The Sound Learning Centre

Call us for a free telephone consultation
020 – 8882 1060

Contact us

---

Select for quick navigation

What they say : Master page > Dyslexia >> Dyspraxia >> ADD/ADHD/Hyper >> Asperger's Syndrome >> Autism >> Developmental Delay >> C.A.P.D. >> Speech & Language >> Sensory Integration >> S.A.D. >>

What you see : Master page > Hearing >> Vision >> Touch >> Smell >> Taste >> Balance / Vestibular >> Physical >> Speech & Language >> Learning >> Behaviour >> Performance >> Emotions >>

What's behind it : Master page > The Senses >> ..Hearing >>> ..Vision >>> ..Touch >>> ..Smell >>> ..Taste >>> Balance / Vestibular >> Proprioception >> The Brain >> Processing >> Reflexes >>

How we help : Master page > Assessments >> Sound therapy >> Light therapy >> Developmental >> Speech & Language >> Outreach programmes >> Training courses >> Open House >> Talks & Presentations >> Client Support >> Glossary >> Resources >>

Next steps : Master page > About us >> F.A.Q. >> Success stories >> Research >> Media coverage >> Open House >> Training courses >> Gift vouchers >> Employment >> Contact us >> Site map >>

Find out the underlying causes of learning, sensory, developmental and emotional difficulties and what you can do
about it.

---

Outreach Programmes:

Scotland

Ireland

Middle East

---

Meet us and learn more about our work.

Our next Open House event in London is on Wednesday 17 September 2008 at 7.30 pm.

Please call us now to reserve your FREE place.

---

Our next SenseAbility course is on Thursday 25 September 2008.

Our next EASIE course is on Thursday 27 November 2008.

Please call us now to reserve your place.

---

Read our Newsletters

(in Adobe Reader PDF format)

Winter 2006

Spring/Summer 2006

Autumn 2006

or call us now for a
FREE printed copy.

---

Job Opportunities

---

The Sound Learning Centre

Call us for a free telephone consultation
020 – 8882 1060

Contact us

You are here: Home / Intro / What you see / Touch

What you see

Touch

Unlike the other four direct senses (hearing, vision, smell and taste) the sense of touch is not located in a specific part of the body, but is spread right across every part of the skin and even inside the body. There are about twenty different types of nerve endings that are the receptors for the sense of touch – the most common being those that sense heat, cold, pain and pressure.

It is rare for the sense of touch to be assessed by a doctor or health professional. It seems that this is something that is simply taken for granted. We come across a large number of clients, however, that display significant over or under-sensitivities in their sense of touch. This may have a profound influence on behaviour and sense of self.

In the first instance you often can get a reasonable evaluation of how the sense of touch is performing by simple observations you can make yourself. These can play a key role in uncovering what may lie behind learning, sensory, developmental or emotional difficulties.

Here we outline some typical behaviours that often are the result of the sense of touch not working properly:

	Does not like to be touched, hugged or kissed.
	Touches things with the back of the hand.
	Is disturbed by labels in clothing.
	Likes to wear loose fitting clothes.
	Does not like to wear socks or shoes.
	Likes to be without any clothes.
	Does not like to wear anything on the head.
	Avoids team sports.
	Has a need to be constantly touched, is clingy.
	Likes to be squeezed, hugged or bitten.
	Likes to play with water.
	Is very fidgety.
	Likes to sleep under heavy covers.
	Likes to wear tight fitting clothes.
	Keeps pulling sleeves down over hands.
	Likes to wear high neck / polo neck sweaters.
	Likes to be under heavy objects.
	Self stimulates at an early age.
	Does not like dirty hands.
	Does not like different textures, like sand, mud, etc.
	Is very still and does not like to move.
	Avoids most head movements.
	Is very cautious when walking or playing.
	Walks on toes.

Each typical behaviour on its own may not be meaningful.  However, where there is a cluster of indicators, possibly across a number of senses, and the person has learning, sensory, developmental or emotional difficulties, these can indicate that one or more of the senses are out of balance.

---

Explore further

Other areas on this website to explore in relation to touch are:

	What's behind it – Touch.
	How we help – Assessments.
	How we help – Developmental.

You will find guidance on what to do next in the Next steps section.

We offer a confidential, no obligation, free telephone consultation – simply call us on 020 – 8882 1060.

---

To print the main section of this page only, click the button:   

| Home || Intro || What they say || What you see || What's behind it || How we help || Next steps || Contact us || Site map |
Last Updated: 06 February 2008 | © 1994 – 2008 The Sound Learning Centre Ltd, 12 The Rise, London, N13 5LE, U.K., tel +44 (0)20 8882 1060, fax +44 (0)20 8882 1040

Registered in England, No. 3146431, Registered Office 13 Station Road, London, N3 2SB