Gross motor delays may be indicated by difficulties with jumping, hopping, balancing, skipping, or running.

A coordination disorder may be indicated by clumsiness, awkwardness of movement, and completing motor tasks by more difficult means than necessary. Children with coordination delays are often hesitant to attempt new tasks.

Not all children with learning, developmental, or behavioral problems have an underlying sensory integration disorder. There are certain indicators, however, that can signal that a disorder may be present. The following are a few of the possible signs.

1. Overly sensitive to touch, movement, signs, or sounds.
2. Under-reactive to sensory stimulation
3. Activity level that is unusually high or low
4. Coordination problems
5. Delays in speech, language, motor skills, or academic achievement
6. Poor organization of behavior
7. Poor self-concept

Typically, a child with a sensory integration disorder will show more than one of the above signs and may also be easily distracted, have social and emotional difficulties, be impulsive and lacking in self-control, have an inability to unwind or calm themselves, and difficulty with transitions between situations.

Feeding issues can include inadequate intake, food refusal, being selective about the type or texture of food, expelling or packing/pocketing food, oral motor weakness, gagging, biting of tongue or cheeks while eating, and difficulty using utensils.

Oral motor challenges may be indicated by difficulty chewing, sucking, blowing, and/or making certain speech sounds. Children are often unaware of food on their faces, have trouble keeping food in their mouths, or moving food around their mouths. The child may present with low muscle tone in the face (“long” or “droopy”), a “flat affect” look, open-mouth breathing, or excessive drooling.

Fine motor challenges may be indicated by difficulty with writing, self-feeding, self-dressing (buttons, zippers, snaps, tying), using utensils, and other hand skills.