Characteristics

• Sensory integration disorders - trouble shutting out sights & sounds, reluctance to being held or cuddling, easily overstimulated, prolonged crying, (Cues: looking away, yawning, sneezing, hiccoughing, rapid jerky motor movements, rapid breathing,crying)
• Irregular sleep patterns
• Failure to Thrive -feeding difficulties, height & weight growth deficiency
• Difficult to manage out in public
• Danger to self and others because they do not understand cause and effect
• Impaired learning abilities in the areas of reasoning, judgement and memory.
• Sometimes medically fragile

Intervention & Management

Set the environment

• Keep environment calm and quiet - watch for signs of over stimulation
• Limit number and type of objects hanging from celings and walls
• Use calm colours such as pastel blue, light green or pale yellow (avoid orange, red)
• Protect toddler from being overwhelmed - too much bright light, noise, talking and music
• Keep the same routines everyday - no surprises!
• Change in seasons may affect toddlers - allow them time to adjust
• Be firm and flexible when needed - give limited choices
• Help the child gradually tolerate stimulus

Sleep/Getting Up

• Allow time to settle
• Review day, discuss tomorrow to reduce anxiety
• May need to use alarm on door if they wander or run away
• Try to keep same sleep and wake routines during weekends and holidays
• Use same morning routine ever day

Feeding difficulties

• Serve food at first sign of hunger
• Small frequent high calorie meals
• Reduce distractions

General

• If clothing is an issue stop fighting and try and work out what is going on - remember sensory issues - tags, rough material etc
• Slowly introduce new sounds and textures
• Be sure you have eye contact before giving instructions or warnings
• Avoid over stimulation
• Give warnings about changes in routines but not too far in advance
• Avoid visual and auditory stimulation at mealtimes
• Be aware of food sensitivities and the affect they might be having on behaviour
• Direct supervision 24/7 to stop bad things before they happen