navigating the world. It feels chaotic to them and they either seek or avoid stimulation to deal with their daily lives.

In the last year I have created social books to assist our little girl with daily tasks, explained plans and developed ways to stay on track and be creative and positive with her to ease the anxiety, stress and frustration she feels in new, unknown and chaotic circumstances.

One of the best tools I have found is Carolyn Dalgliesh’s book, The Sensory Child Gets Organized: Proven Systems for Rigid, Anxious, or Distracted Kids.  This book is so well organized and supportive.  It gives you the additional power to understand what makes your child ticks. I’ve said it before that her SPD diagnosis was as if we found the key to unlock her personality.  Using routines we found a better way to connect with her and prepare her for everything from going to the grocery store, library and on road trips to getting ready for preschool this fall.  For example, we gave her very organized drawers in her dresser, labeled toy bins under her bed and her closet is set up by type of clothing (shirts first, dresses, then skirts, and pants all in a row all the time in this order), and her bedding is always set up the same way. She has a set way of doing things and that routine and sameness gives her comfort.

The Sensory Child Gets Organized is effective and a valuable resource to any parent with a child with SPD, AD/HD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders (including Asperger’s), and mood disorders.  It gives parents plans to create safe spaces, deal with homework, school, travel and organize the home in a very simple, easily laid out way.  You can pick and choose where you want to read next and still gain a lot of information.

For parents with children who are anxious, rigid and distracted this is a must read!  I highly recommend it and will use it for years to come.