Functional Mobility

Functional Mobility means getting around and can include crawling, walking, running, or using a mobility aid like a wheelchair, walker, or crutches. How do you get around?

Below you will see groups of behaviors that describe specific patterns of sensory processing. As you read through these lists, make note of any that stick out to you or seem to be descriptive of your child. Click on any group for more information about that particular pattern of sensory processing. Children can display different patterns at different times, so make sure to click on all that apply.

Over-Responsive

My child appears...

to have difficulty navigating over busy, patterned carpet, rough terrain, or smooth/shiny tile; Note that for some children with seizure disorders, flashing lights can provoke seizure activity
to display difficulty navigating through crowds, haunted houses, shopping centers, fairs, concerts, or other areas where noises may be sudden, loud, or unpredictable; Note that auditory over-sensitivity can elicit a freeze response
to frequently walk on his or her toes, to move through environments carefully or methodically to avoid light touch stimuli, to prefer to stand at the back of lines, to avoid crowds, to occasionally become "stuck", or to have rigid or robotic movements
Note that for some children with seizure disorders, certain smells can be a trigger for seizure activity
to resist moving or stretching muscles, to demonstrate increased muscle tone, or to walk with rigid or robotic movements
to demonstrate a fear of heights or gravitational insecurity; to resist movement, especially spinning, dropping, or inversion; to have difficulty navigating stairs, elevators, or escalators

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Under-Responsive

My child appears...

to frequently bump into objects or other people - perhaps without noticing
to misinterpret directions
to move with heavy steps; to be clumsy; to prefer to be sedentary
to be prone to tripping or falling over objects or other people; to be unaware of his or her body in space
to spin without feeling dizzy

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Seeking/Craving

My child appears...

to stomp or intentionally create swishing noises of fabric during movement
to show a strong preference for toe walking or being barefoot when walking through grass or on carpet; to run fingers across objects while walking or to run more than walk for the increased sensation of air on the skin
to enjoy crashing or bumping into others; to be aggressive, agile, or athletic
to move excessively or zoom from place to place; to enjoy spinning, hanging upside down, or the sensation of being dropped

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Discrimination Disorder

My child appears...

to fear heights, trip on stairs, to be timid or stare at the ground when walking, to bump into objects or other people
to be unable to discern direction, volume, pitch, or quality of sound when moving through environments
to have difficulty determining body position or relationship of body parts, especially when eyes are closed; to be uncoordinated with movements
to have difficulty determining head position or determining speed

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Postural Disorder

My child appears...

lazy, lethargic or uncoordinated
to slouch or struggle to achieve good form when moving through environments
to be easily fatigued by everyday tasks

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Dyspraxia

My child appears...

unaware of how to plan new motor tasks such as skipping, galloping, or running and kicking a ball
uncertain of how to correctly sequence steps
to struggle to complete steps in order even if he or she demonstrates understanding of the correct order
to be uncoordinated or clumsy, to frequently stumble or fall

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