Red Flags
Here is a list of ‘red flag’ behaviors or symptoms for Sensory Processing Disorder. If you feel that your child may have SPD, please consult a trained Occupational Therapist for diagnosis and treatment.
Infants and toddlers
____ Problems eating or sleeping
____ Refuses to go to anyone but me
____ Irritable when being dressed; uncomfortable in clothes
____ Rarely plays with toys
____ Resists cuddling, arches away when held
____ Cannot calm self
____ Floppy or stiff body, motor delays
Pre-schoolers
____ Over-sensitive to touch, noises, smells, other people
____ Difficulty making friends
____ Difficulty dressing, eating, sleeping, and/or toilet training
____ Clumsy; poor motor skills; weak
____ In constant motion; in everyone else’s face and space
____ Frequent or long temper tantrums
Grade schoolers
___ Over-sensitive to touch, noise, smells, other people
___ Easily distracted, fidgety, craves movement; aggressive
___ Easily overwhelmed
___ Difficulty with handwriting or motor activities
___ Difficulty making friends
___ Unaware of pain and/or other people
Other common behaviors:
Sensory Seeking
Spinning
Climbing too high
Climbing everything
Crashing into things (people, furniture, walls)
Mouthing/licking inedible things (furniture, toys, body)
Chewing inedible things (clothing)
Eating excessively
Constantly wrestling with siblings
Touching everything
Playing with food
Messy eater
Overstuffing their mouth
Eating spicy/hot foods
Under-responsive to pain (‘shakes it off’ quickly)
Dumping out toy bins just to look at everything
Excessive sensory play (mud, water, soap, etc.)
Jumping
Pushing
Loves running barefoot
Chewing on their toothbrush
Can’t sit still in their desk
Falls out of their chair for no apparent reason
Loves loud noises (turns up TV, battery toys against ears, vacuum.)
Can’t monitor their own volume (you constantly say, “Stop yelling!”)
Smells everything, even bad smells
Sensory avoiding
Picky eater (preferring one texture or basic flavors)
Covering ears at noise (hates vacuum, blender, hand dryers)
Avoids touch (not a ‘huggy’ or ‘cuddly’ kid)
Hates tags/seams in clothing
Won’t wear shoes (or prefers only one shoe type)
Avoids messy activities (mud, sand)
Avoids art activities like painting or playdoh
Walks on toes
Doesn’t engage in playground activities (climbing, swinging, etc)
Hates a wet/dirty diaper/underwear
Dislike people too close
Refuse to take a bath/shower or play in the sprinkler
Hate water on their face
Hate/Refuse to brush their teeth
Complain of the smell
Complain it is too bright (wanting to wear sunglasses)
Over-responsive to pain (everything HURTS!)
Avoids/refuses stickers/fake tattoos
