General SPD Behavioral Checklist
General Behavioral Signs of SPD
So, now that you've seen all the different ways impaired sensory integration can alter a person's specific behaviors, you may still be wondering: what's the big picture? How are all people with SPD alike? Well, it is true that each of us is different. We each have our own sensory quirks and behaviors that are specific to us. However, there are a few things that most of us have in common. Here is a list of some of the ways we might all share a common bond.
Instructions: please mark (from 0 to 5) the frequency at which you experience each symptom, with 0 being 'never', and 5 being 'always'. If you find an issue that you used to experience, but might no longer experience, please write 'R', indicating that the issue may have already been resolved. For more information about SPD Life Checklists, please visit our How to Use page.
Regulation Issues
_______ Poor eating schedule or routine
_______ Difficulty sticking to a good regular sleep pattern
_______ May experience insomnia or frequently over-sleep
_______ Extreme difficulty with changes in routine
_______ Extremely frustrated when things go differently than expected
_______ Difficulty with ANY type of transition
Psychological and Emotional Issues
_______ Experience depression
_______ Low sense of self-esteem or self-worth
_______ Poor or diminutive self concept
_______ May have self-abusive or even suicidal thoughts and tendencies
_______ Experience large shifts in mood, sometimes unpredictably
_______ Have frequent 'meltdowns' or emotional outbursts
_______ Preference of remaining alone and not joining in with groups
_______ Easily frustrated
_______ Difficulty expressing needs
_______ Avoid eye contact
_______ Difficulty maintaining attention
_______ Compulsive and impulsive behavior
_______ Exhibit obsessive or repetitive behavior
_______ High anxiety, many fears and phobias
_______ Avoidant or anxious of trying new things
Social Experience
_______ Difficulty making and maintaining relationships, may consider yourself a loner
_______ Often outcasted by peers and made to feel 'different'
_______ May frequently fall subject to verbal or even physical harrassment and teasing
_______ May prefer self-absorbed personal tasks as opposed to group activities
_______ Have a hard time conversing meaningfully with others, and others may have a hard time figuring you out
_______ Often try to control or manipulate others, may be considered 'bossy'
Intimacy and Family Life
_______ Frequently experience difficulty in close relationships
_______ Have a hard time sharing a bed
_______ Experience difficulty in sexual relationships, especially involving touch
_______ Difficulty expressing feelings to family
_______ Not able to participate as you would hope at family gatherings
_______ Have a hard time hugging children or listening to their high pitched voices
Others
_______ Had developmental delays as a child
_______ Find certain 'fixations' and spend a lot of time obsessing over them
_______ Chronically under stress
_______ Have had to answer to "what is wrong with you?!?" a LOT
_______ Have a harder time than usual whenever there is a full moon