The Symptoms

This is a list of symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder that Brianna displays. I'm posting it here to make sure it doesn't get lost and maybe as something to look back on later. We're working on some paperwork for her health coverage and then will be getting in to see a counselor to see what they think.


Sensory Processing Disorder

Hyposensitivity To Touch (Under-Responsive):
__ may crave touch, needs to touch everything and everyone
__ may be self-abusive; pinching, biting, or banging his own head (nail/scab picking) ***in brackets here is my own addition***
__ mouths objects excessively

Poor Tactile Perception And Discrimination:
__ may be a messy dresser; looks disheveled, does not notice pants are twisted, shirt is half un tucked, shoes are untied, one pant leg is up and one is down, etc.
__ continues to mouth objects to explore them even after age two
__ has difficulty figuring out physical characteristics of objects; shape, size, texture, temperature, weight, etc.
__ may not be able to identify objects by feel, uses vision to help; such as, reaching into backpack or desk to retrieve an item

Hyposensitivity To Movement (Under-Responsive):
__ in constant motion, can't seem to sit still
__ could spin for hours and never appear to be dizzy
__ always jumping on furniture, trampolines, spinning in a swivel chair, or getting into upside down positions
__ always running, jumping, hopping etc. instead of walking
__ rocks body, shakes leg, or head while sitting
__ likes sudden or quick movements, such as, going over a big bump in the car or on a bike

Poor Muscle Tone And/Or Coordination:
__ frequently slumps, lies down, and/or leans head on hand or arm while working at his/her desk
__ has poor body awareness; bumps into things, knocks things over, trips, and/or appears clumsy

Signs Of Proprioceptive Dysfunction:
__ seeks out jumping, bumping, and crashing activities
__ kicks his/her feet on floor or chair while sitting at desk/table
__ loves/seeks out "squishing" activities
__ enjoys bear hugs
__ excessive banging on/with toys and objects
__ loves "roughhousing" and tackling/wrestling games
__ frequently falls on floor intentionally
__ would jump on a trampoline for hours on end
__ loves pushing/pulling/dragging objects

Difficulty With "Grading Of Movement":
__ difficulty regulating pressure when writing/drawing; may be too light to see or so hard the tip of writing utensil breaks
__ written work is messy and he/she often rips the paper when erasing
__ always seems to be breaking objects and toys

Hyposensitivity To Sounds (Under-Registers):
__ often does not respond to verbal cues or to name being called
__ appears to "make noise for noise's sake"
__ loves excessively loud music or TV
__ seems to have difficulty understanding or remembering what was said
__ appears oblivious to certain sounds
__ appears confused about where a sound is coming from
__ talks self through a task, often out loud
__ needs directions repeated often, or will say, "What?" frequently

Hyposensitivity To Visual Input (Under-Responsive Or Difficulty With Tracking, Discrimination, Or Perception):
__ often loses his/her place while reading or doing math problems
__ has difficulty locating items among other items; i.e., papers on a desk, clothes in a drawer, items on a grocery shelf, or toys in a bin/toy box
__ often loses place when copying from a book or the chalkboard
__ difficulty finding differences in pictures, words, symbols, or objects
__ difficulty with consistent spacing and size of letters during writing and/or lining up numbers in math problems
__ fatigues easily with schoolwork

Auditory-Language Processing Dysfunction:
__ unable to locate the source of a sound
__ difficulty discriminating between sounds/words; i.e., "dare" and "dear"
__ difficulty filtering out other sounds while trying to pay attention to one person talking
__ difficulty attending to, understanding, and remembering what is said or read; often asks for directions to be repeated and may only be able to understand or follow two sequential directions at a time
__ looks at others to/for reassurance before answering
__ difficulty putting ideas into words (written or verbal)
__ often talks out of turn or "off topic"

Social, Emotional, Play, And Self-Regulation Dysfunction:
Emotional:
__ gets easily frustrated
__ often impulsive
Play:
__ wanders aimlessly without purposeful play or exploration
__ needs adult guidance to play, difficulty playing independently