Integrative Sensory Disorder Signs & Symptoms

Sensory integration is the inability of the brain to respond appropriately to sensory input and to use the senses together. Sensory integration or sensory processing disorder (SPD) is often misdiagnosed. It can be hard to tell if a child has sensory problems or just behavioral challenges. Sensory integration issues are common with children diagnosed with autism, ADHD or fragile X syndrome. The rate of sensory issues in these children is much higher than in the general population. We all experience a variety of senses in a day and sometimes respond inappropriately. But, a child with sensory integration issues struggles with every day tasks. Nobody has to just cope with sensory challenges, there are therapies and treatments.

Finds Ordinary Tasks Challenging

The inability to organize the senses causes problems with even ordinary tasks--such as brushing teeth, wearing a variety of textures, or hearing sounds through a microphone. To someone with sensory integration problems, each of these sensory inputs is felt more intensely than is real.

Over-responsive or Under-responsive

Children with sensory integration may overreact to sensory input or show too little reaction. If he is under-responsive, for example, the child may not move or jump when a loud horn is blown. A child who is over-responsive seems to constantly crave sensory input such as hugs or jumping or movement. They often exhibit high/low energy cycles.

Spins or Fixates on Objects

The child spins objects or toys instead of playing with them. A child with sensory issues also fixates too long on certain stimuli--such as playing endlessly with running water or lights.

Struggles With Motor Activities

A child with sensory integration challenges can often be mistaken for klutzy or lazy. He may struggle with coordination, walk on his toes, flap his hands or make other repetitive movements to feel his body in space. These children also usually have to work extra hard with handwriting and other fine motor skills. Children with sensory problems hang on people or prefer to be in certain body positions frequently.

Avoids Eye Contact, Bright Lights

A child with sensory processing disorder may prefer dark rooms or fixate for long periods of time on lights. She also avoids eye contact, as it can be overstimulating.

Avoids Textures, Smells

A child with sensory integration issues avoids any play that is messy--such as getting his hands in dirt or getting squirted on his clothes by a squirt gun. These children also show a high sensitivity to smells and food textures. They are often picky eaters.

Struggles With Attention Span

Children with sensory processing challenges struggle to pay attention as the senses are so easily distracted. They often appear very anxious when asked to sit still and start a difficult task.