Contact: Liane Worthington, The Wakeman Agency
212-500-5953 ext. 118, lworthington@
For Immediate Release
OCTOBER 25-31 IS NATIONAL SENSORY AWARENESS WEEK
October 9, 2006… SI Focus Magazine and KID (Knowledge In Development)
Last year, more than 275 volunteers from communities all over the country led activities in participation with Sensory Awareness Day. Activities included a sensory-rich alternative to scary Halloween parties featuring soothing music, comfortable textures and lots of movement activities; the development of a Sensory Playground in one Texas community; an alternative to traditional trick-or-treating in sensory-rich environments;
According to statistics, it is suggested that roughly 5% of children suffer from symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Sensory Processing Disorder is a complex disorder of the brain that affects developing children and adults. People with SPD misinterpret everyday sensory information, such as touch, sound, and movement. They may feel bombarded by information, they may seek out intense sensory experiences, or they may have other symptoms. "Sensory processing" refers to the ability to take in information through the senses (touch, movement, smell, taste, vision, and hearing), organize and interpret that information, and make a meaningful response. For most people, this process is automatic.
People who have a Sensory Processing Disorder do not experience this process in the same way. SPD affects the way their brains interpret the information they take in and also how they act on that information with emotional, attentional, motor, and other responses.
SI Focus Magazine is working to raise awareness for Sensory Processing Disorders. Each year, SI Focus Magazine works with volunteers nationwide to distribute informational packets and fliers on Sensory Processing Disorders to parents, community organizations, health care professionals and educators during Sensory Awareness Week. The volunteer program has been a success in years past, and SI Focus has seen a welcomed increase in the number of volunteers participating in the event. For those interested in taking part in the volunteer program for this year’s Sensory Awareness Week, please contact SI Focus to register as a volunteer and receive your informational packets. Contact SI Focus at P.O. Box 821404, Dallas, Texas 75382. Or call (214) 341-9999.
KID Foundation is also working to raise awareness for Sensory Processing Disorders. KID has launched a national campaign to have SPD categorized in the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-V (DSM-V). Categorization in this manual will help in the research, fundraising and treatment of SPD. Currently, there is no healthcare coverage for the treatment of SPD. Occupational Therapy is the treatment used for Sensory Processing Disorders. With categorization in the DSM-V, healthcare companies can begin to provide the much needed coverage for the treatment of SPD.
To learn more about National Sensory Awareness Week, or to sign up as a volunteer, please visit the website: www.sensoryinformation.com.
For more information on SI Focus Magazine, visit the website: www.sifocus.com
For more information on KID Foundation, visit the website: www.kidfoundation.org.
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