Children with sensory integration problems do not properly process information from the environment. It can lead to unusual, even bizarre behavior. A simple example would be a child having trouble paying attention in class because he is focused on his uncomfortable shoes. It is hard to give a complete picture of sensory integration problems in this short section. To read more about sensory integration, get a copy of The Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A. The following information is taken from that book. If you know a child who exhibits strange behavior, buy this book.

A child may be oversensitive or undersensitive to a particular stimulus. Inappropriate processing of touch, movement, body position, sight, sound, smell and taste can all affect the behavior of the child.

Touch
Oversensitive: The child avoids touching. He or she may have a fight-or-flight response to getting dirty, textures of clothes or food, or another person’s light touch.
Undersensitive: The child may be unaware of pain, temperature, or how things feel. He or she may wallow in mud, paw through toys purposelessly, chew on objects, rub against walls or furniture and bump into people.

Movement
Oversensitive: The child avoids moving or being unexpectedly moved, and may be anxious when tipped off balance. He or she may avoid running, climbing, sliding or swinging. He or she may feel seasick in cars or elevators.
Undersensitive:The child may crave fast and spinning movement. The child may move constantly, fidget, enjoy getting into upside-down positions and be a daredevil.

Body Position
Oversensitive: The child may be rigid, tense, stiff and uncoordinated. He or she may avoid playground activities that require good body awareness.
Undersensitive:The child may slump or slouch. His or her actions may be clumsy and inaccurate. He or she may bump into objects, stamp feet or twiddle fingers.

Sight
Oversensitive: The child may be overexcited when there is too much to look at and may cover his or her eyes or have poor eye contact. He or she may be inattentive when drawing or doing deskwork, or overreact to bright light. He or she may be hyper-vigilant—on the alert and ever watchful.
Undersensitive:The child may touch everything to learn because vision is not sufficiently coordinated. He or she may miss important cues such as facial expressions, gestures, as well as signposts and written directions.

Sound
Oversensitive: The child may cover ears to close out sounds or voices. He or she may complain about noises, such as vacuum cleaners and blenders.
Undersensitive:The child may ignore voices and have difficulty following verbal directions. The child may not listen well to his or herself and speak in a booming voice. He or she may want the TV or radio to be loud.

Smell
Oversensitive: The child may object to odors, such as a ripe banana, that other children do not notice.
Undersensitive: The child may ignore unpleasant odors like soiled diapers. He or she may sniff food, people or objects.

Taste
Oversensitive: The child may strongly object to certain textures and temperatures of foods. He or she may often gag when eating.
Undersensitive:The child may lick or taste inedible objects like clay and toys. He or she may prefer very spicy or very hot foods.

The Out-of-Sync Child gives examples of the difficulty the children with the various sensory integration problems have. It explains instances of unusual behavior in school and in play. The book gives drug-free strategies for parents. It helps parents to understand their children and gives them ways to help. If you know any child with a behavior problem, difficulty learning, playing or fitting in, buy this book. You will recognize children that you know by the behavior described in this book.

One thing worth noting: Sensory integration problems have been associated with low serotonin levels. Exercise increases serotonin. There are some doctors who think that we are seeing so much ADD (also possibly a serotonin problem) and sensory integration problems because children spend too much time in front of the TV, computers and video games and not enough time playing. Children need physical activity.

Learn more about natural medicine"s approach to AD(H)D.