Sensory Red Flags

AUDITORY
1_0000_Layer-2
  • Bothered by ordinary household sounds (vacuum cleaner, toilet flushing)
  • Responds negatively to loud noises (crying, holding hands over ears)
  • Easily distracted by background noises
  • Does not appear to hear what you are saying or respond to name
  • Likes certain sounds repeatedly
VISUAL
1_0001_Layer-3
  • Bothered by bright lights (sun) or florescent lights
  • Difficulty finding objects in competing backgrounds
  • Demonstrates poor eye contact
  • Difficulty catching a ball and copying words from the board
  • Enjoys watching objects move and spin
TACTILE
1_0002_Layer-4
  • Avoids messy play
  • Dislikes standing in line next to others
  • Prefers to touch instead of being touched
  • Dislikes teeth brushing, nail clipping, hair brushing
  • Picky eating (textures)
  • High tolerance for pain
VESTIBULAR
1_0003_Layer-5
  • Wiggles around during seated activities
  • Craves spinning/swinging/rocking
  • Likes being upside down
  • Is afraid of movement
  • Avoids playground equipment
  • Fears having head tilted backward
  • Is afraid to sit on a toilet
  • Experiences car sickness
  • Demonstrates poor balance
PROPRIOCEPTIVE
1_0004_Layer-6
  • Seeks activities such as pushing, pulling, dragging, lifting, and jumping
  • Difficulty grading force exerted (holding pencil too tightly or loose, slamming doors)
  • Bumps or pushes other children
  • Seems unsure of how far to raise or lower body during movement activities
  • Appears to have decreased coordination
AROUSAL & ATTENTION
1_0005_Layer-7
  • Hyperactive and difficult to calm
  • Difficulty modulating emotional response
  • Startles easily
  • Difficult to arouse and does not react to loud sounds, bright lights, etc.
  • Difficulty completing tasks
  • Difficulty transitioning from one task to another
OLFACTORY
1_0006_Layer-8
  • Complains of things “smelling bad”
  • Notices how people smell
  • Reacts violently to smells
  • Smells objects constantly
  • Prefers highly spiced or totally bland foods
  • Chooses very limited repertoire of foods (e.g., prefers smooth vs. textured)