Sensory integration disorder. Worried?

First of all, she is THREE. Three year olds throw fits-it is absolutely perfectly normal for them to do so and this daycare should be able to deal with it. If not, that is *their* problem, not the girl's. Also, a toddler's stomach is only as big as their fist so they don't need that much food...maybe she's not eating because she's not hungry? Or she doesn't like the food (is she a picky eater?)? Maybe she's just distracted and would rather play than eat....that's normal too.

Some kids are just more sensitive than others by nature, but often times government daycare/schools will try to turn your child's natural temperment into a disorder. Unless she is having physical troubles because of her sensitivities (loud sounds make her shake, certain textures of food make her vomit, etc) it is not necissary to treat her personal preferances as a disease/disorder-and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I am a perfectly happy and healthy adult, who happens to be of above average intelligence (I've tested above average, I'm not trying to be snobby) but when I was a kid they tried to convince my parents at one point that I had mild autism (there was no "sensory integration disorder" when I was a kid)because I have always had an aversion to loud noises and bright lights. There was and is absolutely nothing wrong with me-it was simply my personal preferances and a daycare that didn't want to have to spend extra energy to accomodate my feelings.

I would recommend that, like my parents did, you find a new daycare that is willing to accept your girlfriend's daughter for who she is.

Don't panic. Sensory integration disorder is a big name for basically a child being overstimulated. She has problems assimilating what she heats, sees, feels, tastes and so on. some people require more stimulation and others require very little and get easily over stimulated. You have to learn your childs needs and be able to meet their needs. therapists can help you a great deal to learn strategies to handle this child. Be aware too that they are teachers not ddevelopmental therepists. they may be aware of normal and abnormal but they are not doctors. Take her to her pediatritian and ask about what to do with this information. Good Luck!

Early intervention is the key. My friend has two children that are on the spectrum, and the older one responded very well to early treatment. He is in a Montessori school now at age four and is doing well. Her younger son is 3 and has been recently diagnosed with autism, but I can see progress that he has made over the months as well.