I let my daughter read the "Goodenoughs" book and she enjoyed that. I also told her that inside our bodies there are wires just like a computer and sometimes the wires get crossed and don't work properly. Most importantly, we told her that we love her and this is part of what makes her special.
She has the hyposensitive kind of SPD (doesn't realize her face is messy, hair is undone, etc.), and is also a sensory seeker (vestibular, proprioceptive). Last year's teachers said she always fell, tripped, and was into other kids' space. She still chews on straws when drinking juice.
We went to weekly OT sessions for about 6 months and also did things at home, including The Listening Program. She happens to be very intelligent and creative, and I have found out that there are a lot of gifted children who have sensory issues. She really enjoyed going to OT and was quite sad when she got discharged about a month ago. We are still continuing with the listening program 2x/day which she doesn't mind because she can draw or play with the headphones on.
She has always enjoyed ice skating & amazingly can balance herself and do spins and jumps because of the momentum and feedback the speed gives her. It almost makes me cry that my "out of sync" (on level ground that is) child is actually skating on a synchronized figure skating team! I consider this twice weekly activity a big part of her maintenance "therapy".
We also let her jump on a trampoline and hang upside down on a trapeze at our swingset if she wants to. I keep a small pack of bubble gum and pop rocks in the car to give her a little "pick me up" in the afternoons.
I don't think the SPD completely goes away, but what I hope for her is that as she gets older she can become more aware of what her body needs and know what to do about it.
