Sensory Red Flags

Extreme reactions (crying, screaming, running away) or significant difficulty with tolerating sudden noises, specific noises, crowds, and/or loud noises
Startling easily, becoming agitated in noisy environments
Distracted by all sounds
Covering ears even at the anticipation of a sound or in uncertain/unfamiliar environments
Difficulty responding to and following directions presented verbally
Making constant noises (singing, humming, clicking)
Not responding when name is called

Constantly moving, fidgeting, spinning around
Fearful of movement (e.g. stairs, playground equipment, swings)
Uncoordinated, clumsy, bumping into things, falling, difficulty learning new motor tasks
Slumping, slouching, leaning on desk or on walls when walking in the hallway
Difficulty with maintaining balance when walking and during gross motor play

Easily distracted by surrounding visual stimuli (e.g. posters or art on the walls, activity in the room).
Difficulty visually focusing on a task like coloring a picture or completing a worksheet
Not noticing surroundings unless things are pointed out
Staring intently at objects or becoming fixated on visual stimuli (e.g. fans, lights)
Arranging objects in a specific way repeatedly (e.g. lining objects up, stacking objects up)
Holding paper very close to face or bending down towards desktop at a paper when writing or cutting.

Very reluctant to trying new foods, extremely picky eater
Extreme resistance to oral sensation-based experiences like brushing teeth
Refusal to use utensils to eat
Choking or gagging during eating or brushing teeth
Constant biting, chewing on, or mouthing hands, clothing, fingers, toys, and other objects
Biting others
Constantly making mouth noises (clicking, buzzing, humming)
Difficulty with chewing or drinking from a cup or straw

Avoiding getting hands or face messy
Avoiding activities like finger-painting, play doh, and eating messy foods
Extreme reactions or tantrums during bathing, haircuts, and dressing
Difficulty tolerating certain clothing or textures on skin (e.g. tags on clothing)
Needing to touch everything and everyone (e.g. craving hugs and closeness with others, fidgeting with objects, seeking out textures and touch experiences)