Recognizing Sensory and Motor Difficulties in Preschoolers
A Parent’s Guide
There are multiple signs of sensory-motor difficulties in preschoolers and a child may demonstrate a few of the following behaviors without cause for concern. They may be suggestive of difficulty with sensory integration when they occur in meaningful clusters and interfere with daily activities and learning. Some of these signs may indicate problems in areas other than sensory integration.
Recognizing sensory motor difficulties in preschoolers is crucial for early intervention and support. These challenges can manifest in various ways, affecting a child’s daily activities and learning experiences. Below is an expanded overview of signs to watch for, categorized for clarity.
General signs of sensory integration dysfunction:
- Sensitivity to Stimuli: Children may exhibit heightened or diminished reactions to touch, movement, sights, sounds, or smells.
- Activity Level Irregularities: An unusually high or low activity level compared to peers.
- Coordination Challenges: Difficulties with both fine and gross motor skills, leading to clumsiness or awkward movements.
- Developmental Delays: Delays in speech, language, motor skills, or academics despite normal intelligence.
- Behavioral Organization Issues: Impulsivity, lack of planning for tasks, and challenges in organizing behavior.
- Self-Esteem Concerns: Feelings of inadequacy, potentially leading to perceptions of laziness or lack of motivation.
Specific signs of sensory integration dysfunction:
Gross Motor
- Muscle Tone Abnormalities: Muscles may feel unusually stiff or floppy.
- Postural Challenges: Poor standing or sitting posture, such as slumping or leaning on supports.
- Delayed Motor Skills: Challenges in developing skills like balancing on one foot, jumping, hopping, or navigating stairs.
- Gait Irregularities: Awkward walking patterns, such as toe-walking or lack of arm swing.
- Clumsiness: Frequent falls, tripping, bumping into objects, or dropping things.
- Reluctance in Physical Activities: Hesitation to participate in playground activities or difficulty learning new games.
- Muscle Weakness: Appearing weaker than peers and fatiguing easily.
Fine Motor Difficulties
- Hand Preference Delays: Slow development in favoring one hand over the other.
- Grasping Challenges: Immature or improper grasp of crayons or utensils.
- Frequent Dropping: Regularly dropping crayons or small objects.
- Difficulty with Coloring and Cutting: Struggles with coloring within lines or using scissors.
- Challenges in Manipulating Small Objects: Difficulty picking up items like beads or pegs.
- Avoidance of Complex Tasks: Tendency to shy away from challenging activities.
Behavior Interfering With Function
- Distractibility and Short Attention Span: Easily diverted attention and difficulty focusing.
- Restlessness and Impulsivity: Constant movement and acting without thinking.
- Accident Proneness: Frequent minor injuries due to clumsiness.
- Hyperactivity or Sluggishness: Unusually high energy levels or extreme slowness.
- Forgetfulness and Difficulty Following Directions: Challenges in remembering instructions or routines.
- Emotional Regulation Issues: Easily frustrated, difficulty coping with changes, and frequent outbursts.
Reacts to Tactile Input Differently (i.e., over or under responsive)
- Sensory Seeking or Avoiding Behaviors: Craving touch and hugging or avoiding unexpected touch.
- Dislike for Certain Textures: Avoidance of activities like water play, sand play, or finger-painting.
- Overdressing or Underdressing: Inappropriate clothing choices for the weather.
- Avoidance of Crowded Spaces: Discomfort in group settings or crowded areas.
- Strong Food Preferences: Avoidance of certain food textures.
Reacts to Vestibular (Movement) Input Differently
- Craving or Avoiding Movement: Seeking activities like swinging or avoiding movement-based activities.
- Rocking or Jumping Frequently: Engaging in repetitive movements.
- Difficulty Staying Seated: Constantly repositioning or falling off chairs.
- Fear of Heights or Movement: Fearful when feet are not on the ground.
Reacts to Auditory Input Differently
- Sensitivity to Sounds: Negative reactions to unexpected or loud noises.
- Difficulty Filtering Background Noise: Challenges in focusing amidst ambient sounds.
- Unusual Vocalizations: Constant humming or making noises.
The above lists are for general information only. If you have specific concerns, please contact our office to discuss.