Tactile Sense - Interpreting what we touch or feel on our skin

Over responsive

A child who is over responsive to touch may react aggressively or pull back from light or unexpected touch. They may avoid activities which involve a high amount of tactile input such as sports, cookery, messy play (e.g finger painting). They could have a restricted diet due to difficulties with different textures of foods. They may also have an extreme reaction to mild pain.

Under responsive

A child who is under responsive to touch may not notice when someone has touched them, leave their clothes twisted on their body, harm others unintentionally when playing or touch other students and object frequently. They might be more likely to put things in their mouth if not getting the information they need about an object through using their hands to explore it. They may also be unaware of bruises, trips or falls seeming to have a high pain threshold.