I'm Not Weird, I Have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): Alexandra's Journey

Chynna T. Laird

Jan 2012 · Loving Healing Press

About this ebook

Through understanding comes respect.
This book was inspired by the author's daughter, Jaimie, who struggles with SPD. It was written to validate Jaimie's feelings and to show her other children feel things the way she does. This book can help children with SPD learn how to explain their disorder to others; help peers understand what children with SPD go through; and also help therapists, teachers and/or counselors learn how to talk about it. Helping others learn about children with special needs brings understanding to them and help to make them seem less...different. This revised edition of I'm Not Weird, I Have SPD, includes suggested activities teachers or caregivers can do with children to help develop a deeper understanding of how SPD "feels."

Ratings and reviews

I'm Not Weird, I Have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): Alexandra's Journey by Chynna T. Laird, was a wealth of knowledge. I loved that it was told the perspective of a child with SPD. It allowed me to read portions with my son who has a good friend and classmate with SPD. We both learned so much more and I think it will allow my son to have an even better friendship with his classmate. I also work in an elementary school and this book along with it's resources will be a great help in my future interactions with the students. I see this book being reread often.

Good but short. Also pertains to spd people that feel the sensory. I was trying to read one on kids who are sensory seekers like my daughter.

I would consider myself quite versed in SPD (commonly known as Sensory Processing Disorder). To be honest, I feel like many of us can absolutely relate to someone with SPD. Personally for me, a lot of noise, certain textures, certain touches – all overwhelm me to the point that I need to put myself in a time out to gather myself and calm down. Now take that as an adult, give it to a child, multiply it to the point of pain, and do not give them the knowledge or words to explain how they feel. That is a child with SPD. Chynna does such a wonderful job in I’m Not Weird explaining what a child with SPD feels like – what bothers them (noise, lights, certain sounds, textures, touches, etc.). Many times these children do act out and throw tantrums because they don’t understand what is going on or why it hurts. They can’t explain how they are feeling and so they lash out, they scream, they have a fit. (Remember that next time you see a child in public throwing a fit. Don’t assume they are a brat or whatever negative comment you have to say. They could just be experiencing the pain that comes from bright lights, loud noises, a certain smell. You never know until you walk in someone’s shoes.) I’m Not Weird does a wonderful job showing this part of a child that many people do not understand, but also points out that a therapist can assist in helping the child express what is hurting them; help parents communicate with their child; and help a child with coping skills to self regulate themselves. I’m Not Weird really is a book that all adults should read so they stop making assumptions about children who may not be “perfect angels” in public for something that is beyond their control; but more importantly, I think it’s a great book for parents, siblings, and children who are diagnosed with SPD and would make a great classroom or school book for the child’s school! The more people who can understand a child with SPD, the better our world would be and I’m Not Weird does such a great job sharing what SPD is, it is a must have resource!