The Sensory Child Gets Organized

July 1, 2013
A professional organizer and mother of a “sensory” child, Dalgliesh asserts that organization and structure are particularly useful for children who are rigid, anxious, or distracted as a consequence of autism, AD/HD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or other sensory-related disorders. Though there are a number of profiles and diagnoses for a “sensory” child, she contends that many core challenges are similar; attention problems, inflexibility, anxiety, and social and emotional challenges are among the difficulties that these children (and their parents) face. Dalgliesh helps parents determine their child’s learning style (auditory, visual, tactile), then segues into support plans that can be implemented at home, using organization, structure, routine, and visual aids. The author addresses daily issues including the morning rush, after-school transition, homework, and chores; she also helps parents and kids declutter and use visual organization tools to make environments more user-friendly (i.e., clear plastic bins labeled with words and pictures, calming colors, creating a “chill-out zone” in bedrooms or playrooms). Packed with practical suggestions, the book effectively shows how the home environment can be modified to support the sensory child and make life run more smoothly for the entire family. Parents of sensory kids of all kinds will welcome this useful, positive tome. 25 b&w photos. Agent: Stephanie Kip Rostan, Levine Greenberg Literary Agency.

Starred review from September 1, 2013

Dalgliesh has founded several businesses based on her experience as a professional organizer. The first section of this book is devoted to elucidating how a sensory child (e.g., one with sensory processing disorder, anxiety disorder, ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, or obsessive compulsive disorder [OCD]) functions. Objective observation and understanding a child's learning style are crucial to determining how to help that child thrive in all environments, Dalgliesh writes. In the second section, the author explains how storage systems for the bedroom and playroom can create harmony in the home; structure, routines, and visual aids can ease difficult times. Throughout the book are sample charts and worksheets intended to help parents find the best organizing solutions. Black-and-white photos of sample rooms are included as well. In the concluding section, Dalgliesh provides ideas for how parents can help their sensory child succeed in the world at large, such as by easing travel times, empowering the child's teachers, and becoming the child's advocate. The book concludes with a sizable further-reading section, products the author appreciates, and organizations to contact for further help. VERDICT Chock-full of practical suggestions, this is an invaluable resource for parents of children with ADHD, bipolar disorder, autism, OCD, or sensory processing issues.--Julia M. Reffner, Fairport, NY

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.