Sensory Integration Disorder Checklist
Diagnosing Sensory Integration Disorder in a child entails careful and thorough observation of his actions and how he reacts to his stimuli.
Being able to diagnose earlier whether the child is having such condition is crucial to the child’s development especially in his early years. It will become a vital part as he gets to know himself more and contributes on the level of confidence and self-esteem he would carry throughout his life.
Sensory Integration Disorder mostly affects the learning phase of the child and it is in his early stage where he should learn and be taught of the various lessons both in school and in life as it will serve as his foundation that he may become ready to face the challenges that lies ahead.
OT Connection presented a checklist in order to determine whether the child is experiencing sensory integration disorder:
Fine Motor Skills / Bilateral Coordination Skills / Visual Motor Integration Skills:
• Poor coordination for fine motor tasks, such as cutting, holding a marker or pencil, manipulating fasteners, opening and closing containers, stinging beads, etc.
• Was slow to develop hand preference or is not clearly right or left handed?
• Difficulties imitating age appropriate shapes and letters, difficulties coloring or tracing within the lines, poor handwriting, difficulties finishing writing assignments in a timely manner?
• Unable to throw or catch a ball?
• Have difficulties learning motor skills for a new activity or game?
• Grasp objects too loose or too tightly?
• Have an awkward grip on writing utensils?
Gross Motor Skills / Ocular Motility Skills / Motor Planning and Praxis Skills:
• Unable to stand on one foot with eyes open, eyes closed?
• Unable to kick a moving or stationary ball?
• Unable to toss a ball or beanbag at a target 5 feet away, unable to catch a tossed ball?
• Unable to manipulate stairs, or climb on/off playground equipment without assistance to plan the correct movements?
• Difficulties learning new motor movements?
• Challenged with imitating block designs or completing puzzles?
• Unable to visually follow an object or line of print smoothly with eyes or loses place frequently when reading or copying from desk or board in classroom? • Appears clumsy and accident prone, frequently falling and tripping? Appear to have poor balance?
• Appears stiff and rigid, or loose and floppy?
Self-Care Skills:
• Difficulties with any aspect of age appropriate dressing including: manipulation of buttons, zippers, or snaps, tying shoes, putting socks, shoes, pants, shirt or jacket on?
• Unable to eat using utensils, including fork, spoon, and knife, dropping or spilling things frequently?
• Unable to drink from an open cup or straw?
• Appears overly messy when eating compared to other children their age?
Sensory Processing Skills:
• Have poor endurance for standing or seated positions, props self on the desk, head in hands, or slumps frequently?
• Has a short attention span or frequently requires movement activities to maintain attention?
• Seems sensitive to movement, avoids swings and slides, gets dizzy or nauseated easily?
• Seeks out fast or spinning activities, which frequently interfere with their daily routine?
• Over or under reacts to touch, avoids getting “messy” with play (avoids paint, sand, glue, etc) at home or school?
• Seeks out “rough” types of play, craves deep pressure and “hugs” more than other children?
• Appears to not be aware of others in his/her body space?
• Appears over or under sensitive to light and/or sounds? (Covers their ears with the vacuum cleaner, may not respond when name is called and you know their hearing is Ok) prefers the dark or shades eyes with hand when in the light?)
• Becomes excited with a lot of visual stimuli?
• Appears restless and fidgety?
• Impulsive or risk-taking behavior?
• Have difficulty organizing or structuring activities, difficulties with transitions between tasks, or react negatively to a change in their routine?
• Display poor work behaviors and require verbal cueing from an adult to complete simple tasks?
• Picky eater, avoids certain tastes or textures of food, on a limited diet?
Determine the field's where your child probably manifested and talk to a medical professional about it in order for the child to receive the right intervention that would help him in his growth and development as early as possible.
