Can sensory integration disorder adversely impact my childs socialization and social skills?
Yes. For example, while the other children are enjoying socializing in the halls, playground, and cafeteria, the child with sensory integration dysfunction may feel she has to plug her ears to be able to handle the noise, and stay away from the other kids because she’s afraid of getting bumped into. Social activities other children find enjoyable can be extremely uncomfortable for kids with sensory integration issues. As a ‘tween or teen, a child with sensory integration issues may have difficulty tolerating the clothes that all the kids are wearing, and feel ostracized because he constantly wears ratty old tennis shoes and sweatpants. Eating with other kids can cause social anxiety, as a child’s inability to tolerate different food textures, or notice if he’s got crumbs on his face, can make him feel embarrassed. Then, too, a child who has a high need for sensory seeking can have social problems because she can’t stop touching or banging into the other kids when she’s playing, or she
