Greatly Blessed: Book Review & Giveaway: I'm Not Weird, I Have SPD

I'm glad my children are living in a time that's much more focused on inclusion than back when I was a kid. Since my girls are "different," I'm sensitive to making the world more welcoming to those with special needs. We received a new book to review, I'm Not Weird, I have SPD which does just that.

This book was informative, and explained sensory processing disorder in a way my girls could understand. Amazon lists it as intended for ages 5-7, but I think you could go a lot older than that. There's a lot of text on the pages for a 5 year old. Only 13 pages of the book are the story. I feel like they could have spread the text out and doubled the number of story pages, and included a web site address for parents to access the information in the back of the book.

My reviewer, Katie, is 10. She thought it was interesting because she had never heard of SPD before. I asked her if the character in the book reminded her of anyone, thinking maybe she's been exposed to someone with sensory processing issues at school, but she said no.

I appreciated that the girl in the book learned to *use her words* through the help of occupational therapy. We've absolutely had times where we needed to redirect screaming to using words.

Through Understanding Comes Respect and Love

This book was inspired by the author's daughter, Jaimie, who struggles with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) every day. It was written to validate Jaimie's feelings and to show her other children feel things the way she does. This book can help children with SPD learn how to explain their disorder to others; help peers understand what children with SPD go through; and also help therapists, teachers and/or counselors learn how to talk about it. Helping others learn about children with special needs brings understanding to them and help to make them seem less... different.

New 2nd edition includes suggested activities teachers or caregivers can do with children to help develop a deeper understanding of how SPD "feels" plus new pages on vestibular and proprioception systems.

Praise for I'm Not Weird, I Have SPD:

"This book is a must-read for any parent who has a child suffering with Sensory Processing Disorder. It also helps your child put words to what they are feeling on a daily basis. Teachers and other professionals working with children who have SPD also come to a better understanding of how to help these children." --Tanya Wilson

"A heart-touching book, written in a straightforward, kid-friendly manner that provides an excellent insight to the trials, frustrations, and new discoveries children with SPD and their families may encounter. This book has assisted in creating an appreciation and acceptance of the unique qualities within all of us, and that we are not 'weird'-we are 'wonderful'!" --Lillian Baulkham, Grade 3 teacher, Sweet Grass School, Edmonton, Alberta

"When I read Chynna Laird's I'm Not Weird, I Have SPD, I almost cried. Not because the story of a child struggling with severe sensory disorder is so sad, but because the frustration shared by child and family alike before diagnosis is so heart-wrenching. Ms. Laird leaves the reader with a moment of with a moment of joy and a real hope for a brighter tomorrow!" --C. Hall

From the Growing With Love Series from Loving Healing Press

Juvenile Fiction : Social Issues - Special Needs

Education : Special Education - Communicative Disorders

Available to buy from...

Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk GPlay Kobo Barnes and Noble Paperback Hardback Audible

Also available in audio!

Enjoy these excerpts...

About the author

CHYNNA LAIRD – is a psychology/criminology major, freelance writer and author. Her passion is helping children and families living with Sensory Processing Disorder, mental and emotional disorders and other special needs. You’ll find her work in many online and in-print parenting, inspirational, Christian and writing publications in Canada, United States, Australia, and Britain. In addition, she’s authored two children’s books, two memoirs (and another in the works), an adult Suspense/Thriller, a Young Adult Suspense/Paranormal series, two contemporary New Adult novels and a parent-to-parent book. Stayed tuned as Chynna has several Works-In-Progress on the go.