While most children would relax to a gentle back rub or enjoy a game of tag, some children experience everyday touch differently. They are distressed by seemingly normal sensations and can become agitated by sensations that most people would scarcely notice. If your child has tactile sensitivity, he might have a condition known as Sensory Processing Disorder, or SPD, formerly called sensory integration dysfunction.
Causes
Since no one knows entirely why some children have Sensory Processing Disorder, the cause is formally considered idiopathic, meaning "unknown." However, scientists have multiple theories about what could cause sensory integration problems, says Anthony Kane, MD, in an article on MaternityCorner.com. One theory is that children with Sensory Processing Disorder have an abnormality in the cerebellum, the area in the brain that controls sensory motor activity.
Coexisting Disorders
Tactile sensitivity might exist by itself but it most commonly occurs in conjunction with one or more other conditions. Children who have tactile sensitivity often have other problems such as bed-wetting, speech and language problems, trouble with motor coordination and planning, trouble with hand-eye coordination, allergies, repeated ear infections, poor eating, digestion problems, irregular sleep patterns, emotional insecurity and anxiety, according to Kane. Additionally, children with tactile sensitivity often have disorders such as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Down syndrome, bipolar disorder, Fragile X syndrome, dyslexia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and fetal alcohol syndrome, says Kane.
Signs
Many children are sensitive from time to time, but a child who shows hypersensitivity often and dramatically might be diagnosed with tactile sensitivity, says the Family Education Network. Your child may have tactile sensitivity if she: gets upset about being dirty, is fussy about uncomfortable clothing, feels anxious about walking barefoot, is touch avoidant, is sensitive to pain and strongly dislikes grooming activities such as nail clipping and hair washing, according to the Family Education Network.
Assessment
Not all assessments are the same. If you take your child to see a doctor, his assessment will depend on his individual signs and symptoms, says Memorial Hospital's Outpatient Therapy Clinic. However, the doctor might conduct standardized tests, make functional observations of your child's performance in various activities and interview family members about your child's behavior.
Treatment
Children with tactile sensitivity are generally treated through therapy with an occupational therapist, according to Kane. An occupational therapist generally works with a child in a sensory-rich environment, sometimes referred to as an "OT gym," guiding the child through structured but fun activities that challenge the child's sensations, according to the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation. Over time, the occupational therapist's goal is to help the child behave in a functional manner in daily life so that he can play with friends and be comfortable while participating in regular activities such as eating, sleeping and going to school.
