Tactile Defensiveness

From Autism Parenting Magazine:

According to Kranowitz (2005), the touch system layers our bodies and gives us information about surrounding physical entities. Moreover, it works as the physical barrier between ourselves and the environment. This sense has an imperative role in developing a child’s body awareness, motor planning, and visual perception. Some children react adversely or negatively, or display escape-like behavior on being touched, hugged, or kissed, since they have difficulties in processing sensory information due to a lower functioning tactile system. This behavior is referred to as tactile defensiveness. Due to the atypical functioning of the touch mechanism and neural system, these children are often in the state of “red alert.” They may react by clinging or complaining (fright) to someone, or lashing out (fight) and running away (flight).

Tactile symptoms are among the most commonly reported sensory symptoms described by parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Rogers et al.,2003). Children displaying tactile defensiveness may also exhibit self-stimulating behavior (stimming). Repeated movements such as hand-flapping, body-rocking, hand-gazing, and spinning have been found prevalent in children with developmental disabilities and autism. (Read more.)