SPD Symptoms

Under: Sensory Under-Responsiveness

Those who experience sensory under-responsiveness have a hyposensitivity to sensory input. They often have low levels of energy and have difficulty arousing their nervous systems. Often very absorbed in their own 'little worlds', they may also fail to notice sensory information that would typically be alarming for others. They simply don't sense what others can.

Tactile Under-Responsiveness

_______ Difficulty noticing touch

_______ May not seem to notice being physically attacked

_______ May not notice extremes in temperature, often dressing inappropriately for the weather

_______ Don't notice when hands, face, or other body parts get dirty or wet

Gustatory/Oral Under-Responsiveness

_______ Unable to notice tastes and textures that others do, even if they are offensive

_______ Underactive gag reflex

_______ Seem to be able to eat anything

_______ Difficulty feeling food that is in or around the mouth

Olfactory Under-Responsiveness

_______ May not notice smells that others do, even if they are offensive

_______ May not respond to threatening smells

Auditory Under-Responsiveness

_______ Overly tolerant of loud noises

_______ Don't Seem to notice someone speaking directly to you

_______ Often miss noises that are alarming to others

_______ Have difficulty responding to your own name

Visual Under-Responsiveness

_______ May not notice or respond appropriately to alarming visual cues

_______ Have difficulty recognizing sights that should be familiar

_______ Often seem to miss what is right in front of you

Vestibular Under-Responsiveness

_______ Don't seem to notice movements in head or body position

_______ Don't seem to get dizzy

_______ Don't mind, or don't even seem to notice being upside down or sideways

_______ Overly tolerant of roller coaster drops or spinning

_______ Don't ever appear to be afraid of heights

_______ May not be able to protect yourself when falling, or even notice that you are falling until landing

Proprioceptive Under-Responsiveness

_______ Poor body awareness

_______ Don't appear to notice moving or stretching limbs or other body parts

_______ Often have floppy or poor posture

_______ Difficulty knowing where you are in space

_______ Low levels of energy and arousal, will usually prefer sedentary monotonous tasks

Interoceptive Under-Responsiveness

_______ Difficulty noticing when you are hungry, thirsty, or need to use the restroom

_______ May often go without eating or drinking because of failure to notice these sensations

_______ May have frequent accidents or even mild incontinence because you are unable to feel the need to go

_______ Don't notice a pounding heartbeat or breathing

_______ Don't seem to feel changes in body heat