Sensory integration
dysfunction occurs when a child has difficulties
interpreting incoming sensations.
The following are some common
signs of sensory integration dysfunction |
| Sensory
Registration Difficulties |
Children who seem oblivious
to stimuli such as touch, pain, movement, taste,
smell, sight or sound.
Observable
signs:
- They may not be able to identify a dangerous
situation
- Do not respond to sirens or moving cars
|
| Sensory
Defensiveness |
Children who are overwhelmed
by ordinary sensory input, and react defensively.
Observable
signs:
- A child refuses to eat certain foods
- Avoids getting dirty
- Uses fingertips, as opposed to whole
hand grasp
- Extreme response to getting hair cut
or brushed
|
| Gravitational
Insecurities |
Children who have an excessive
fear towards ordinary movement activities.
Observable
signs:
- Prefers indoor activities
- Tends to keep foot flat on ground as
much as possible
- Walks extremely slow
- Fearful of heights, avoids walking on
a curb
|
| Tactile
Discrimination |
Children who have difficulties
identifying objects when vision is occluded.
Observable
signs:
- Seems out of touch with own hands
- Fearful in the dark
- A messy dresser, with shoes untied and
waistband twisted
- Have difficulties holding and using tools
|
| Proprioception
Problems |
Children who do
not receive reliable information about their
own body position. These children tend to look
clumsy, distracted and awkward.
Observable
signs:
- Breaks toys
- Bumps into others, misjudging personal
space
- Tendency to fall often
- Minimal crawling when young
- Eating in a sloppy manner
- Resistance to new motor activities
- Difficulties manipulating small object
|
| Vestibular
Processing Disorder |
Children who are
hypo-responsive have an increased tolerance
for movement.
Observable
signs:
- Child needs to keep moving, child has
trouble keeping still
- Craves intensive movement experiences
- Does not get dizzy, even after twirling
for an extended amount of time
- Enjoys swinging very high
Children
who are hyper-responsive have little to no tolerance
for movement.
Observable
signs:
- Dislikes playground activities, such
as swinging, spinning and sliding
- Is cautious, slow
moving and sedentary
- Demands continued physical support from
a trusted adult
|
| Dyspraxia |
Children who have
difficulties in motor planning.
Observable
signs:
- Difficulties with directionality, such
as pulling a toy as opposed to pushing
- Seems to lack goals and function in play
- Does not initiate independent play, and
will often wait for older peers to imitate
- Difficulties with daily tasks, such as
brushing teeth, self feeding with utensils,
and taking off clothing
|
