Does your child hate the feel of clothes on his skin? Does he not respond well to your touch? He may have tactile defensiveness. Learn more about this condition here.
The skin, as the biggest organ in the human body, is constantly subjected to tactile input. Tactile refers to anything related to the sense of touch. The bulk of tactile sensations are perceived as neutral by many people. Specific tactile sensory input, on the other hand, may be regarded as unpleasant by individuals, resulting in either willful avoidance or a decrease in behavioural organisation as a consequence.
Sensory integration is the ability of the body to receive, understand, and respond to sensory information from its surroundings. The way a person receives sensory information varies greatly from person to person. Sensory integration deficits will be visible if the response to the sensory input is not functional.
What is tactile defensiveness?
Touch sensitivity is frequently reported by children and adults with sensory processing abnormalities. Sensory integration trained occupational therapists would typically refer to this tactile sensory impairment as “tactile defensiveness.”
They may use the terms “over-responsivity to touch” or “touch sensitivity” interchangeably, although the terms denote the same thing. Tactile sensitivity can be felt by adults as well as youngsters.
Occupational therapists use the term “tactile defensiveness” to characterise hypersensitivity to touch. Individuals who have touch sensitivity frequently report that things that contact their skin bother them more than others.
Food textures, clothes or fabric textures, self-care duties, and getting a hug or kiss can all cause sensitivity. It could also be with specific materials such as paper, pencil, or messy play.
Individuals who are sensitive to touch may respond by avoiding feelings or reacting more strongly than others would expect. For example, they may refuse to wear socks with seams because the seam or texture hurts their skin.
There is no known reason of tactile sensitivity, however it is frequently described by autistic people. Touch pressure and proprioceptive sensory input can aid in the reduction of touch sensitivity.
Tactile defensiveness examples
Someone with “normal” sensory integration may not like having the tag of their t-shirt rub against their neck, but they will be able to go about their day, eventually forgetting about the tag.
The tag may have an impact on someone with tactile defensiveness’s day, restricting his or her capacity to participate in regular duties. This might potentially lead to an all-out meltdown unless the sensory stimulus (the tag) is removed. Even after he or she has been removed, he or she may require more healing time.
Here are some of the symptoms that children and adults who are sensitive to touch may encounter.
- Having a problem with the feel of certain fabrics or garment textures
- Has a dislike for socks, particularly the seams, and has a predilection for the position of sock seams.
- Difficulty putting on shoes
- Avoiding messy materials such as finger paint, glue, and playdough, as well as dry textures such as sand.
- Food texture sensitivity or fussiness, including avoidance of mixed textures (e.g., lasagna) or foods with some lumps (e.g. yoghurt with fruit pieces)
- Aversion to physical contact, such as hugs and/or kisses (and might rub away kisses)
- Difficulty brushing one’s teeth
- Sensory defensiveness when it comes to haircuts and hair brushing
- Touch sensitivity when cutting finger or toenails
Baby hates wearing clothes: What should you do?
Though most children’s aversion to clothes is a phase that passes, in very rare circumstances, children who are physically uncomfortable in their garments may be exhibiting an indication of sensory sensitivity.
How do you soothe and calm a baby who does not like the feel of clothes? Here are some things you can try. When getting dressed …
- Massage the child’s limbs before dressing him or her, or urge them to do so themselves.
- Make sure that labels and tags are removed if they irritate the youngster.
- Wear socks inside out to avoid seam discomfort.
- Assist the child in staying cool.
- Try on garments that are not too tight such as slacks.
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How to Reduce Tactile Defensiveness in Children
Tactile defensiveness can make everyday tasks like taking a bath or sleeping a source of irritation for both parents and children. Unfortunately, when compared to their peers, common sorts of touches are under- or over-stimulating for children with sensory processing issues.
There is some evidence, however, that specific strategies can help children temper their defensive or unpleasant reactions to common stimuli, allowing them to learn to enjoy normal activities.
1. Deep Pressure
Light touches frequently irritate children with sensory processing issues, whereas strong touches can assist a youngster to learn to accept touch. Some children benefit from daily deep pressure massage with unscented lotion. Others prefer firm pressure applied through elastic garments, specially designed pressure vests, or ace bandages used over the clothing.
The key to discovering what works is to try one product or treatment at a time for several weeks before concluding whether or not it works for that child.
2. Weighted items
Weighted items function in the same way that deep pressure massage and compression devices do. A weighted blanket is the most common weighted product, and it helps a child with a sensory processing problem sleep by applying continuous pressure while the youngster is asleep.
Parents should start with roughly five pounds for small children, while older children may require approximately eight pounds for effective treatment. When the kid is mobile, weighted vests that are 10% of the child’s weight can provide comfort.
3. Therapy
Despite the fact that there has been little study into this therapy, many parents of children with sensory processing disorders report success when utilising the Wilbarger Brush Protocol to treat their children.
The Wilbarger Protocol works by applying strong pressure to a child’s body using a soft-bristled brush. The individual performing the therapy begins with the arms and works his or her way down to the feet. Because the face, chest, and hands are too sensitive, they are not treated.
This should take no more than two to three minutes. After brushing, the youngster will be subjected to joint compressions in various parts of the body.
People who use the Wilbarger Protocol must commit to treatment every two hours when the child is awake. After a couple of weeks, parents can consult with the therapist who showed them how to administer the technique to determine if they need to alter the schedule.
Help for Tactile Defensiveness
While deep pressure, weighted products, and the Wilbarger Protocol may help children with tactile defensiveness, it’s critical that parents work with a professional who can demonstrate proper techniques, guide parents in selecting the most effective products, and modify treatment plans to ensure consistent progress.
Consult your child’s paediatrician if you notice that your baby hates wearing clothes and is quite squirmish when being touched. She may assess the child and check for allergies (like eczema) that’s making the child sensitive to some fabric, or she may give your child a diagnosis for tactile defensiveness.
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