Possible Sensory Processing & Regulatory Differences

Mom Enough

INFANT / TODDLER RED FLAGS

• Persistent feeding difficulties (i.e., weak suck, difficulty progressing to solids, sensitivities to

taste/texture, delayed chewing skills, restricted food preferences, delayed oral sensory and motor

skills)

• Persistent difficulty establishing sleep / wake cycles; ongoing sleep issues

• Difficulty calming; extreme irritability that persists

• Resists being held, arches away, averts gaze, distressed with touch and handling, resistant to

daily cares

• Lacks self-calming strategies (i.e., sucking, looking at toys, listening to voice, stroking/holding toy)

• Seems overly floppy or stiff when held, has difficulty lifting and holding head vertical, remains in

one place when placed on the floor, fusses with change of position

• Is easily startled and/or frightened by sounds, sights, changes in environment

• Movements appear disorganized, frenzied, flailing, frantic or jerky

• Appears under-responsive to pain and changes in temperature

• Shows limited gestural imitation and sharing of expressions

• Difficulty sustaining and shifting attention in interactions and in play

• Avoids eye contact, uses peripheral vision, strong preference for looking at spinning, rotating or

shiny objects

• Difficulty with regulation of internal state, arousal and attention with multisensory input (i.e.:

unable to sustain eye gaze when mother smiles, talks or sings)

PRESCHOOL RED FLAGS

• Overly sensitive to or distressed with ordinary sensory events (i.e.: imposed touch, certain

 

clothing, sock seams, tags, sounds, smells/tastes/textures, bright lights, movement, busy

environments, daily cares)

• Appears clumsy, awkward with objects and moving in space (i.e.: bumps into/trips on objects,

knocks over/drops things, bumps/leans into/pushes others, uses too much force/breaks toys)

• Overly fearful or cautious, resistant to new activities and change in routines

• Fearful or avoidant of movement, avoids play on swings/slides, has poor balance

• Shows limited variety in play, difficulty entering play w/ peers, slow to learn new motor/play

activities

• Resists or has difficulty with toilet training, self care and daily routines

• Seems to be in constant motion, craves rapid, rotary and/or upside down movement, craves

rough housing/crashing, lacks safety awareness

• Constantly touching objects/others to point of irritation; intrudes into other’s space

• Persistent seeking of oral input, indiscriminant mouthing of non-food items

 

• Difficulty with emotional regulation, shows behaviors out of proportion to situation. Is intense,

demanding, easily frustrated, fearful or passive/withdrawn

• Engages in repetitive, self-stimulatory and/or self-abusive behaviors

• Has restrictive diet and/or difficulty advancing to age-appropriate foods

• Disorganized, poor impulse control and attention, difficulty sitting still and/or easily distracted by

sights, sounds, movements in environment.

St. David’s Center offers a variety of Pediatric Therapies that help children gain new skills and overcome

obstacles. Consult with an occupational therapist if your child has persistent sensory, motor or regulatory

issues. To learn more or schedule an evaluation at St. David’s Center, contact the Central Office of

Resources and Enrollment (CORE) at St. David’s Center at 952-548-8700 or

coreinfo@stdavidscenter.org. Visit us online at www.stdavidscenter.org.