Sensory integration dysfunction occurs when a child has difficulties interpreting incoming sensations.

The following are some common signs of sensory integration dysfunction

Sensory Registration Difficulties
Children who seem oblivious to stimuli such as touch, pain, movement, taste, smell, sight or sound.

Observable signs:
• They may not be able to identify a dangerous situation
• Do not respond to sirens or moving cars

Sensory Defensiveness
Children who are overwhelmed by ordinary sensory input, and react defensively.

Observable signs:
• A child refuses to eat certain foods
• Avoids getting dirty
• Uses fingertips, as opposed to whole hand grasp
• Extreme response to getting hair cut or brushed

Gravitational Insecurities
Children who have an excessive fear towards ordinary movement activities.

Observable signs:
• Prefers indoor activities
• Tends to keep foot flat on ground as much as possible
• Walks extremely slow
• Fearful of heights, avoids walking on a curb

Tactile Discrimination
Children who have difficulties identifying objects when vision is occluded.

Observable signs:
• Seems out of touch with own hands
• Fearful in the dark
• A messy dresser, with shoes untied and waistband twisted
• Have difficulties holding and using tools 

Proprioception Problems
Children who do not receive reliable information about their own body position. These children tend to look clumsy, distracted and awkward.

Observable signs:
• Breaks toys
• Bumps into others, misjudging personal space
• Tendency to fall often
• Minimal crawling when young
• Eating in a sloppy manner
• Resistance to new motor activities
• Difficulties manipulating small object

Vestibular Processing Disorder
Children who are hypo-responsive have an increased tolerance for movement.

Observable signs:
• Child needs to keep moving, child has trouble keeping still
• Craves intensive movement experiences
• Does not get dizzy, even after twirling for an extended amount of time
• Enjoys swinging very high

Children who are hyper-responsive have little to no tolerance for movement.

Observable signs:
• Dislikes playground activities, such as swinging, spinning and sliding
• Is cautious, slow moving and sedentary
• Demands continued physical support from a trusted adult

Dyspraxia
Children who have difficulties in motor planning.

Observable signs:
• Difficulties with directionality, such as pulling a toy as opposed to pushing
• Seems to lack goals and function in play
• Does not initiate independent play, and will often wait for older peers to imitate
• Difficulties with daily tasks, such as brushing teeth, self feeding with utensils, and taking off clothing