Is It Sensory Or Is It Behavior?

Betty A. Paris, PT, M.Ed. Carolyn Murray-Slutsky, MS, OTR 		      

In looking at the issues surrounding children and their behavior, authors Carolyn Murray-Slutsky and Betty Paris emphasize that behaviors result from multiple causes and cannot be addressed in a linear fashion with any one single strategy.

Behavioral concerns arise when children’s behaviors are bothersome, interfere with their ability to learn or function, or are harmful. Some children act as they do because of their bodies’ reactions to sensory input. Inattention, distractibility, fidgeting, acting without thinking, and aggressive or defiant behaviors such as pushing or striking out all may have a sensory cause.

Clinicians, teachers, and parents will find this a useful resource for unraveling the mysteries of why children adopt certain behaviors and learning how to deal with them. In addition to the in-depth descriptions of behavioral analysis and sensory dysfunction, the authors include chapters on temper tantrums, environmental modifications, and sensory diets. Extensive charts, tables, and photos help illustrate the concepts discussed, and a number of reproducible forms and checklists are included. Sensory and behavior issues are often complex, intermingled, and pertinent to most clinicians who work with children.

This book provides information and strategies for distinguishing between sensory-based and non-sensory-based behaviors, as well as intervention techniques. Topics addressed include causes of behavior, sensory integrative dysfunction, environmental factors that impact behavior, managing challenging behaviors, and implementing sensory diets. The case studies and worksheets included offer practical suggestions when working with children.