I was very excited to be given the opportunity to interview Marla Roth-Fisch. Besides being the talented author and illustrator of the award winning children’s book Sensitive Sam, Marla is Vice President on the board of directors for the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation and the Digital Media Marketing Strategist for Future Horizons, Inc.

Even though Marla is successful, her most fulfilling job is being a wife and a mother. She has been married for 16 years and her love grows everyday for her husband Aaron. She is also blessed with two children, Abi, a budding chef, and JJ, the inspiration for Sensitive Sam.

When JJ was three, Marla and her son were waiting in an occupational therapist office for the first time.  They were there to get a diagnoses and treatment. She describes it best in her own words:

“Me, shaking my leg nervously, while looking at a magazine attempting not to show weakness, and my son pressed hard on my side, clenching my arm like one does to squeeze the remainder of the toothpaste out of the tube. He didn’t have any interest in playing on the floor with the others, nor did he even understand why we were there. I felt at that point no one should feel the anxiousness that we were experiencing.”

She realized that she needed more understanding while sitting in that waiting room. She recognized the importance for both children and adults to understand SPD. She chose to write a children’s book so people could understand this disorder and how it affects children.

Marla describes for book as “reassuring for parents, comforting for children, and an inspiring resource for professionals.” Sensitive Sam begins by showing the daily struggles that Sam faces as a child with SPD. Parents and children will find many of the challenges familiar in their own lives. The story follows Sam and his parents as they find out about SPD and meet an occupational therapist. The book has a happy ending as Sam incorporates a sensory diet into his life. This book allows children with SPD to relate to someone and know they are not alone. It also describes SPD in terms that they will understand.

Marla based many of the stories in Sensitive Sam on real life experiences with her son. She kept a journal to document her son’s behavior to communicate better with professionals and decided she wanted to change that journal into a children’s book, so she did. She took a college class, used online resources, her library, and a support team to finish her book. She tested the book on her kids to make sure the words were appropriate for their age. Marla was able to get a publisher quickly and the rest is history, as they say. Having her book published is very rewarding because she has been able to help other families and children with SPD.

As a mother of a child with SPD, Marla gave me some advice to pass on to our readers. She wanted parents to know that they shouldn’t waste time on negative thoughts. That blame, ignorance, and self-pity does not help your child and the time wasted on negative thoughts should be geared towards more productive things that can help your child. One productive thing to focus on is having a sensory diet at home to continue treatment outside of the occupational therapists office. She saw improvements with her son only one month after implementing a sensory diet. With focusing on being productive, you will still have really bad days between good days but at least you will know that you have done everything you can to help your child.

Marla also wants our readers to know that siblings of children with SPD need special attention too. They often get overlooked and have to deal with the daily struggles of SPD as well. As a parent with a child with special needs it is hard to give equal time so it is important to give the special attention that they deserve.

I was very excited to get to know more about the creative author and illustrator of Sensitive Sam and I hope that you have enjoyed getting to know her as well. Marla is currently working on a Sensitive Sam Snuggle, a weighed character that children can feel good holding. I know that I will be looking forward to any future projects that Marla completes.

If you would like to read Marla’s book then you are in luck because Marla is graciously giving away a free copy of her book Sensitive Sam through her publisher Future Horizons. Future Horizons is the world leader in conferences and resources on Autism and Asperger syndrome. They recently have extended into sensory issues in order to serve more people on the PDD spectrum.

If you would like a chance to win a free copy of Marla’s book you need to:

1. Follow the SPDBN (by RSS or email – our mascot is holding the icons!)

2. Leave a comment stating why you want a copy of Senstive Sam 

BONUS ENTRIES:

Follow @SPDBN on Twitter (and leave a seperate comment with your twitter name)

and/or

Blog about this (and leave a seperate comment with the link)

A winner will be chosen at random and the winner will be emailed directly. Enter now through 2/20/11 at midnight PST. Good luck everyone!

Be Sociable, Share!

•