Pinnacle Guru · Published archive
Collab Topic -Occupational Therapy
Published
*Definition:Tactile
defensiveness, sometimes referred to as tactile hypersensitivity or tactile sensitivity, is an over responsiveness to tactile input. Children with tactile defensiveness may exhibit a low threshold for registering a tactile sense. For many people, the majority of tactile stimuli are perceived with neutrality.
*causes:Jean Ayres thought tactile hypersensitivity occurs because the brain pays too much attention to light touch and protective sensations from the skin. Instead of listening to the extra information available from the discriminative pathway, the brain keeps paying attention to the light touch and protective sensations.
*symtoms:Individuals who experience touch sensitivity often say they are more bothered by things that touch their skin than others. Sensitivity may occur with food textures, clothing or fabric textures, self-care tasks, and receiving a hug or kiss. Or, it could be with specific items like paper, pencil or messy play.
*Diagnosis:Tactile defensiveness may look like the following with your loved one: Becomes dysregulated, upset, or anxious with light and unexpected touch. Is bothered by certain textures of clothing, or the tag on clothing. Experiences difficulties walking barefoot on certain textures, like sand, grass, or carpet
*Treatment:Treatment for tactile defensiveness often involves a strategic, gradual build up of pressure and varied proprioceptive sensory input to help reduce sensitivity – and ultimately make it easier for the person to navigate the world around them without suffering extreme discomfort or disruptive meltdowns.
#RaiseAgainstAutism
#PinnacleSaysItAll
#PinnacleBloomsNetwork
#1AutismTherapyCentresNetwork
Discuss a useful next step for your child
Speak with Pinnacle about your questions, a child-specific assessment and everyday support.