Touch
Signs your child is overstimulated by touch
Some people can be overstimulated by touch. They may avoid:
- certain fabrics, labels, clothing, seams in clothing
- being touched
- crowded places
- standing in line
- hair brushing, washing and cutting
- nail clipping
- messy or water play
Supporting a child who’s overstimulated by touch
You can support someone who gets overstimulated by touch by:
- warning them ahead of being touched, such as hair brushing
- doing calming movements such as stretching or chair push-ups ahead of something that involves touch
- reducing other sensory demands during activities where they have to tolerate touch – such as a quiet corner to change for PE
- respecting personal space and finding alternatives to physical support for activities where possible
- adapting clothing, for example a black sweatshirt instead of a black woollen jumper for school, cutting out labels
- using distraction when carrying out unavoidable touch such as nail clipping
Signs your child is under stimulated by touch
Some people are under stimulated by touch. This might look like:
- seeking physical affection
- touching surfaces or fabrics
- getting joy from messy play
- not recognising when their face is covered in food
- wanting blankets and cuddly toys
- not recognising pain when injured
Supporting someone under stimulated by touch
You can support someone under stimulated by touch by:
- letting them know when there are appropriate opportunities to explore with touch
- supporting them to understand social expectations about when touch is not appropriate
- doing calming movements such as stretching or chair push-ups ahead of touch experiences
- offering them touch feedback through supports. This might be leaning against a cupboard or wall or access to fidget toys to help them focus
- make sure they keep their touch support on them when travelling, such as a blanket
- offering sensory supports such as fidget toys, weighted blankets, supportive seating