Sensory Focus Magazine: Understanding the Issues Behind the Behavior – Winter 2014

This post is to give you a “bird’s eye view” of  the Winter 2014 Issue of Sensory Focus Magazine: Understanding the Issues Behind the Behavior published by Sensory World. First a little background information.

In February 2013, I wrote a post, Magazine on Sensory Processing / Sensory Integration: S.I. Focus Digital Magazine by Sensory World. In that post I also explained about the other magazine published by Future Horizons, the parent company.  Future Horizons publishes autism and Asperger’s syndrome resources including The Autism Asperger’s Digest. This is a bi-monthly print magazine now also available on Apple iOS. The Autism Asperger’s Digest, their site tells us, was created to meet the needs of teachers, therapists, and family members who face the challenge of autism.

Now back to SENSORY FOCUS Magazine which is a quarterly magazine published by Sensory World with Future Horizons as its parent company. The Sensory Focus Magazine was established in 2004 as a print magazine. In January 2011, it went totally digital.  Now, in 2014, the print magazine is once again available. Sensory World focuses on sensory issues, which affect all people with autism, and many with ADD/ADHD, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, OCD, and even us “neurotypicals.”

Their web site says, “Sensory Focus Magazine is the first of its kind, serving as an international resource to parents and professionals who want to stay informed on how to improve sensory integration and how to address sensory processing deficits.”  I have been reading it for a few years and each issue is very interesting and I always learn something new!  It is very true that Sensory Focus Magazine articles help to enlighten, encourage and empower parents in the sensory community!

 Sensory Focus:

Understanding the Issues Behind the Behavior

Winter 2014

As always readers will find parent-friendly articles written by experts in their field that will help them learn new parenting skills to make the lives of their children with sensory issues better. Therapists and educators will also find valuable information in the SENSORY FOCUS Quaterly Magazines. The Vice President of Future Horizons, Inc. and Editor in Chief of Sensory Focus is Jennifer Gilpin Yacio. The Copy Editor is Heather Babiar

The following is the title of each article, a very short description about the article, and a word about the author.

Occupational Therapy: Supporting the Parents’ Perspectives

 –by Paula Aquilla. In this article she shares ideas on how parents and OTs can best work together to help the child. A parent-centered approach is a win-win situation! OTs can share knowledge with and learn from parents and parents can learn parenting skills that will help their child to thrive. Paula Aquilla  is a pediatric occupational therapist in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She co-authored Building Bridges  through Sensory Integration, now in a new edition.

The Most Basic Sense Is Invisible: Growing Up with Sensory Issues

-by Jennifer McIlwee Myers, Aspie At Large. Jennifer explains how paying conscious attention to the real physical needs that most folks take for granted is a great Step One for people with SPD. Jennifer McIlwee Myers is a woman with Asperger’s Syndrome and she provides countless tips to improve the lives of those with sensory difficulties. She is the author of How to Teach Life Skills to Kids with Autism or Asperger’s (Future Horizons, 2010).

Can Medicine Help Treat Sensory Issues in Autism Spectrum Disorders?

-by Edward Aull, MD. Dr. Aull explains how medications can be helpful with sensory issues, although in an indirect manner, but with good, clinically significant improvements. Dr. Aull is the author of a new book, The Parent’s Guide to the Medical World of Autism. He has a private practice in Carmel, Indiana, for medication treatment of patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, and associated comorbidities.

Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

-by Marla S. Roth-Fisch with Gina St. Aubin This article on sensory issues explains when a child’s behavior is misunderstood, it can result in misdiagnosis.  The authors write about the importance of having a child evaluated as soon as parents see  signs and symptoms of SPD.

Marla S. Roth-Fisch is the award-winning author and illustrator of Sensitive Sam. She is the VP External Board of Directors for the SPD Foundation. Her second book, Sensitive Sam Visits the Dentist will be released in Fall 2014.

Gina St. Aubin is a member of the Board of Directors for the SPD Foundation. She founded and is the contributing editor for Special Happens, a site dedicated to helping families with special needs http://specialhappens.com

The Importance of Changing a Game Midstream

-by Barbara Sher, MA, OTR She is the author of ten books on children’s games. Visit her web site: www.gameslady.com  Barbara’s books and Songames CD’s have instructions about her games but she always encourages the teacher or therapist to adapt the activities to meet the ability of the child or children they are working with. Her article shows clearly how she saved the day with a small change that made a huge difference for the children involved that lacked a particular skill.

Subscription Rates for SENSORY FOCUS – Understanding the Issues Behind the Behavior

• E-MAGAZINE – $14.95 US
• PRINT MAGAZINE – $24.95 US

How to Subscribe to the Print or E-Magazine

Go to www.sensoryfocusmagazine. com or call 800•489•0727.

On our Special Needs Book Review site we have interviews with  Marla S. Roth-Fisch and Barbara Sher and reviews of some of their books and products.