Ovis Has Trouble With School

Book excerpt: Ovis is a sheep that is misunderstood by his teacher and his peers. He has sensory processing issues, therefore he misbehaves. But when Ovis gets some new ideas about how to cope from an occupational therapist, he gets back on track. The world of sensory processing can be a confusing place. 1 in 15 school-aged children experience sensory differences. Despite an advancing body of research and a quickly expanding body of knowledge, those children and families living with sensory differences often feel misunderstood, and at a loss for how to communicate to others what they are going through and what they need. This book seeks to offer Ovis and his family as someone to whom families can relate. There is no medical diagnosis of sensory processing disorder. However, sensory challenges are a part of many existing diagnoses and regardless of diagnosis or "condition," our human experience makes us sensory beings. By reading to children we support various sensory systems and create a nurturing welcoming place for them to feel connected, both to themselves and to other people. This alone is a good place to start when trying to support a child with sensory processing differences.