Do You understand the children on your caseload ? In your classroom? Or in your home ? Why can't they sit still? Why do they tuck their feet behind their chair's legs? Why can't they remember what they just read? Why do they move their head when they read ? Why are they such "picky eaters?" Like a gyroscope , our vestibular system communicates with our central nervous system (the instrument panel) to give us critical information to process where we are in space. When in good working order, we know if we are moving fast or slow, are upside down or right side up, and the direction we are going. With the many connections of the vestibular system to the rest of our sensory and motor systems, we can regulate internally, appreciate and modulate sounds, touch, and hearing as well as move correctly for the task presented. If our vestibular system is not working as it should, then our instrument panel connections ( our central nervous system) may give us faulty information. We may not correctly interpret sensory information, movement requirements and have errors with resultant responses. This filed guide gives explanations of our "human gyroscope" and the connective links to the foundations of development. Presented are insights into the "what, why and how" questions posed from therapy practitioners, teachers and educators, medical personnel, family members, and caregivers who work with or live with individuals who have motor, educational ,and sensory challenges and delays. Patricia Hadley, P.T. and Beverly Butler Hall, M.ED,CCC-SLP present tools, strategies and perspectives to help you "connect the dots."

As a response to questions and requests from parents, teachers, and therapists of individuals who are challenged by sensory motor integration difficulties, this field guide was written. Some frequent questions were; Why cant' my child sit still? Why can't they remember what they just read although they read many books? Why do they move their head when they read? Why do they put their head down on the desk? Why do they dislike certain noises? This guide is for clinicians and medical professionals ,laypersons and educators. It identifies areas that offer information and insight into connective links between sensory motor development and sensory motor anomalies with explanations of the connective links to the foundations of development. The BLUEPRINT for the human body in both its creation and development will always be the same. With guidance for identifying causes ,not symptoms , there can be better use of precious time and resources. This can lead to less frustration and confusion for individuals and family members. For the therapist and medical professional: Despite giving your best efforts, you may be frustrated by only seeing limited or slow gains. This provides the tools to identify problems in a new way and further your own knowledge and skill. Through this guide, you may gain a new perspective to the underlying, foundational issues rather than the presenting behavior. It is designed to offer therapists a concise compilation of information that pulls the vestibular system functioning, reflex integration, and visual processing information together. For the educator, diagnostician, school psychologist and any other related educational professionals: This was written to raise awareness of many problems students have that impede learning. You may have questioned why one seemingly bright student is failing and why previous attempts for learning have fallen short. This guide will help you better identify the underlying problem and seek the proper help. For the parents and families: You may be struggling with where to go for help. It's not a recipe or guide for families to deliver therapy, but rather a guide to raise awareness of difficulties from a different perspective. If you see your child described in this guide, you will be better equipped to know which questions to ask and where to begin to seek help.

Patricia graduated from Southwestern University Medical School's Allied Health Division in Dallas, Texas with a BS in Physical Therapy in 1983. She has been certified in Neuro Developmental, Sensory Integration and Praxis Testing, and Sensory Integrative Treatment. Patricia has delivered physical therapy in the areas of adult neurological rehabilitation, orthopedic rehabilitation, pediatric physical therapy, long-term care facilities and acute care facilities, as well as home health physical therapy. She has served as director of physical therapy in a hospital based adult neurological rehabilitation unit and in many school districts. In her private therapy clinic, her clinic provided physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology services for twenty-three years. She has been a frequent speaker, educating and advocating early childhood screening for sensory motor anomalies and intervention for sensory motor difficulties. In 1998, she presented a paper in England on the vestibulocochlear system's impact on learning and nervous system organization at the 10th European Conference on Learning Disabilities. She made subsequent travels there to further provide training to European delegations.