Adventures of the Sensokids: “Oh Messy Me” by Dr. Reema Naim is a thoughtful book that introduces parents, teachers, and kids ages 5 to 8 to sensory education in an approachable, non-intimidating way. It’s estimated that Sensory Processing Disorders are more prevalent in children than autism. SPD is also thought to be as common as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, though it’s not often recognized as the distinct disorder that is. So, books — especially books for small children on it — are hard to find. Dr. Naim hopes to change that. She is a pediatric occupational therapist and owner of OT Studios, Inc., a boutique-style clinic in Los Angeles, and this is her first book in a planned series.
This installment, “Oh Messy Me,” addresses the sense of touch through a girl named Nora, who has decreased tactile sensory awareness. She’s helped along by the Sensokids, a group of children that show her activities that will her feel touch and other sensations better, and also help her feel better emotionally too. Nora learns how to nurture her individual sensory “superpowers.” When kids at school stare at Nora, who is unaware she has peanut butter and jelly on her face and that her sweater is on backwards, she feels confused and sad. The Sensokids suggest easy fixes, that if practiced over time, can go a long way to help Nora. For example, one Sensokid suggests she play with sand and other textures to help her body learn when something is touching her; another suggests playing with wet or sticky things, like shaving cream, since this will expose her to the way different things feel and in turn help her sense of touch grow.
I liked this book, though at 3 years old, I’m a bit small still and mom had to explain things along the way. Mom loved this book and thought it did a really good job at talking about a complicated issue without being condescending. She liked that the examples were realistic and that terminology was explained along the way too. She learned a lot and said this book would be an invaluable resource for someone. She liked that it was one book geared toward everyone who might be involved in the care of a child, which would (in theory) put everyone on the same page.
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Have you improved upon a sensory issue? Would you mind sharing with us on social media how you did it? Maybe your super idea will help someone else!
