Processing Disorders

Children or Adults with a processing disorder may do one or more of the following:

• Picky about the way their clothes feel or may prefer to not wear any, the young child who has to constantly be redressed.
• They dislike being touched or hugged.
• They are sensitive to noise; the buzz of certain lighting may cause an angry outburst
• They are in constant motion.

• They are constantly getting into things such as peanut butter, powdered sugar, make-up, flour, soap, paint, etc.
• They have angry outbursts if there is a change in plans or they do not get their way.
• They are a picky eater, they don’t like highly textured foods such as applesauce or mashed potatoes, may eat the same thing all of the time.
• They may not make eye contact.
• They participate in high-risk play such as jumping from extreme heights, climbing tall trees, or riding their bicycle over gravel or sand.
• They are accident prone, running into things or walls, they appear to not pay attention to where they are going.
• Teachers may complain they do not listen or follow instructions.
• They do not make the transition to new activities well.
• Their handwriting is poor.
• They have difficulty in school, unable or behind in their ability to read or do math.
• Some behaviors may appear compulsive such as not beginning play until all of their cars are sorted according to color or size.
• Awkward in playing sports ie, cannot throw or catch a ball, running is awkward and inefficient, the “last one picked for the team.”
• May be quiet or withdrawn.

These are just a few of the behaviors exhibited by children or adults with sensory processing disorder.