What are the signs of sensory integration disorder in a three-year-old child?

Under normal circumstances, the manifestations of sensory integration disorder in a three-year-old child mainly include poor motor coordination, visual processing issues, auditory processing issues, tactile dullness, and olfactory dysfunction. It is recommended to follow medical advice for symptomatic treatment. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Poor Motor Coordination

The child may be unable to grasp objects precisely, exhibit clumsy movements, or fail to tie shoelaces. Parents are advised to take the child for vestibular rehabilitation training, such as neurological exercises and balance function training. These interventions can enhance the child's balance ability and support normal vestibular development.

2. Visual Processing Issues

The child may spend long periods watching television or mobile screens but struggle with fluent reading, often skipping words or adding extra ones. Children may take medications such as Compound Aminobutyric Acid Vitamin E Capsules or Estazolam Tablets under medical guidance. If these treatments prove ineffective, surgical intervention may be considered.

3. Auditory Processing Issues

The child may sometimes fail to hear when spoken to or frequently forget what others have said. Parents can conduct auditory training by encouraging the child to repeat spoken content or help deliver messages, thus creating more opportunities for communication. Music therapy—such as playing children's songs regularly—is also beneficial. Providing sound-emitting toys and hiding them so the child can search for them may further stimulate auditory awareness.

4. Tactile Dullness

The child may show lack of curiosity, display solitary behavior, and avoid social interaction. Parents can encourage the child to touch various objects to experience differences in texture, such as softness, hardness, dryness, moisture, and roughness. Placing the child’s hands briefly into cool water and then warm water helps them perceive temperature differences.

5. Olfactory Dysfunction

Some children with sensory integration disorder may also experience olfactory dysfunction, primarily characterized by an inability to distinguish different smells, such as floral scents or gasoline fumes. Under a doctor’s guidance, olfactory training may be conducted to help improve symptoms.

For children diagnosed with sensory integration disorder, parents should also pay attention to psychological management and provide additional care and affection. If a child exhibits the above symptoms without a clear cause and sensory integration disorder is suspected, parents should seek medical evaluation including visual and tactile examinations to assist in diagnosis.