Can't Stand The Feeling Of Paper While Writing (Or Dry Materials)

by Melanie
(Cincinnati, OH)

I am working with a child who is so sensitive to the feel of paper or anything like it with a "dry feel", he says. He uses a transparency paper to put under his hand to write on paper. He is really interested in getting rid of this problem. He would like as many activities as possible that would help him in this area. Do you have any suggestions?

From what I know and suspect, this is directly related to tactile defensiveness. I have actually heard of others who are sensitive to this particular feeling as well. The best and only way I know of to overcome this would be desensitization and sensory integrative therapies such as The Wilbarger Brushing Protocol or The Burpee Method of Buzzing And Brushing. Both of these methods require specialized training and should only be done if you yourself have been trained, or if another OT who has been trained shows you. It also need to be monitored and supervised closely while the program is being used and fine tuned regarding frequency..