Tactile

The Touch Sensory System (the sense of Touch)

We all experience touch all the time, whether it be the touch of the clothes we are wearing, the touch of the chair we are sitting on or the touch we experience when someone cuddles us. Touch is important for social development. It also helps us to assess the environment we are in, for example, determining whether an object hot or cold and reacting accordingly. It also allows us to feel pain.

The skin is the biggest and most sensitive organ of the body and being under or over-sensitive to touch is one of the most common sensory difficulties. The ability to process tactile input is very important as it enables children to be able to regulate their behaviour, maintain attention and concentration so that they can play and learn, and engage and participate in functional activities and tasks.

Tactile Sensitivity Difficulties with a sense of touch

Some children experience difficulty with processing the tactile information they encounter in everyday life. This may cause them to withdraw from or avoid certain tactile experiences. Even the most basic touch experiences may be unpleasant or even painful.

Hypersensitivity

Some children are very sensitive to being touched. Touch can be painful and uncomfortable for them and this can impact on their relationships with others. They may dislike some textures and will only wear certain clothing. Some children can become very aware of clothing seams and labels and can also be resistant to having anything on their hands and feet. Children who are over-sensitive to touch may walk on tiptoes, they may dislike being stroked or tickled and they may appear to overreact when they hurt themselves.

General Tips for hypersensitivity 

• Do not force involvement in any activity that involves touching. Warn a child if you are about to touch them and always approach them from the front.
• Remember that a hug may be painful rather than comforting.
• It is important however to continue to offer opportunities that encourage new touch experiences.
• Give the child time to accept tactile activities and follow their lead.
• Try not to put a child in a situation where they may be anxious that someone will touch them, for example, lining up.
• Introduce new touches on the back of the hand rather than the palm, as this is less sensitive.
• Try using a firm touch rather than a light touch. Some children enjoy deep pressure massage using objects, such as balls, rather than skin to skin.
• Provide long handled tools, such as spoons and mashers in sand and brushes and rollers in paint. In this way, a child can explore a range of activities without having to touch the sensory material.

Hyposensitivity 

Other children are under-sensitive to touch and are unaware if they get messy or spill food around their mouth. These children often feel pain less intensely and may not show any distress if they are ill or hurt. They will sometimes self-harm, such as banging their head, as a means of gaining sensory feedback. Often children who are under-sensitive to touch will hold others tightly before they can realise a sensation of having applied any pressure. These children may wrap themselves in blankets and will reach out to touch everything around them.

General tips for hyposensitivity 

• Introduce different variations of touch, e.g. light and firm as this will help the child learn to recognise different sensations.
• During seated activities, it can help to sit behind the child and press firmly onto their shoulders. A weighted blanket folded over the child’s knees can also help them to sit still and concentrate during focused activities.
• Wrap the child in a thin yoga mat and roll them across the floor.
• Some children like to be laid across a gym ball and rolled backwards and forwards.
• Provide blankets for the child to wrap themselves in whenever they want.
• Give them cushions and soft toys to cuddle tightly.
• Provide squeezy toys, such as stress balls.