Is It Behavior or Sensory?
A Parent-Friendly Sensory Processing Checklist + Activity Ideas
Is your child’s behavior really “bad behavior”—or could their sensory system be overwhelmed?
Every child experiences and processes the world differently. When a child’s nervous system has difficulty interpreting sensory information, everyday experiences can feel overwhelming. What looks like tantrums, avoidance, defiance, distractibility, or “acting out” may actually be a child communicating that something doesn’t feel right.
Is It Behavior or Sensory? is a simple, parent-friendly digital download designed to help you identify common signs of sensory differences and better understand what may be happening beneath the behavior.
What’s Included
This easy-to-use checklist explores sensory processing across:
Visual: Bright lights, visual clutter, eye tracking, puzzles, and noticing details
Auditory: Loud noises, background sounds, responding to their name, and noise sensitivity
Tactile (Touch): Clothing textures, tags, messy hands, unexpected touch, and seeking touch
Vestibular (Movement & Balance): Spinning, rocking, fear of movement, balance, and constant movement
Proprioception (Body Awareness): Crashing, jumping, stomping, rough play, pencil pressure, and body awareness
Taste & Smell: Food selectivity, gagging, food smells, smelling non-food items, and seeking intense flavors
What Will You Learn?
The checklist helps you recognize patterns that may suggest your child’s sensory processing is affecting their behavior, participation, learning, play, or mealtimes.
Your results provide a simple starting point for understanding whether your child may benefit from additional support or a conversation with a Pediatric Occupational Therapist.
A Simple Starting Point
Use the included scoring guide to help identify whether your child is showing few, mild, or more noticeable sensory differences.
Important: This checklist is a screening tool—not a diagnosis. Every child is different, and sensory behaviors should be considered within the context of the whole child.
Plus: Simple Strategies to Get Started
Continue beyond the checklist with practical, parent-friendly ideas to help balance your child’s sensory needs throughout the day and support regulation at home.
Perfect for parents who are wondering:"Why does my child react this way?""Is this behavior—or could there be something sensory going on?""What can I do to help?"
Digital Download | Parent Resource | Pediatric Occupational Therapy-Informed
Created by Little Tides Occupational Therapy to help families better understand their child’s sensory needs and support meaningful participation in everyday life.