Sensory Processing Disorder Test
Questions: 73 · 10 minutes
1. I often do not notice when someone calls my name until they repeat it.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
2. I seek tactile stimulation, like wearing textured clothing or using textured tools (fidgets, brushes).
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
3. Background sounds (fans, humming, people talking) make it hard for me to focus because they feel too intense.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
4. I often don’t notice crumbs, wetness, or stickiness on my skin until later.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
5. Fast-moving visuals (action scenes, scrolling, busy video games) overwhelm or exhaust me.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
6. I often chew on things (gum, pens, ice, snacks) to help me concentrate or relax.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
7. When I have to sit still for long, I feel a strong urge to move or change position.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
8. I prefer busy environments (crowds, activity, background noise) over quiet ones.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
9. I seek out strong flavors (very spicy, sour, crunchy) because mild foods feel unsatisfying.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
10. I do not notice small cuts, scrapes, or bruises right away.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
11. I feel strained, irritated, or headachy in visually busy places (crowds, clutter, lots of movement).
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
12. I can go a long time without noticing hunger.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
13. I get overwhelmed in crowded spaces because of all the sensory input (noise, movement, touch, lights).
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
14. I have trouble noticing when my breathing is shallow or when I’m holding my breath (unless someone points it out).
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
15. I notice sounds that others don’t seem to notice, and they bother me.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
16. I often prefer rough-and-tumble play, wrestling, or strong physical contact.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
17. I enjoy intense movement (spinning, fast rides, jumping) more than most people I know.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
18. I am slow to notice when I’m getting overwhelmed physically (e.g., tired, hungry, uncomfortable) and I “crash” later.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
19. I can miss visual details that other people notice quickly (e.g., a sign, a mess, something out of place).
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
20. I may not notice that I am getting dizzy or off-balance until it becomes obvious.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
21. I feel better or more focused when I am moving (e.g., bouncing a leg, pacing, rocking).
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
22. I intentionally choose intense sensory experiences (concerts, strong flavors, vigorous exercise) to feel “reset.”
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
23. Bright lights (sunlight, fluorescent lighting, screens) bother me more than they seem to bother other people.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
24. I like activities that involve impact or pressure (running, crashing into cushions, heavy work).
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
25. I don’t notice when I am slouching or in an awkward posture until someone points it out or I start hurting.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
26. Small changes in temperature (heat, cold, drafts) feel unusually uncomfortable to me.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
27. I may not realize I need to use the bathroom until it feels urgent.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
28. Certain repetitive sounds (chewing, tapping, clicking pens) feel extremely upsetting or unbearable.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
29. I feel restless unless I get frequent sensory input (movement, touch, sound) throughout the day.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
30. Sudden or loud noises (e.g., sirens, barking, clanging dishes) feel painful or overwhelming to me.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
31. I may not notice when my hands or face are dirty until someone points it out.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
32. I often stand too close, lean, or bump into things/people because I like the sensation of contact.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
33. I like loud music or high volume because it feels energizing or calming to me.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
34. I seek bright or visually stimulating spaces (screens, colorful lights, fast visuals).
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
35. I sometimes don’t notice that I am moving too fast, too rough, or too close for the situation.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
36. I sometimes do not notice strong smells that others notice right away.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
37. I can be unaware of background noises that other people find obvious (e.g., a fan, traffic, buzzing).
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
38. I like very hot or very cold sensations (showers, drinks, weather) more than most people do.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
39. I avoid certain daily activities (shopping, public transit, events) because they are sensory overload for me.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
40. I am slow to notice changes in lighting (e.g., it is dim, glare is strong) until it affects what I’m doing.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
41. I often touch textures around me (clothing, fabric, surfaces) because it feels satisfying.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
42. I talk, hum, or make sounds to stimulate myself when things feel too quiet.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
43. Certain clothing textures, seams, tags, or waistbands feel unbearable or distracting.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
44. I notice and feel bothered by minor body sensations (a small itch, a tiny pebble in a shoe, a wrinkle in a sheet).
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
45. I crave deep pressure (tight hugs, heavy blankets, squeezing) to feel grounded.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
46. I sometimes fail to notice when my clothing is twisted, inside-out, or uncomfortable.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
47. I feel drawn to activities with speed or risk because they give me a “just right” feeling.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
48. I feel distressed when water touches my face or body (showering, swimming, rain).
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
49. Grooming activities (hair brushing, haircuts, shaving, nail trimming) are very uncomfortable for me.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
50. I purposely seek strong smells (candles, perfumes, essential oils) because I enjoy the intensity.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
51. I seek out repetitive sensations (tapping, clicking, rubbing) because they feel satisfying.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
52. I often fidget with objects (pens, rings, putty) to stay regulated or attentive.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
53. I enjoy crowded or fast-paced social settings because they keep me stimulated.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
54. I may not notice food tastes mild or bland when others find them flavorful.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
55. I do not notice thirst until I feel very thirsty.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
56. I bump into doorways, furniture, or people without realizing how close I am.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
57. I become irritable, anxious, or shut down when I can’t control sensory input around me.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
58. Certain tastes or food textures feel intolerable to me, even when others seem fine with them.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
59. I prefer hands-on, sensory-rich activities (cooking, crafts, tools, messy play) over quiet tasks.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Not sure
Agree
60. I misjudge how much force to use (e.g., opening doors, holding objects) unless I focus carefully.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
61. I need quiet or dim spaces to recover after being in stimulating environments.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
62. I startle easily or feel “on edge” with unexpected sensory input (a door slamming, someone approaching suddenly).
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
63. I often do not notice minor injuries or pain until I see them or they interfere with what I’m doing.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
64. I have to cover my ears or leave when places get noisy (e.g., restaurants, malls, parties).
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
65. I realize too late that something is louder than it should be (e.g., TV volume, music).
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
66. I do not notice muscle tension, soreness, or fatigue until it becomes strong.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
67. I avoid hugs or close contact because touch can feel overwhelming.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
68. I avoid being bumped or jostled because it feels too intense or upsetting.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
69. Being lightly touched (e.g., a tap on the shoulder, brushing past someone) feels unpleasant or startling.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
70. I am slow to notice when I am too hot or too cold.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
71. I feel motion-sick, dizzy, or uncomfortable with movement that others tolerate (spinning, swings, car rides).
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true
72. I may not notice a light touch (e.g., a tap on the shoulder) unless it is firm.
Never
Sometimes
Often
Almost always
73. Strong smells (perfume, cleaning products, food odors) quickly make me feel nauseated, irritated, or overwhelmed.
Never true for me
Sometimes true
Often true
Almost always true