Triveni Goswami Vernal
(Registered Special Educator: A64010)

Stims refer to self-stimulatory behaviour that an individual on the spectrum often engages in, to regulate sensory experiences that overwhelm them. Tactile refers to the perception of touch, so tactile stims include all self-stimulatory behaviours associated with the sense of touch.

An individual can be hypersensitive to tactile stimulation, thereby avoiding any kind of tactile stimulation /touch. In comparison, an individual can be hyposensitive to tactile stimulation, thereby seeking various kinds of tactile stimulation /touch/hugs etc.

HYPERSENSITIVITY TO TACTILE STIMULATION: An individual who is hypersensitive to any kind of tactile stimulation, will more often than not be defensive towards or avoid any kind of tactile stimulation. This can translate into behaviours such as –
a) Avoid being touched.
b) Avoiding sticky textures or any kind of messy textures (wet sand/mud/honey/glue etc)
c) Being bothered by tags in the clothing.
d) Not like certain textures of clothing/socks.
e) Challenges with brushing of the teeth
f) Sensitivity towards hair cuts and/or cutting of the finger or toe nails
g) Avoiding various kinds of textures in food (slimy/chunky/lumpy etc)

HYPOSENSITIVITY TO TACTILE STIMULATION: Individuals who are hyposensitive to tactile sensory inputs, often seek out tactile stimulation. They engage in behaviours such as—
a) Wanting to be hugged.
b) Desiring deep pressure, massages.
c) Need to touch various surfaces (could be a particular kind, depending on their choice).
d) Play with various textures (slime, play dough, glue, kinetic sand etc)
e) Individuals with Hyposensitivity to Tactile stimulation, may sometimes engage in inappropriate behaviour, by touching people/surfaces/hugging others etc.

An individual may have hypersensitivity towards one kind of tactile stimulation, and hyposensitivity towards another kind of tactile stimulation. In my next blog, I will share activities for various kinds of Tactile stims.
REFERENCES:
https://autism123.com/what-is-autism/sensory-features/sensory-hyposensitivity/tactile-hyposensitivity/
https://www.griffinot.com/what-is-tactile-defensiveness/
https://wellbeingasd.co.uk/knowledgebase/tactile-stimulation-and-autism/
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Author Triveni Goswami Vernal

Triveni Goswami Vernal is an Autism advocate, registered Special Educator (CRR A64010) and an Independent Researcher. Her areas of interest include Autism, Disability Rights, Gender, Art and Northeast studies. She is a mum to an 12 year old on the Autism Spectrum.

Artwork “The Moon and the Stars”
Artist Kabir Vernal
Acrylic Painting on Ivory Paper