The following is a short list of indicators that may suggest your child has a Sensory Processing Disorder:
- Child may seem to be in constant motion, unable to sit still for an activity
- Has trouble focusing or concentrating, can’t stay on task
- Seems to be always running, jumping, stomping rather than walking
- Bumps into things or frequently knocks things over
- Reacts strongly to being bumped or touched
- Avoids messy play and doesn’t like to get hands dirty
- Hates having hair washed, brushed or cut.
- Resists wearing new clothing and is bothered by tags or socks
- Distressed by loud or sudden sounds such as a siren or a vacuum
- Has poor fine motor skills such as writing and cutting, difficulty with buttons and tying shoelaces
- Has poor gross motor skills such as body co-ordination, riding a bike, swimming, running
- Hesitates to play or climb on playground equipment
- Difficulties with balance
- Difficulty with eyes tracking objects and often loses place when reading or copying from board
- Marked mood variations and tendency to outbursts and tantrums
- Avoids eye contact
- Has trouble following and remembering a 2—3 step instruction
- Fussy eater, often gags on food
- Reacts to smells not noticed by others
THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF SENSORY RED FLAGS
If a child is…
- Very busy, always on the go, and has a very short attention to task
- Often lethargic or low arousal (appears to be tired/slow to respond, all the time, even after a nap)
- A picky eater
- Not aware of when they get hurt (no crying, startle, or reaction to injury)
- Afraid of swinging/movement activities; does not like to be picked up or be upside down
- Showing difficulty learning new activities (motor planning)
- Having a hard time calming themselves down appropriately, difficult to settle and hard to put to sleep
- Appearing to be constantly moving around, even while sitting
- Showing poor or no eye contact
- Frequently jumping and/or purposely falling to the floor/crashing into things
- Seeking opportunities to fall without regard to his/her safety or that of others
- Constantly touching everything they see, including other children
- Hypotonic (floppy body, like a wet noodle)
- Having a difficult time with transitions between activity or location
- Overly upset with change in routine
- Hates bath time or grooming activities such as; teeth brushing, hair brushing, hair cuts, having nails cut, etc.
- Afraid of/aversive to/avoids being messy, or touching different textures such as grass, sand, carpet, paint, Playdoh, etc.
- …an early childhood intervention/developmental therapy referral may be appropriate.
NOTE: sensory integration/sensory processing issues should only be diagnosed by a qualified professional (primarily, occupational therapists and physical therapists). Some behaviors that appear to be related to sensory issues are actually behavioral issues independent of sensory needs.
For more information on SPD and signs of, please visit: www.spdaustralia.com.au