SPD Support

Sensory Modulation

General Modulation

_______ has unusual feeding habits (strong preferances, eats at odd times, etc.)

_______ has unusual sleeping habits or sleep schedule

_______ heightened difficulty getting to asleep in unfamiliar environments

_______ distressed by switching from one activities to another in daily routines

_______ becomes engrossed in one single activity for a long time and seems to tune out everything else

_______ very high or very low energy level

_______ colicy; difficult to calm down, no matter what you try (or perhaps only one thing works, like being rocked)

_______ very resistent to change in daily life and surrounding environment

_______ parents find they must always control the baby's environment and “warn” people what to do/not to do so baby is comfortable

Over-Responsiveness

_______ distressed by being dressed, especially in certain fabrics or textures

_______ prefers to go naked; is often trying to remove clothing

_______ bothered by "light touch"; someone lightly touching/caressing hand, face, leg or back

_______ extremely ticklish

_______ distressed by being held; may arch back or become upset when hugged.

_______ distressed by diaper changes

_______ becomes inconsolably upset in a wet or dirty diaper

_______ potty trained early due to distress of wet or dirty diapers

_______ dislikes the feeling of water, especially during bathing or when getting splashed

_______ avoids touching certain textures, especially anything messy

_______ upset by having dirty hands or face

_______ may gag when eating foods with certain textures or flavors (has a very limited diet)

_______ difficult to get to try new foods or textures

_______ avoids putting toys and other objects in mouth; doesn't explore the world through the mouth like most babies

_______ distressed by certain generally mundane odors

_______ becomes upset or distraught when people come to the house or when in crowded places

_______ sensitive to noises that most babies are not bothered by (microwaves, refrigerators, fans, voices, vaccuum cleaners, etc.)

_______ avoids certain types of toys (vibrating, rough textured toys, slippery/slimy toys, brightly colored objects, flashing objects etc.)

_______ can't sleep if room isn't completely dark and/or quiet; wakes up at the slightest noise or light

_______ distressed by bright lights or the sun

_______ when able to walk, is unstable and afraid of falling

_______ doesn't enjoy movement games, baby swings, playground equipment; stroller, wagon, or car rides, etc.

_______ distressed when suddenly moved or head/body is tipped (may become afraid, arch back, get startled, etc.)

_______ distressed when being moved (i.e., rocked, swung, bounced, or “thrown” in the air)

_______ doesn't tolerate being in certain positions, i.e., on back, on stomach, sitting, etc.

_______ will stay in a position and become uncomfortable when moving to another (hard to transition posture, awkward)

_______ clenches fists and toes a lot

_______ distressed by being set down on top of certain fabrics or textures; may toewalk when they start walking to avoid touch ground

_______ gets overwhelmed, cries, or falls asleep when over stimulated

Under-Responsiveness

_______ doesn't respond to own name or a familiar voice

_______ doesn't respond to noises peers would notice

_______ doesn't appear to notice having a wet or dirty diaper

_______ doesn't seem to notice need to go; a late and/or difficult potty trainer

_______ doesn't seem to notice pain; get shots/cuts/bruises and not get upset

_______ doesn't interact with peers or adults; is hard to engage, an observer and not a 'do'er

_______ doesn't seem to notice if hands or face are dirty

_______ oblivious to new toys or nearby toys, and/or resists playing with them

_______ difficult to get up in the morning or from a nap; sleeps a lot

Sensory Seeking

_______ loves to touch and be touched, has to touch everything

_______ always seems to engage in repetitive, non-purposeful play with a limited number of objects

_______ often touches and twists own hair or other's hair

_______ frequently bangs head, pinches, hits, bites, or hurts self or others

_______ extremely attached to pacifiers; can't calm down without it

_______ needs excessive movement (swinging, rocking, bouncing, or rocking self constantly)

_______ aside from the typical teething stage, always chewing on things (clothes, hands, fingers, etc.)

_______ prefers foods with very strong tastes and flavors

_______ needs to be swaddled tightly, have heavy blankets, stuffed animals, or tighter pajamas to fall asleep

_______ needs consistant sound or white noise to stay asleep (fan, nature tape, music, etc.)

_______ needs a lot of sensory input to fall asleep (rocking, singing, bouncing, rubbing skin, etc.)

_______ seeks out crashing and "squishing" activities

_______ identifies objects by smell, has to smell everything, uses smell to determine whether or not to like something or someone

Sensory Discrimination

_______ frequently breaks toys (applies too much pressure)

_______ frequently drops toys (doesn't apply enough pressure)

_______ is too forceful around animals (not gentle enough)

_______ slow to start talking

_______ has significant issues with making 'typical' childhood noises

_______ bumps into things frequently

_______ difficulty organizing and grouping things by categories, similarities, and/or differences (color, shape, size, etc)

Sensory-Based Motor Abilities

_______ late to crawl,e walk, gesture, hold bottle, manipulate/play with toys, etc.

_______ doesn't crawl before walking, or uses a 'commando crawl,' pulling self along on belly with arms

_______ clumsy, uncoordinated, bumps into things, accident prone

_______ difficulty balancing and staying upright, especially on uneven surfaces

_______ uses just one hand with toys and/or can't switch from one hand to another

_______ confuses right and left sides

_______ not a natural explorer; will stay put and not explore world around them typically

_______ can't use or keep a good grip on objects at an age appropriate level

_______ is unable to clap hands or bang toys together at appropriate age level

_______ easily fatigued with physical tasks

_______ difficulty breastfeeding; seems to lack instinctive 'know how'

_______ difficulty chewing, sucking or swallowing

_______ doesn't hold onto or reach for toys at an appropriate age

_______ closes hand if object comes near it; unsure of how far away it is or how to grab it

_______ frequently drops items

_______ difficulty learning and using language, cues, gestures, etc. becoming easily frustrated

_______ difficulty learning new motor tasks (new games, new movements, etc.)

_______ floppy body, noodle-like; weak grip

Social and Emotional

_______ dislikes changes in routines, needing consistancy

_______ often appears defiant or uncooperative

_______ is very emotional and sensitive, cries a lot

_______ distressed when transitioning from one activity to another

_______ does not engage in recipricol play with caregivers or other familiar people

_______ severe separation anxiety (incredibly upset when left alone or with unfamiliar people for even short periods)

_______ has many tantrums every day

_______ has excessive reflux, allergies, ear infections or digestive issues

_______ can't get enough of, or never attached to, comfort objects (blanket, stuffed animal, rubbing something, pacifier, thumb, etc.)

_______ can't focus attention on play, caregiver, or toy long enough to interact at an appropriate age level

_______ engages in constant non-purposeful activities (spinning, rocking, staring at certain objects, etc)

_______ is not interested in play or will not use objects for purposeful play

_______ wanders around aimlessly a lot

_______ has a very hard time transitioning from bottle or breast feeding to solid foods

_______ often appears sad or uncomfortable; may not smile much

_______ strongly prefers adults with certain energy levels or voices (intonation, volume, pitch, etc.)

_______ difficulty establishing eye contact, focusing on objects or tracking them with eyes

_______ easily startled

_______ needs a favorite toy or sound to soothe self, but seems to get over being upset very quickly

Internal Regulation

_______ difficulty getting to sleep at night or at a nap time

_______ very unpredictable sleep/wake cycle

_______ respiration too fast or slow for the appropriate state of arousal

_______ sleeps a lot; is not often alert, responding, playing, or interacting

_______ has a very hard time waking up

_______ chronic, irregular, and inconsistent bowel and bladder activity

_______ seems to always be hungry or doesn't ever want to eat

The above checklist was editted by Dan Travis and reposted from sensory-processing-disorder.com with the original author's permission.