Foreword, Wendy Lawson. Foreword, Theo Peeters. Introduction to the Problem. 1. Sensory Dysfunction or Different Sensory Experiences. 2. Perception. 3. Possible Sensory Experiences in Autism. 4. Perceptual Styles 5. Cognitive Styles. 6. Other Sensory Conditions. 7. Treatments. 8. Sensory Perceptual Profile. 9. Recommendations: rainbows and Umbrellas. Conclusion. References. Appendix 1: Sensory Profile Checklist. Appendix 2: Key for Decoding Questionnaire. Photocopiable Rainbow and Table.
Exploring the possible patterns of sensory experiences in autism and the cognitive differences caused by them
Dr Wendy Lawson, a psychologist, qualified counsellor and social
worker has operated her own private practice for many years. Wendy
was awarded fourth place as ‘Victorian Australian of the year' in
2008. Originally diagnosed as being intellectually disabled, then
in her teens as being schizophrenic, and finally in 1994, Wendy was
diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. The mother of four
children, Wendy has been married, separated and divorced, has
experienced the death of one of her teenage sons, lost friends and
status due to being openly gay, faced ill health and recently is
coming to terms with the fact that she is aging! Wendy's youngest
son is also on the autism spectrum. Professor Olga Bogdashina, MA,
PhD, DEd, CO-founder of and Programme Leader (Autism courses) at
the International Autism Institute, KSPU and co-founder of the
International Consortium of Autism Institutes.
She has worked extensively in the field of autism as a teacher,
lecturer and researcher, with a particular interest in
sensory-perceptual, cognitive and communication problems. She is a
Visiting Professor in Autism Studies at universities around the
world, develops university (Autism Study) courses and training
programmes for professionals and parents, presents at national and
international autism conferences and is an autism consultant for
services for children and adults.
Olga has an adult son with autism and lives in Yorkshire, UK.
What's great about her 2003 book Sensory Perceptual Issues in
Autism and Asperger Syndrome is that as well as summing up the
psysiology of sensory problems, she helps parents and professionals
to decipher the exact nature of perceptual difficulties through
observing a child's behaviour. This is practical, helpful, clear
and concise, if you suspect sensory issues are a factor in your
child's condition, I'd recommend a read.
*Aukids Magazine*
Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome enables
teachers and other professionals, parents and people with autism
themselves to fully comprehend sensory perceptual differences in
autism.
*Adolescence*
Bogdashina presents a very convincing argument that many of the
behavioural patterns seen in people with Autism and Asperger
Syndrome have a different sensory perceptual experience than people
without these conditions. The experiences may involve hyper- or
hyposensitivity, fluctuation between different "volumes" of
perception or difficulty interpreting a sense. Any, and frequently
several, sensory modalities are affected in an individual. This
book is easily understood by both parents and professionals. It is
well referenced. The Table of Contents and the Subject and Author
Indexes are easy to use. This book may be a good place to start
learning about the altered sensory experience of people with Autism
or Asperger Syndrome.
*The Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry*
Examples of experiences from autistic people provide a useful
insight into the range and variability of these experiences and a
stark reminder of the pervasive nature of autism. As a clinician,
this book has helped to reinforce the need to look at behaviours
from an 'autistic perspective' and pick up on 'the clues' with
reference to sensory perceptual difficulties and has been extremely
valuable to me for my role within an autism diagnostic team. I
would recommend this book to all occupational therapists working
within the field of autism.
*Napot Journal*
This is a great book. There are so many books on the market where
experts presume to know better than autistic people themselves and
disregard autistic peoples own accounts of what it feels like to be
autistic, but this one breaks that mould. It is not only packed
with factual information about how the brain and the senses work,
it explores the autistic experience with an open and enquiring
mind, while still tying all this in with conventional explanations
of autism and results from existing studies. This book has a great
potential to be useful, not just to parents and autistic people
themselves who are looking for information and understanding, but
to educators and service providers, whom it could inspire and
advise. Interesting and accessible, I sat down today and read it
the whole way through. Highly recommended.
*Asperger Information.net*
It is refreshing to read a book that focuses on the wider aspects
of autism rather than just the language, social and communication
needs of the child/adult.
*Bulletin*
This would be useful in a multidisciplinary team approach to autism
spectrum disorder provision.
*Speech & Language Therapy in Practice*
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