Tactile hypersensitivity

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Tactile hypersensitivity

by Cassi
(St. Louis, MO)

I have a 20 month old son who has always "over-reacted" to things. Recently however, bath time has become a nightmare! He used to love taking baths, but he has in the last month or so hated it. We used to say time for bath and he would run to the bathroom, but not just the mention of a bath starts the process. He will become extremely anxious and freak out. It has bothered me because it isn't like his usual "fit" because he doesn't want to do something, it is shear terror. When he was younger we would take him in the shower with us, but around 1 year of age he started having major anxiety issues if we took him in the shower with us (that was probably the first time I noticed anything weird)

So then today at daycare, the teacher told me that he did the same thing when they were painting with feet. Freaked out with just his shoes being taken off. Once he realized they were not going to make him do it he calmed down some, but was extremely worried about his classmates and started taking them their shoes and socks.

Other things that go along with PSD that he has issues with are:
*As infant did not like to be cuddled or held (I can count on one hand how many times I personally rocked him to sleep as an infant)
*Distressed when diaper is being changed or clothes are being removed
* Does not like being extremely close to people (he does not "freak out" he just moves away quickly)
* Does not like having hair brushed
* Extreme anxiety to messy play - paint, whipped cream
* does not like having dirty hands - any time he gets a piece of dog hair on his hand he runs to one of us and goes ew, ew, ew until we take it off him
* Excessively ticklish
* Overly Distressed about having nails cut - to the point where both my husband and I have to hold him down to get it done.
* very picky eat with strong gag reflex

So I guess what is throwing me off is that he loves shoes and socks. Freaks anytime we take them off. Could this be because he likes the "secure" feeling of the tightness of the shoes and doesn't like the "random" feelings of things touching his feet when he is barefoot?

I guess I am just having a hard time deciding if I am paranoid or if I should be concerned. I feel like a lot of the things on the list could just be that he is 20 months old. But I want to get him the help he needs if he in fact needs it. Any input on anything would be great!

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Tactile hypersensitivity

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20 month old, refusing to walk
by: Anonymous

I have a 20 month old who is refusing to walk (she physically is fine, and an incredible climber) I am thinking after reading other blogs and SPD sites that she must have a hypersensitivity disorder. She too, likes to always have her shoe's and socks on, hates diaper changes, having clothes changed (either on or off), teeth brushed, nails clip, will spit food instantly out if she doesn't like it... So my next step is to call the Ped Dr. and figure out what to do next. Best wishes and good luck to all of you and your children

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You're not paranoid!
by: Anonymous

We have the same issues with my now 8 year old granddaughter. It started a lot younger, mostly with her screaming if you tried to put socks on her. She also hated underwear and tight clothing. Now it is a soap issue or anything that makes her skin feel "smooth". She has major meltdowns when being made to take a bath or shower or even just wash her hands. She will dig and scratch at her hands after she is made to wash them with soap, until they feel "rough" again to her. She will not pick up any finger foods that feel "greasy" to her, like pizza. She will now eat these foods if they are cut up for her and she can eat them with a fork. She will only wear "loose" clothing, and still hates socks and underwear.

She did see an O.T. for a few sessions, but it wasn't covered by insurance. My son and daughter in law were told to treat her at home, by "increasing her sensory diet", and trying to ignore the meltdowns and behaviors that went along with it. She has no diagnosis of Asperger's or any type of autism. She is very bright, talked at a young age and reads above her grade level. Treatment by an O.T. is the only treatment recommended. It is a very tricky and frustrating disorder.

I would have your son evaluated by an OT. The earlier, age wise, treatment is started the better. We waited too long with my granddaughter because we didn't know what we were dealing with. At least you know and he is still young. Good luck!!

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Submitted by: Anonymous

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We have the same issues with my now 8 year old granddaughter. It started a lot younger, mostly with her screaming if you tried to put socks on her. She also hated underwear and tight clothing. Now it is a soap issue or anything that makes her skin feel "smooth". She has major meltdowns when being made to take a bath or shower or even just wash her hands. She will dig and scratch at her hands after she is made to wash them with soap, until they feel "rough" again to her. She will not pick up any finger foods that feel "greasy" to her, like pizza. She will now eat these foods if they are cut up for her and she can eat them with a fork. She will only wear "loose" clothing, and still hates socks and underwear. She did see an O.T. for a few sessions, but it wasn't covered by insurance. My son and daughter in law were told to treat her at home, by "increasing her sensory diet", and trying to ignore the meltdowns and behaviors that went along with it. She has no diagnosis of Asperger's or any type of autism. She is very bright, talked at a young age and reads above her grade level. Treatment by an O.T. is the only treatment recommended. It is a very tricky and frustrating disorder. I would have your son evaluated by an OT. The earlier, age wise, treatment is started the better. We waited too long with my granddaughter because we didn't know what we were dealing with. At least you know and he is still young. Good luck!!

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Bath time nightmare here too.
by: Anonymous

I have a 13 year old and have dealt with this for years. I have just learned to go with the flow. At the age your children are it is hard for them to completely explain what is wrong with them; my son still has trouble articulating what it is. Many times he will just tell me he doesn't feel right. Showers and baths are bad for my child because he tells me that his skin feels different after being clean, like it is super sensitive. As for working with 'messy' material like play-doh or shaving cream; I know many OTs will want them to touch, but when they are in the middle school setting there isn't an OT present and my son will just use disposable gloves. Saves the day!

Best of luck, I have just learned to work with with and not against him. Currently all he wears are sweatpants.

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my daughter
by: angie

this is my 2 yr old daughter. i am having the same problem with baths and it is horrible. it started like 2 months ago. i cant even wash her face or wipe her with wet wipes when she uses the bathroom without her freakin out now..no one seems to know what to do with the bath situation.. she is being evaluated for Aspergers on the 13th.

she likes her socks and shoes on too.. she wears her princess shoes always.. she wont wear boots or dress shoes. Christmas will be interesting. i just learned to not fight it. who cares if she is wearing sneakers with a dress... one less battle ya know!

good luck and if you figure out the bath thing, please post the idea on here, i can sure use it!!!

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Sounds familiar!
by: Anonymous

Your son's issues sound very much like my son's and he has what they call a mild case of SPD. He had OT for it and it did help a lot. Sounds like your son may need this to help him overcome some of his sensitivities. SPD affects different children in different ways so that could be why he doesn't have a problem with shoes and socks. Get an eval to find out for sure. It could only help! Good luck!

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Tactile hypersensitivity

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