Winnie Dunn, Living Sensationally: Understanding Your Senses

Abstract

If the term ‘‘sensory issues’’ conjures images of discomfort and maladaptive behaviors, Dr. Dunn’s book is a wonderful reprieve. She invites us to become mindful of our own sensory experiences and those of the people around us. As we peruse the delights and nuances of our personal interactions with our sensory world, we can apply this awareness to enhance our lives and the lives of those around us through carefully designed activities, social interactions, and living environments. Living Sensationally begins by defining common sensory patterns and providing cursory underlying neurology which culminates in the reader ‘‘cracking’’ their own sensory code using the Sensory Patterns Questionnaire. Through stories and examples of people like us, Dr. Dunn effectively begins to dispel myths about behaviors. For example, someone who bounds out of bed and is ready for the world by 6 am might be deemed motivated and energetic while the person who requires more time and gradual introduction of stimuli in the morning might be called lazy. According to Dr. Dunn, they might be called a seeker and a sensor instead. Understanding how bodies differ, allow the readers to respect and even embrace differences in themselves, family and friends, coworkers, and even strangers. After a brief tour of sensory patterns, the book becomes a guide for ‘‘living sensationally’’. Dr, Dunn explores ways to tailor sensory experiences in daily routines and provides tips for specific activities such as eating, dressing, home and workspace creation, and leisure. The reader also learns how social relationships might be affected by sensory preferences and needs. Can a couple with different sensory patterns both enjoy the same restaurant? Is there a way to maintain harmony, not to mention sanity and safety, on a 6 h car ride with a seeker who needs lots of stimulation in the back seat next to an avoider who is pained by too much noise and activity? This book provides countless practical strategies that address these questions in an attempt to create a ‘‘win-win’’ sensory environment. Interestingly, there is no mention of autism or any other clinical condition anywhere in the book; however, analogies can be drawn easily from the examples given to a particular situation that parents, teachers or therapists might encounter. Dr. Dunn nicely frames sensory issues in the context of what we all experience regardless of ability or disability. One shortcoming relates to how a given sensory pattern may be a somewhat limited characterization of any individual since we are all likely to experience sensations very differently under different conditions, on different days, or in different situations. Thus, the broad appeal of defining ourselves categorically as seekers, avoiders, sensors, or bystanders should be considered in the context of our ever-changing sensational lives. All things considered, whether the reader is an experienced practitioner, a caregiver of someone with sensory issues or just an average individual who happens to cut all of the tags out of her shirts, this book speaks in entertaining and enlightening ways. One final thought: Dr. Dunn divulges her sensory pattern as ‘‘seeker’’ and her lovely photo with striking colors leads us to agree!