pt. I. Recognizing sensory processing disorder -- 1. Does your child have sensory processing disorder? -- Four out-of-sync children at home and school -- Sensory processing disorder : a brief definition -- Common symptoms of SPD -- What SPD is not : "look-alike" symptoms -- Associated problems -- Possible causes of SPD -- Who has sensory processing disorder? -- Don't we all experience sensory processing problems? -- Sample sensory-motor history questionnaire -- Hope is at hand -- 2. Understanding sensory processing, and what can go amiss -- The senses -- What is sensory processing? -- The typical development of sensory processing in infants and children -- So, what is sensory processing disorder? -- Six important caveats -- Comparison of typical sensory processing and sensory processing disorder -- 3. How to tell if your child has a problem with the tactile sense -- Three kindergartners at circle time -- The smoothly functioning tactile sense -- The out-of-sync tactile sense -- How the tactile sense affects everyday skills -- Characteristics of tactile dysfunction -- 4. How to tell if your child has a problem with the vestibular sense -- Two first-graders at the amusement park -- The smoothly functioning vestibular sense -- The out-of-sync vestibular sense -- How the vestibular sense affects everyday skills -- Characteristics of vestibular dysfunction -- 5. How to tell if your child has a problem with the proprioceptive sense -- One nine-year-old at the swimming pool -- The smoothly functioning proprioceptive sense -- The out-of-sync proprioceptive sense -- How the proprioceptive sense affects everyday skills -- Characteristics of proprioceptive dysfunction -- 6. How to tell if your child has a problem with the visual sense -- Two seventh-graders at school -- The smoothly functioning visual sense -- The out-of-sync visual sense -- Characteristics of visual dysfunction -- 7. How to tell if your child has a problem with the auditory sense -- A third-grader in music class -- The smoothly functioning auditory sense -- The out-of-sync auditory sense -- Characteristics of auditory dysfunction --

pt. II. Coping with sensory processing disorder

8. Diagnosis and treatment

A parent's search for answers

Recognizing when your child needs professional help

Documenting your child's behavior

Diagnosing the problem

Different therapies, different approaches

Bringing therapist and child together

Keeping a record

9. Your child at home

A parent's revelation

A balanced sensory diet

Promoting healthy sensory processing at home

10. Your child at school

What a difference communication makes!

If only school were more like home

Deciding whom to tell

A good school-and-child match

Promoting your child's success at school

11. Coping with your child's emotions

A typically dreadful morning

Other experts' advice

Dos and don'ts for coping

12. Looking at your child in a new light

A parent's epiphany

Becoming enlightened

A parent's encouraging words

Appendix A. The sensory processing machine

Appendix B. Dr. Ayres's four levels of sensory integration

Glossary.