"Once in a while, you come across a book that just jumps out at you, revealing itself as a winner! It will stand out as being 'user friendly,' able to be utilized by a diverse group of readers, and the ideal resource guide to keep in your hip pocket. It can be identified by its concise wording and easy-to-read layout. Mary Lashno's Mixed Signals is just that book. It is a must-read for people who are interested in learning about sensory-processing issues.

Sensory processing is complex and an integral part of our learning and development. It weaves itself in and out of our brains, collecting and organizing sensory input from our bodies and the environment. That complexity often makes the study and explanation of sensory processing disorder (SPD) a challenge. In Mixed Signals, Mary accepts that challenge and provides 'clear signals' about sensory processing and SPD that can be valuable for occupational therapists, parents, teachers and anyone interested in helping a child.

As a parents' guide, Mixed Signals offers a short history of sensory integration (SI) therapy, as well as a discussion of SI terminology in a mixture of layman's terms and professional jargon. Her comparison of normal and abnormal sensory processing outlines the more difficult to understand sensory systems-tactile, vestibular and proprioception-and provides an explanation of over- and under-responsive reactions to sensory stimuli. Indeed, one of the greatest assets of her book is the 'visual' descriptions she provides of the behaviors associated with these reactions in her concise case studies.

Parents are also treated to an excellent step-by-step guide through the evaluation process, beginning with the referral for an evaluation, through the areas of assessment, to the implementation of the OT's recommendations. They are provided with explanations about the benefit of occupational therapy with a focus on SI, descriptions of therapy sessions that address various sensory issues, and treatment approaches that the OT may suggest for use at home and at school. Again, excellent case studies assist in completing the picture. The book's resource section lists equipment, toys, games and websites where parents can make purchases that will enhance their child's sensory experience, as well as a list of organizations that provide information and support for parents.

The greatest selling point for this book, however, is its relevance to both the lay person and the professional. Mixed Signals is just as appropriate for placement on the bookshelf at home as it is on the shelf at the occupational therapy clinic. It can be an excellent guide for learning for an OT addressing SPD issues for the first time. Lashno provides quick reference charts outlining the sensory systems, the motor outputs that are affected by them and the impact they have on a child's growth and development. There are also charts to assist in the 'teasing out' of behaviors that reflect sensory dysfunction versus autistic-like behaviors. The book's many case studies take the reader through evaluation and therapy sessions, providing explanations about what you 'saw.' The section on treatment approaches provides an overview of the strategies available for use in the clinic, at home and in school-with pictures and step-by-step instructions! Of course, nothing takes the place of formal or mentor-guided training; but the information provided here can be the launching pad toward gaining a broader knowledge of SPD.

Mixed Signals is easy-to-read and chock full of information. It fits the bill as an information and resource guide for parents, teachers, and occupational therapists."
-Advance for OTs (www.advanceweb.com/OT)

"This book was written by an occupational therapist who has worked extensively with children with sensory processing disorders and autism. Written from a sensory integration perspective, the first half of the book provides background information about sensory processing disorder, including terminology, identification, and possible behavioral and functional outcomes. The second half focuses on treatment of sensory processing disorders, including clinic-based sensory integration treatment, and strategies used in home and school settings.

Helpful summary tables and lists with concrete strategies and real-life case examples are provided throughout. Examples of behaviors that may be indicative of different types of sensory processing disorder and ways to treat different types of sensory processing disorder are included. The author also highlights behaviors that may be motivated by sensory processing disorder versus behaviors that might be related to a diagnosis of autism. Although the author acknowledges the lack of empirical support for many sensory-based treatment strategies in the first chapter, this is not articulated later when treatment approaches are discussed. Therefore, occupational therapists working in this area will need to seek other resources addressing the empirical support for sensory-based treatments.

The appendix summarize toys, objects and activities recommended for improving various manifestations of sensory processing disorder, and contact information for catalogue companies and organizations that provide information, parental support and advocacy for sensory processing disorder. These lists are focused on resources available in the US, but toll-free numbers and websites are provided when available.

Overall, the book is easy to read and well organized. It provides practical resources for parents of pre-school and elementary-school aged children with a sensory processing disorder and autism. It may also be a valuable introductory resource for occupational therapy students or novice therapists on how to identify and treat sensory processing disorder in children with autism."
Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, June 2010

NAPPA Gold Winner...judges' reviews:
"This is a book I've been waiting for--I know so many people who can benefit from it. In fact, I wish I had written it myself. Author Mary Lashno's know-how and knack for explaining the issues makes it a must-read for all parents.

Mixed Signals has two audiences. One group is parents who have been told that their child has sensory processing issues, or who wonder why their child has trouble with touch, sound, coordination, controlling emotions or new environments. The other audience is everyone else! Because all children developmentally have to figure out sensory processing, all parents will recognize their child at some point in this book.

Parents of children who have more significant difficulties with their sensory processing or with integrating sensory information will applaud how Lashno makes these difficult topics understandable. She also provides a great deal of practical advice on what to do at home and what to expect from sensory processing therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders or who have very specific struggles in just one area--such as over-sensitivity to tactile stimulation. One of my favorite concepts is that every child needs a healthy 'sensory diet,' tailored to her specific sensory profile, including alerting and calming activities for every sensory area."
–Larry Cohen, Ph.D., Lead Judge

"I believe that occupational therapists are the unsung heroes of child development and am thrilled when some of their abundant knowledge becomes more widely available."
–Lead Judge

"This book should be in every parent's arsenal for understanding their child's special development. It's a great step in providing useful references for families and a terrific summary of all the latest thinking on sensory integration (SI). It refers to all the great innovators on SI (Greenspan, Ayers, Miller, Wilbarger, etc). I have been to many trainings on SI and this really sums it all up in one, family-friendly resource."
–Special Needs Judge

"Written by an occupational therapist who is also the mother of an autistic child, this book discusses the mixed signals that children with sensory processing disorders exhibit to the normal stimuli in their environment that is provided by their senses. Using examples of how children with sensory processing disorders have difficulty with social and motor development, the author compares both normal and abnormal sensory processing which is often seen in children with autism or pervasive developmental disorders.

The author reviews the history and terminology of sensory processing as well as the normal evaluation process that needs to be undertaken to diagnose this disorder. An entire section is devoted to sensory integration therapy modalities that are used to treat various expressions of sensory processing. Various examples of therapies are described to encourage the child to become more alert and comfortable with sensory input in order to better socialize with others in their environment.

Utilizing both the skills of an occupational therapist and the partnership of parents and caregivers, parents are encouraged to attend therapy sessions to observe how their child processes information and techniques to assist them in the home environment. Specific techniques reviewed are deep pressure and proprioceptive, brushing with textures, and vestibular input which can be utilized in both under receptive and over receptive children. An index, bibliography and recommended readings are included at the end of the book. This book is appropriate for collections that focus on the specific issues faced by special needs children, and is written in a conversant style that is appropriate for caregivers and therapists alike."
-CAPHIS Consumer Connections

"This is a wonderful resource for parents, teachers, therapists, and others who care about children with sensory processing disorder. By combining easy-to-follow information, case studies, and real-life strategies, Ms. Lashno provides a solid introduction to understanding and helping a child challenged by poor sensory processing skills."
-Lindsey Biel, OTR/L, coauthor, Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues

"If you've ever wondered why occupational therapists do what they do, you'll enjoy reading all the secrets shared here by the OT author."
-Terri Mauro, Guide to Parenting Special Needs, specialchildren.about.com
Read the entire review here

"The many case reports included in this book give the reader a good visual image of how children with sensory processing disorders behave. The author also offers tried and true approaches to treating sensory issues, with easy-to-read explanations of the science behind the disorder."
-E.J. Brown, editor of ADVANCE for Occupational Therapy Practitioners and co-author, An Overview of Early Intervention

"Mixed Signals is an excellent resource for parents who want to learn more about sensory processing disorder and wonder if it's the cause of their child's unusual reactions to light, sound, taste, or touch."
-NATHHAN/CHASK NEWS, Spring/Summer 2010