Newswise — Striving to address the most common sensory issues children face, two occupational therapy professors at University of the Sciences recently released their book, Raising Kids with Sensory Processing Disorders: A Week-by-Week Guide to Solving Everyday Sensory Issues. Rondalyn Whitney, PhD, DTR/L; and Varleisha Gibbs, OTD, OTR/L, compiled unique proven strategies parents can use to help their children move beyond their sensory needs and increase their performance on tasks such as school work, holidays, and interactions with friends.

“As a mother of two children with very different sensory needs, this book allowed me the opportunity to show parents how to characterize their child’s sensory issues into one of several profiles they can use to find the best adaptations and changes to their everyday routines,” said Dr. Whitney.

Whether removing tags from clothing or using special dimmed lighting when studying, Dr. Whitney said children with sensory processing disorders often need to make changes in their everyday lives in order to find success in school and beyond.

“Children with sensory processing disorders have great difficulty figuring out what is going on inside and outside of their bodies. What may be simple experiences for others can become sensory overload for a child with special needs,” said Dr. Gibbs.

With the holiday season in full swing, Dr. Gibbs said a chapter of the book is devoted to providing tips to families of children with sensory issues to help make their experiences less stressful. More specifically, the book also provides 52 week-by-week activities to help make morning, mealtime, school, bedtime, holiday and social routines less chaotic for families.

Drs. Whitney and Gibbs have written and spoken extensively on sensory processing disorders, and their book is available for purchase on Amazon.com. For assistance in making arrangements to interview them, contact Lauren Whetzel ([email protected], 215.596.8864) or Brian Kirschner ([email protected], 215.895.1186).

At University of the Sciences, students embark on a challenging learning experience in a proving ground for successful professionals in the science and healthcare-related fields. A private institution dedicated to education, research, and service, and distinguished as the North America’s first college of pharmacy, the University has produced leaders in the science and healthcare marketplaces since its founding in 1821. Students in USciences’ five colleges learn to excel in scientific analysis and to apply their skills to improving healthcare in the lives of people worldwide through such disciplines as pharmacy, biology, chemistry, psychology, physics, physical therapy, healthcare business, and health policy. For more information, visit usciences.edu.

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