Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Patience and a keen eye while observing the child in a typical setting.
How to Recognize Sensory Integration Dysfunction
Step1
A child who is suffering from Sensory Integration Dysfunction will seem quite typical most of the time, then, without warning, they explode into uncontrollable crying sessions. These crying sessions seem to be brought on by nothing. There is no temper tantrum about wanting to get one’s way or being told “no” about something. The crying outbursts are often when a child just wakes up in the morning or is getting tired. When this episode happens, try to console them or distract them. If that doesn’t work, hold them in your lap.
Step2
Try to keep a log of the outbursts and when they happened. Write down what the room was like: Was it hot? Was it cold? Was it bright? Was it noisy from outside traffic or a TV or radio? Check to see if the child is reacting to some type of over sensitivity to one of his/her senses. Sensory Integration Dysfunction means the child’s senses are on at “full speed” all of the time and cannot be regulated like a typical person’s senses are. So, touch, sight, sound, heat and other senses can be what is triggering the episode.
Step3
Ask if the child was colicky as a baby. From the research done so far on Sensory Integration Dysfunction, all of the children with this disorder were colicky as babies.
Step4
Does the child seek out sensations, such as eating hot sauce or running into walls? Or, does the child avoid any stimulation? Sensory Integration Dysfunction can show up in either situation. If you still think your child fits the description, please see a special education specialist to have the child evaluated. An occupational therapist is the professional who helps these children. Seek out one who is trained in Sensory Integration Dysfunction.
Novice 
