What is tactile hyposensitivity?IN BRIEF
Tactile hyposensitivity occurs when a person is less sensitive to touch. This can mean that they need stronger or more frequent sensations on their skin to feel comfortable. Autistic people are more likely to experience sensory hypersensitivities or hyposensitivities, but this condition can also affect individuals without a specific diagnosis.
Definition of tactile hypersensitivity?
Tactile hyposensitivity is a sensory disorder in which there is little or no response to tactile stimuli, and the brain is unable to interpret information from touch. The other term for tactile hyposensitivity is tactile hypoesthesia. This can lead to difficulties in sensing details, textures, temperatures and pressure.
This can make people feel clumsy when touching others, or make them need to touch people, textures or objects a lot and more strongly or more frequently. They create tactile stimulation to compensate for the lack of information from the senses.
Symptoms of tactile hyposensitivity
- Preference for deep touches (strong)
- Discomfort with light touches
- Reduced perception of temperature on the skin
- Reduced perception of pain on the skin
- A need to touch textures
- Difficulty managing one’s body in space
Consequences of tactile hyposensitivity
The consequences of tactile hyposensitivity vary greatly from one person to the next, depending on age, skills, environment and the tools at their disposal.
- Difficulties with activities of daily life (brushing teeth, bathing)
- Difficulty knowing how to touch others appropriately
- Discomfort
- Risk of injury
What to do if tactile hypersensitivity is a problem?
Respect and choice
It’s very important to respect the person and ask them what they prefer in situations that are uncomfortable for them. For example, in cases of physical contact with other people, the person might prefer to clap a person’s hand rather than shake it, they’re the ones who know what they are comfortable with.
Awareness
The person’s entourage should be informed of the situation and take it into account when there is touching involved. This can make the autistic person’s day-to-day life much more comfortable.
Tools
It’s all about being creative and proactive, identifying the problem and finding ways to lessen its effects. Sensory objects and tools can be very useful in helping people to regulate themselves.
- Weighted blankets (heavy blankets)
- Balls with textures (e.g. prickles)
- Plastic clips
- Textured objects
Sensory-seeking
The brain may seek to create sensations when it is not receiving enough. Tactile sensory-seeking can include all sorts of touches that may seem strange or unusual. If such sensory-seeking behavior is neither inappropriate (e.g., indecent) nor dangerous, preventing it is unnecessary and can even be harmful.
Important
In case of distress, or if the solutions put in place don't work, it's imperative to consult someone who specializes in sensory hypo-sensitivities.
References
Cascio, C. J., Foss-Feig, J. H., Heacock, J. L., Newsom, C. R., & Cowan, R. L. (2012). Diminished sensitivity of the cortical somatosensory system in autism. Human brain mapping, 33(11), 2521-2533. Cette étude a examiné la sensibilité tactile dans le cortex somatosensoriel chez les autistes. Les résultats ont montré une diminution de la sensibilité tactile dans le cortex somatosensoriel chez les participants autistes.
