A child who displays tactile defensiveness might miss out on special holiday foods such as Aunt Susie's red Jello salad. Here are ideas to overcome the Jello jitters.
What children display tactile defensiveness? Children whose nervous systems are not fully developed (often premature infants) may avoid the feel of certain textures. Also, fragile X children (often those on the autism spectrum) often do not process sensory input effectively and therefore avoid it or become over stimulated.
Note: Occupational therapists often work with children using Sensory Integration Therapy. That is a very specific, sequential program that should only be set up by a trained professional who knows the specific needs of the child.
The activities in this article are explorative fun that encourage tactile tolerance. They are not intended to represent Seneory Integration Therapy.
How can we increase tolerance for new foods?Let's really explore them! Let's look, smell, touch, and taste them. In fact, let's do a little art.
- Any child is more open to trying a new food if others around him are encouraging. Encouragement is most effective if it is a show, not tell, situation. If Dad is saying Go ahead. You will like that red Jello, but his face is saying that he hates the stuff Junior will not likely want to try it.
On the other hand, if Dad eats the Jello (or whatever food) and shows that he really likes it, Junior will be more encouraged to give it a try.
- How about a little Jello art? This is one time that playing with your food is okay. Okay - you will not want it to happen at the dinner table during the meal, but painting with Jello before or after you eat is a great idea.
Remove several pages with simple pictures (flower, fish, car, shell, ball, etc.) from a coloring book. Remember that you are teaching by example, so be prepared to paint with the jiggly stuff yourself!
If you do not have a suitable coloring book, use a permanent marker to draw simple shapes on heavy construcation paper.
Use your hand to "paint" by spreading Jello across the page. As the Jello melts, the picture will have a "washed" look.
Don't forget you lick your fingers before washing up, another great way to get in touch with a new food. No pun intended.
My next article:
Fragile X Children: Calming Techniques
Note: Activities represented here are ideas. Parents (not the author) are responsible for choosing an appropriate activity for a particular child and for the consequences of that activity.
The copyright of the article Tactile Defensiveness in Special Needs Parenting is owned by Lynn Moore. Permission to republish Tactile Defensiveness must be granted by the author in writing.
