Is It Just a Phase… or a Sensory Signal?

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  How does your child respond to being touched (hugs, cuddles, etc.)?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Seeks
  • C.
    Avoids
• 2.
  How does your child respond to certain fabrics/clothing (tight/loose, seams, tags, socks/shoes)?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Seeks
  • C.
    Avoids
• 3.
  How does your child respond to walking barefoot?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 4.
  How does your child respond to messy play (finger paint, glue, sand, dirt, mud)?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 5.
  How does your child respond to grooming tasks (brushing hair/teeth, trimming nails)?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 6.
  How does your child respond to trying new foods?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 7.
  How does your child respond to eating crunchy or chewy foods?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 8.
  How does your child respond to smelling non‑food objects (flowers, perfume, candles)?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 9.
  How does your child respond to “risky play” (climbing high, jumping from tall surfaces)?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 10.
  How does your child respond to bouncing, spinning, banging, rough‑housing?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 11.
  How does your child respond to activities requiring significant physical activity/strength?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 12.
  How does your child respond to being tossed in the air, spun around, or pulled in a wagon?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 13.
  How does your child respond to ride‑on toys, elevators, swings?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 14.
  How does your child respond to heights (e.g., overlooking a tall balcony)?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 15.
  How does your child respond to balance activities (bike, scooters, skating)?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 16.
  How does your child respond to loud sounds?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 17.
  How does your child respond in noisy settings (concerts, crowded public places)?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 18.
  How does your child respond to TV or music at a very high volume?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 19.
  How does your child respond to shiny moving objects?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 20.
  How does your child respond to visually busy environments (busy playgrounds, theme parks, crowded beaches)?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 21.
  How does your child respond to bright lights, sunshine, fluorescent lighting?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks
• 22.
  How does your child respond to television or video games with colourful, busy, rapidly changing scenes?

  • A.
    Neutral
  • B.
    Avoids
  • C.
    Seeks

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  Neutral

  While your child’s responses to sensory input fall into a range that indicates “typical” sensory processing capabilities, still, every nervous system has a “sensory cup.” In today's more sedentary, technology‑based world it may leave your child’s sensory cup under‑filled, which surfaces as appearing fidgety, low mood, or late-day meltdowns—not a problem to “fix,” but a gentle signal on what the body needs.
• 2.
  Sensory Sensitive/ "Avoider"

  Your child may be sensory sensitive—meaning they experience everyday sights, sounds, touch, and movement more intensely than others – often to the point of being uncomfortable. This heightened sensitivity can sometimes lead to overwhelm, anxiety, or avoidance.
• 3.
  Sensory Seeking/ "Seeker"

  Your child may be a “sensory seeker”!Their body doesn’t register input as strongly, so they look for bigger, faster, louder experiences to feel “just right.” That can show up as crashing into things, constant spinning, rough play, or getting too close in other people’s space. It’s not “naughty”—it’s a nervous system asking for more input.