How do you know your child has sensory issues?

[Anonymous]

My son is 3 years old and receives speech therapy services through child find. He gets therapy from an educator not an actual speech language pathologist. Recently, his "educator" expressed some concerns that my son may have sensory issues.
She says that my son likes to touch and feel things? When I asked her what? She said he picks up mulch and throws it, on occasion kind of pushes other kids and in general picks up things and throws. From what I hear most of the kids in his class do this. So, wouldn't it just be "typical toddler behavior?

What is sensory issues?

[Anonymous]

Try picking up a copy of Out of Sync Child at the library. Kids with speech problems will have sensory issues too but the examples you're describing sound like kid behavior.

[Anonymous]

10 common signs of Sensory Processing Disorder:

extra sensitive to touch - don't like to be touched or can't be touched enough
sensitivity to sounds - may cover ears
picky eaters - may only eat a very few familiar foods
avoidance of sensory stimulation - don't like messy stuff like mud or glue, wear only certain clothes
uneasiness with movement - fear amusement park rides or playground equipment, or dislike being upside down
hyperactivity - can't be still during day or sleep at night
fear of crowds - crowded areas bother to the point of meltdowns
poor fine or gross motor skills - trouble with handwriting or kicking ball
excessive risk taking - may be unaware of touch or pain, can come across as agressive
trouble with balance - may be accident prone or have a preference for sedentary activities