For some, the tactile system of which the skin is the receptor, the reaction to touch may be dysfunctional. Indicators are hypo- or hyper- sensitive and have difficulty discriminating tactile input. The result of hyper-sensitivity may be mild irritation to touch input to extreme responses finding touch completely unbearable.
Typically, the problem is not in touching others or objects but in being the recipient of touch. Behavior issues in children appear as they may not be able to tolerate their hair being combed, cut or washed, tags in clothing, nail cutting, being touched by others, etc.
Their response to touch, if they perceive it as noxious, includes anxiety, aggression, inflexibility, refusal to participate in activities, avoidance of others and controlling. Constantly feeling threatened, experiencing the fight or flight response is very exhausting, interferes with social activity as well as attention in the academic setting.
Hypo-sensitivity tends to not respond to input unless it is deep or intense, therefore, may not be responding or orienting to input appropriately.
Their “intersensory” system does not provide them with the adequate feedback which in turn significantly impairs body awareness and motor planning abilities.
Discrimination of tactile input difficulties is not in detecting touch, rather determining the features of what they are touching. Difficulty discriminating texture, shape, sharpness affects ones ability to manipulate objects, know what an object is without looking at it (keys in the dark, items in a purse).
Motor planning and body awareness are affected here. A good way to experience what this difficulty feels like is to wear gloves while performing manipulative tasks.
Indicators of hyper-sensitivity to touch:
- Intolerance/irritation due to the feel of seams, tags, rough textures
- Being touched on the head, face and possibly any part of the body
- Dislike being groomed
- Avoidance of touching fabrics, textures or surfaces
- Fussy about clothing #-sleeve length, hats, mittens, shorts, pants, stiffness, etc.
- Negative reaction to hugs, pats, touch in general especially unexpected
- Emotional reaction to light touch (more irritating than deeper touch)
- Avoidance of play with messy characteristics such as sand, finger paint, glue
Indicators of hypo-sensitivity to touch:
- May appear unaware of light touch
- Bumps into furniture, drops things and trips frequently
- Unaware of messy face
- Displays little reaction to bumps, cuts, scrapes, shots
- Hurts others when playing due to not comprehending the pain others experience
- May not realize they've been hurt/cut until they see a bruise or blood
- Put shoes on wrong feet, clothing twisted
Indicators of tactile discrimination issue:
- Difficulty coordinating the use of both hands to perform a task (cutting, clothing closures - snaps, zipping, buttoning)
- Difficulty identifying where being touched without looking
- Put clothing on awkwardly #) clothing twisted/backwards, shirts untucked or buttoned unevenly, messy appearance in general
- Awkward when using utensils, pencil, crayons, scissors, manipulating coins
- Needs to observe self managing buttons, zippers, snaps, etc.
Occupational and physical therapists are typically educated in the identification and treatment of tactile integration difficulties. Good area resources include:
- The Gavras Center
- Mandel Therapy
- Bob Trapani #- a private practice occupational therapist in Skaneateles
Karen Fitzgerald, of Auburn, is a local occupational therapist. She can be reached at kmfot@yahoo.com
Their response to touch, if they perceive it as noxious, includes anxiety, aggression, inflexibility, refusal to participate in activities, avoidance of others and controlling. Constantly feeling threatened, experiencing the fight or flight response is very exhausting, interferes with social activity as well as attention in the academic setting.
Hypo-sensitivity tends to not respond to input unless it is deep or intense, therefore, may not be responding or orienting to input appropriately.
Their “intersensory” system does not provide them with the adequate feedback which in turn significantly impairs body awareness and motor planning abilities.
Discrimination of tactile input difficulties is not in detecting touch, rather determining the features of what they are touching. Difficulty discriminating texture, shape, sharpness affects ones ability to manipulate objects, know what an object is without looking at it (keys in the dark, items in a purse).
Motor planning and body awareness are affected here. A good way to experience what this difficulty feels like is to wear gloves while performing manipulative tasks.
Indicators of hyper-sensitivity to touch:
- Intolerance/irritation due to the feel of seams, tags, rough textures
- Being touched on the head, face and possibly any part of the body
- Dislike being groomed
- Avoidance of touching fabrics, textures or surfaces
- Fussy about clothing #-sleeve length, hats, mittens, shorts, pants, stiffness, etc.
- Negative reaction to hugs, pats, touch in general especially unexpected
- Emotional reaction to light touch (more irritating than deeper touch)
- Avoidance of play with messy characteristics such as sand, finger paint, glue
Indicators of hypo-sensitivity to touch:
- May appear unaware of light touch
- Bumps into furniture, drops things and trips frequently
- Unaware of messy face
- Displays little reaction to bumps, cuts, scrapes, shots
- Hurts others when playing due to not comprehending the pain others experience
- May not realize they've been hurt/cut until they see a bruise or blood
- Put shoes on wrong feet, clothing twisted
Indicators of tactile discrimination issue:
- Difficulty coordinating the use of both hands to perform a task (cutting, clothing closures - snaps, zipping, buttoning)
- Difficulty identifying where being touched without looking
- Put clothing on awkwardly #) clothing twisted/backwards, shirts untucked or buttoned unevenly, messy appearance in general
- Awkward when using utensils, pencil, crayons, scissors, manipulating coins
- Needs to observe self managing buttons, zippers, snaps, etc.
Occupational and physical therapists are typically educated in the identification and treatment of tactile integration difficulties. Good area resources include:
- The Gavras Center
- Mandel Therapy
- Bob Trapani #- a private practice occupational therapist in Skaneateles
Karen Fitzgerald, of Auburn, is a local occupational therapist. She can be reached at kmfot@yahoo.com