The Tactile System Explained
What is a tactile system?
The skin is the largest organ and is constantly receiving tactile input. The tactile system is a necessary part of the sensory system. The tactile sensory system is the technical term used for the awareness and reaction to the feeling of touch throughout the receptors in the skin. The fingertips and lips have sensitive nerve endings that attach to pacinian corpuscles and meissner corpuscles cells. These cells are responsible for feeling vibration and the sensation of light touch.These cells play a large role in how the tactile system interprets touch.
There are two levels to the tactile system:
1.) The first level is where the brain begins interpreting tactile input data gathered from receptors on the skin. The data gathered by the receptors enable the brains sorting proccess. The brain sorts where on the body the touch was experienced and what qualities the touch had (temperature, texture, pressure and other tactile qualities).
2.) The second level occurs after the data is gathered and sorted. The next process take place in the emotional center in the brain. The information they gathered and sorted is then labeled as a pleasant or unpleasant experience. Once labeled, it is then stored in the receptors memory to make the body react accordingly the next time the tactile input is experienced.
Tactile Defensiveness Vs Tactile Seeking:
Tactile defensiveness is when the tactile system is over responsive to tactile input. Individuals with tactile defensiveness may be extremely sensitive to light touch and actively try to avoid it.
Tactile seeking is when the tactile system is under responsive to tactile input. It presents with people who have extremely high pain tolerances and who are seemingly unaware of their body in relation to space.
Tactile Seeking & Defensive Symptoms:
Poorly reacts to unexpected or light touch
Certain textures are upsetting to them when they come in contact with their skin. (Like clothing fabrics or tags on clothes)
Becoming distressed, anxious or unregulated anxiety when engaging in messy play. Or has a constant need to keep hands and face clean.
Difficulties walking barefoot on sand, grass or carpet
Difficulties with wet tactile experiences such as getting hair or face wet, shampoo, lotion, etc
Struggles to adapt in crowded or noisy places
Frequently anxious and overwhelmed
Avoids touching new objects or textures
The desire to touch and feel everything around them
Poor balance and coordination
Struggles with their body awareness. They may regularly bump into things or people
Invasion of other peoples personal space
lack of self awareness when their face is messy from food
Not reacting to stimuli that should feel painful
Excessive jumping, spinning, swinging, crashing, squishing and other similiar movements.
Untreated Tactile Disorders
Delayed fine motor skills
Rigid clothing preferences
Oppositional response to getting dressed, showering or teeth brushing
Impaired physical boundaries
Avoidance of tactile sensory activities needed to develop necessary skills
Tactile defensiveness is not easy to manage. The behaviors that develop from tactile avoidence can delay certain developmental milestones. With the proper tools and techniques, you can help your child learn to cope.
Unintentionally rough during play
Inability to register temperature changes
Always feels the need to make noise to the point of annoyance
Unaware of parent calling their name
Puts their ears up right up against things that make sound as if they cannot hear it
If you are worried that your loved one is experiencing difficulties with their regulating their tactile system, have a conversation with their doctor about getting a referral to have an occupational therapy evaluation. Most parents assume the behaviors they are observing is something their child is going to grow out of or adapt to. I have first hand experience with tactile defensiveness. If I experience light touch at any point during my day I get angry and struggle for hours (sometimes) to regulate myself again. This is something that if dealt with when the tactile system is still developing that can be resolved in a relatively small amount of time.
The activities I am going to recommend next are not meant to be used as a stand alone treatment plan. They are simply ways you can support and encourage your child in learning to cope with their tactile stimuli challenges.
Tactile Defensiveness Activity Ideas:
Below I’ve put together a list of activities you can do with your child to support their tactile system development. My advice would be to start slowly and never force any tactile input that your child resists. If you find that your child has absolutely no tolerance to new tactile experiences, I would advise you to reach out to your family doctor about a referral for an occupational therapy evaluation.
1.) Bins filled with rice, sand, beans or popcorn kernels and colorful dollar tree toys, numbers or letters are a great way for your child to be introduced to dry textures, If your child doesn’t want to use their hands to play in the sensory bin than you can provide them with shovels and cups for playing.
2.) Putting shaving cream on a hard surface and having your child play or finger draw with it.
3.) Playdoh, slime, putty, finger painting
4.) Deep pressure touches like massages, joint compressions, bear hugs
5.) Having your child identify objects with their eyes closed (such as coins, keys, marbles, shapes)
Tactile Seeking Activity Ideas:
1.) Anything that involves jumping. Jumping on a trampoline or even jumping rope
2.) Swinging isn’t just for outside. There are compression swings that you can make or buy that are great vestibular and tactile input for a sensory seeking child.
3.) Weighted blankets or vests, body socks, compression sheets or clothes, carrying around a weighted stuffed animal
4.) Games with lots of movement like tag, red light, green light, hopscotch, homemade obstacle courses, etc
5.) Exercise ball- with adult supervision the child can bounce and roll around on the ball to provide the tactile and vestibular input they are seeking.
