There's no getting around the fact that sensory integration disorder can cause social problems for your child. Whether other kids see him as aggressive, immature, or disruptive, his inability to play within the parameters set by his peers may cause him to be cast out by them. This is sometimes more painful for the parent than for the child.

Try to follow his lead — if he seems to be upset about the way other children treat him, work with him to improve his abilities and find ways to play more successfully. If he's happy, try to be at peace with that, too; he may be able to find his own way and his own understanding playmates.

Parents have to walk a fine line here between being part of the solution and part of the problem. You want to do what you can to facilitate successful play for your child, but you don't want to go around making apologies for her. You want to put her in situations where she can be successful, but you don't want her to fail and fail again until you find the right combination. Don't force things. The very best you can offer your child is constant, nonjudgmental understanding.