4. Hyper-or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment

4) Hyper-or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment; (such as apparent indifference to pain/heat/cold, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, fascination with lights or spinning objects). Observations/notes may include: 

 Fascination with spinning objects or staring at objects that spin

 Tapping and scratching on surfaces; inspecting, walking along and tracing lines and angles; feeling particular textures, cloths, etc

 Has unusual perceptions and reactions to how things look, sound, taste, smell or feel

 Extreme dislike of certain sounds and touching certain textures

 Dislike of being touched

Max has always been fascinated with things that spin. He especially loves wheels. He will often hold a car upside down and watch the wheels spin. He also puts things on the wheel and spin them. He loves to spin, standing or on all fours, all over the family room. He will spin until he's so dizzy he falls over. He has auditory sensory issues with certain sounds. He has been known to lay down and cry when he hears kids squealing with delight at the playground. He can't go near the sound of merry-go-rounds, and we've had to leave certain restaurants before our food even came because he melts down after hearing certain sounds. He is an oral sensory seeker and is constantly chewing on toys, clothes, books, etc. When he is avoiding things or people, he will show you his ‘squishy face’, as we call it, or hold up his hand in front of his face.

Here is Max spinning the wheels on his truck, rather than playing with the truck right-side-up.
from this week:

This is what happens when we try to watch America's Funniest Home Videos on TV:

This is what happens when we go near a carousel:

We get the same reaction when he hears kids squealing with delight at the playground. If he's not in the stroller, he will freeze, then lay on the ground and cry.

This is what happens if we go on a 'fun' theme park type ride:

When we are at noisy restaurants, sometimes when we meet new people, or when certain people come over (like his uncles who have loud voices), we get the hiding behind the hand. 

Max LOVES chewing. He doesn't care if its a pacifier, chewy tube, toy, book, or jacket. He prefers paper.