My littlest (16 months) has me concerned. I filled out this checklist from here:
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-processing-disorder-checklist.html
I have made some calls to get evaluations done. They will be starting next week. With this many signs, it's the right thing to do to get eval'ed right? I'm just worried I'm overreacting to normal developmental stuff. my notes are hard to decipher from the rest. sorry the app i c&p'ed from made it turn out weird.
Signs Of Tactile Dysfunction:
1. Hypersensitivity To Touch (Tactile Defensiveness)
__ becomes fearful, anxious or aggressive with light or unexpected touch
__ as an infant, did/does not like to be held or cuddled; may arch back, cry, and pull away
_x_ distressed when diaper is being, or needs to be, changed
__ appears fearful of, or avoids standing in close proximity to other people or peers (especially in lines)
__ becomes frightened when touched from behind or by someone/something they can not see (such as under a blanket)
__ complains about having hair brushed; may be very picky about using a particular brush
__ bothered by rough bed sheets (i.e., if old and "bumpy")
__ avoids group situations for fear of the unexpected touch
__ resists friendly or affectionate touch from anyone besides parents or siblings (and sometimes them too!)
__ dislikes kisses, will "wipe off" place where kissed
__ prefers hugs
__ a raindrop, water from the shower, or wind blowing on the skin may feel like torture and produce adverse and avoidance reactions
__ may overreact to minor cuts, scrapes, and or bug bites
__ avoids touching certain textures of material (blankets, rugs, stuffed animals)
__ refuses to wear new or stiff clothes, clothes with rough textures, turtlenecks, jeans, hats, or belts, etc.
__ avoids using hands for play
__ avoids/dislikes/aversive to "messy play", i.e., sand, mud, water, glue, glitter, playdoh, slime, shaving cream/funny foam etc.
__ will be distressed by dirty hands and want to wipe or wash them frequently
__ excessively ticklish
__ distressed by seams in socks and may refuse to wear them
__ distressed by clothes rubbing on skin; may want to wear shorts and short sleeves year round, toddlers may prefer to be naked and pull diapers and clothes off constantly
__ or, may want to wear long sleeve shirts and long pants year round to avoid having skin exposed
_x_ distressed about having face washed (how much of this is normal idk because sunshine also hated having her face washed. I think tis is in the "normal" range for this one.)
__ distressed about having hair, toenails, or fingernails cut
_x_ resists brushing teeth and is extremely fearful of the dentist (but only if it's someone other than herself. she loves doing it herself. again I think this is in the "normal" range)
__ is a picky eater, only eating certain tastes and textures; mixed textures tend to be avoided as well as hot or cold foods; resists trying new foods
__ may refuse to walk barefoot on grass or sand
__ may walk on toes only
Most of the above, she loves. Messy play, barefoot on sand and grass, getting her hair brushed, getting her nails clipped. the face washing and teeth brushing I think are inside the norm for kids her age.
2. Hyposensitivity To Touch (Under-Responsive):
_x_ may crave touch, needs to touch everything and everyone
__ is not aware of being touched/bumped unless done with extreme force or intensity
_x_ is not bothered by injuries, like cuts and bruises, and shows no distress with shots (may even say they love getting shots!) (has been bitten twice, near to breaking the skin, and had NO reaction. cut her hand on glass yesterday and had NO reaction.)
_x_ may not be aware that hands or face are dirty or feel his/her nose running
_x_ may be self-abusive; pinching, biting, or banging his own head (more in the last couple months. She pinches her belly and chest and legs. Not super hard, but she's almost always pinchign them if she has access to her skin)
_x_ mouths objects excessively
_x_ frequently hurts other children or pets while playing This is improving with the use of "one finger touches" to control the surface area of her excitement outlet
_x_ repeatedly touches surfaces or objects that are soothing (i.e., blanket)
_x_ seeks out surfaces and textures that provide strong tactile feedback (the ONLY time I can get her to sit still is if she's got a silky blanket or a touch n feel book or a cat nearby to feel)
_x_ thoroughly enjoys and seeks out messy play
_x_ craves vibrating or strong sensory input
_x_ has a preference and craving for excessively spicy, sweet, sour, or salty foods (she accidentally got some SPICY guacamole and LOVED it and she also loves salsa. If she sees we have it she SCREAMS til we share. It hasn't bothered her belly so we let her eat it but I've never met a 16 month old who loves spicy so much)
3. Poor Tactile Perception And Discrimination:
too young
Signs Of Vestibular Dysfunction:
1. Hypersensitivity To Movement (Over-Responsive):
She simply didn't have any of these
2. Hyposensitivity To Movement (Under-Responsive):
_x_ in constant motion, can't seem to sit still except with tactile activities available
_x_ craves fast, spinning, and/or intense movement experiences
_x_ loves being tossed in the air
__ could spin for hours and never appear to be dizzy loves to spin but gets dizzy after a few spins
__ loves the fast, intense, and/or scary rides at amusement parks
_x_ always jumping on furniture, trampolines, spinning in a swivel chair, or getting into upside down positions always upside down since she could get her butt in the air. she also spins and bounces a lot. I had to bounce 90% of our day up to 3 months. i still have to when she's really upset
__ loves to swing as high as possible and for long periods of time
_x_ is a "thrill-seeker"; dangerous at times
_x_ always running, jumping, hopping etc. instead of walking
__ rocks body, shakes leg, or head while sitting
_x_ likes sudden or quick movements, such as, going over a big bump in the car or on a bike
3. Poor Muscle Tone And/Or Coordination:
__ has a limp, "floppy" body
__ frequently slumps, lies down, and/or leans head on hand or arm while working at his/her desk
__ difficulty simultaneously lifting head, arms, and legs off the floor while lying on stomach ("superman" position)
_x_ often sits in a "W sit" position on the floor to stabilize body
__ fatigues easily!
__ compensates for "looseness" by grasping objects tightly
__ difficulty turning doorknobs, handles, opening and closing items
__ difficulty catching him/her self if falling
__ difficulty getting dressed and doing fasteners, zippers, and buttons
__ may have never crawled as an baby
_x_ has poor body awareness; bumps into things, knocks things over, trips, and/or appears clumsy
__ poor gross motor skills; jumping, catching a ball, jumping jacks, climbing a ladder etc.
__ poor fine motor skills; difficulty using "tools", such as pencils, silverware, combs, scissors etc.
__ may appear ambidextrous, frequently switching hands for coloring, cutting, writing etc.; does not have an established hand preference/dominance by 4 or 5 years old
__ has difficulty licking an ice cream cone
__ seems to be unsure about how to move body during movement, for example, stepping over something
__ difficulty learning exercise or dance steps
Signs Of Proprioceptive Dysfunction:
1. Sensory Seeking Behaviors:
_x_ seeks out jumping, bumping, and crashing activities
__ stomps feet when walking sometimes
_x_ kicks his/her feet on floor or chair while sitting at desk/table
__ bites or sucks on fingers and/or frequently cracks his/her knuckles stopped thumb sucking but she used to...
_x_ loves to be tightly wrapped in many or weighted blankets, especially at bedtime
__ prefers clothes (and belts, hoods, shoelaces) to be as tight as possible
_x_ loves/seeks out "squishing" activities
_x_ enjoys bear hugs
_x_ excessive banging on/with toys and objects
_x_ loves "roughhousing" and tackling/wrestling games
_x_ frequently falls on floor intentionally
__ would jump on a trampoline for hours on end
she's never been on one
_x_ grinds his/her teeth throughout the day
_x_ loves pushing/pulling/dragging objects
__ loves jumping off furniture or from high places
We haven't reached the jumping milestone yet. as much as she loves to CLIMB these things I don't think jumping off is far behind.
_x_ frequently hits, bumps or pushes other children
_x_ chews on pens, straws, shirt sleeves etc.
2. Difficulty With "Grading Of Movement":
__ misjudges how much to flex and extend muscles during tasks/activities (i.e., putting arms into sleeves or climbing)
__ 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
__ misjudges the weight of an object, such as a glass of juice, picking it up with too much force sending it flying or spilling, or with too little force and complaining about objects being too heavy
__ may not understand the idea of "heavy" or "light"; would not be able to hold two objects and tell you which weighs more
__ seems to do everything with too much force; i.e., walking, slamming doors, pressing things too hard, slamming objects down
__ plays with animals with too much force, often hurting them she DID this, but with "one finger touch" and careful guided interaction she's gotten TONS better, though she is currently trying to pick up animals including our 60 pound dog and she pushes them a lot. but she's not
hurting
Signs Of Auditory Dysfunction: (no diagnosed hearing problem)
1. Hypersensitivity To Sounds (Auditory Defensiveness):
doesn't have any signs listed here
2. Hyposensitivity To Sounds (Under-Registers):
__ often does not respond to verbal cues or to name being called
_x_ appears to "make noise for noise's sake"
_x_ 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
__ had little or no vocalizing or babbling as an infant
__ needs directions repeated often, or will say, "What?" frequently
Signs Of Oral Input Dysfunction:
1. Hypersensitivity To Oral Input (Oral Defensiveness):
No signs here
2. Hyposensitivity To Oral Input (Under-Registers)
_x_ may lick, taste, or chew on inedible objects
_x_ prefers foods with intense flavor; i.e., excessively spicy, sweet, sour, or salty
__ excessive drooling past the teething stage
_x_ frequently chews on hair, shirt, or fingers
__ constantly putting objects in mouth past the toddler years still toddler but yes
__ acts as if all foods taste the same
__ can never get enough condiments or seasonings on his/her food
_x_ loves vibrating toothbrushes and even trips to the dentist
Signs Of Olfactory Dysfunction (Smells):
1. Hypersensitivity To Smells (Over-Responsive):
Nothing I've noticed/too young
2. Hyposensitivity To Smells (Under-Responsive):
none i've noticed/too young
Signs Of Visual Input Dysfunction (No Diagnosed Visual Deficit):
1. Hypersensitivity To Visual Input (Over-Responsiveness)
None noticed/too young
2. Hyposensitivity To Visual Input (Under-Responsive Or Difficulty With Tracking, Discrimination, Or Perception):
Nothin noticed/too young
Auditory-Language Processing Dysfunction:
too young
Social, Emotional, Play, And Self-Regulation Dysfunction:
Social:
__ difficulty getting along with peers
__ prefers playing by self with objects or toys rather than with people
__ does not interact reciprocally with peers or adults; hard to have a "meaningful" two-way conversation
_x_ self-abusive or abusive to others I'm flip-flopping here. she pushes and she pulls hair. she also pinches herself. I think I'm going with yes, but she also hugs and kisses and loves on others....
_x_ others have a hard time interpreting child's cues, needs, or emotions I often have trouble HOWEVER she is
able to say 20-30 words/phrases but
refuses to use words unless it's on her terms. se grunts and points which makes it difficult to determine what she wants sometimes. I know more than others from being with her more.
__ does not seek out connections with familiar people
Emotional:
__ difficulty accepting changes in routine (to the point of tantrums)
_x_ gets easily frustrated
_x_ often impulsive she is a toddler....
__ functions best in small group or individually
_x_ variable and quickly changing moods; prone to outbursts and tantrums Either the happiest baby ever or the angriest. rarely is there a "calm" state
__ prefers to play on the outside, away from groups, or just be an observer
__ avoids eye contact
_x_ difficulty appropriately making needs known grunt/point and refusing to use words. though this may be normal...
Play:
__ difficulty with imitative play (over 10 months)
__ wanders aimlessly without purposeful play or exploration (over 15 months)
__ needs adult guidance to play, difficulty playing independently (over 18 months)
__ participates in repetitive play for hours; i.e., lining up toys cars, blocks, watching one movie over and over etc.
Self-Regulation:
_x_ excessive irritability, fussiness or colic as an infant
_x_ can't calm or soothe self through pacifier, comfort object, or caregiver Usually she can, but we have at least one frustration fueled episode a day that results in an hour minimum of inconsolable crying. I find certain things prevent this and minimize it.
_x_ can't go from sleeping to awake without distress
_x_ requires excessive help from caregiver to fall asleep; i.e., rubbing back or head, rocking, long walks, or car rides
Internal Regulation (The Interoceptive Sense):
__ becoming too hot or too cold sooner than others in the same environments; may not appear to ever get cold/hot, may not be able to maintain body temperature effectively
__ difficulty in extreme temperatures or going from one extreme to another (i.e., winter, summer, going from air conditioning to outside heat, a heated house to the cold outside)
__ respiration that is too fast, too slow, or cannot switch from one to the other easily as the body demands an appropriate respiratory response
__ heart rate that speeds up or slows down too fast or too slow based on the demands imposed on it
__ respiration and heart rate that takes longer than what is expected to slow down during or after exertion or fear
_x_ severe/several mood swings throughout the day (angry to happy in short periods of time, perhaps without visible cause)
__ unpredictable state of arousal or inability to control arousal level (hyper to lethargic, quickly, vacillating between the two; over stimulated to under stimulated, within hours or days, depending on activity and setting, etc.)
__ frequent constipation or diarrhea, or mixed during the same day or over a few days
__ difficulty with potty training; does not seem to know when he/she has to go (i.e., cannot feel the necessary sensation that bowel or bladder are full
__ unable to regulate thirst; always thirsty, never thirsty, or oscillates back and forth
__ unable to regulate hunger; eats all the time, won't eat at all, unable to feel full/hungry
__ unable to regulate appetite; has little to no appetite and/or will be "starving" one minute then full two bites later, then back to hungry again (prone to eating disorders and/or failure to thrive)
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