Thigmotaxis

This is one of the fun words we encourage nonspeaking individuals to type as we begin their communication and regulation journey. We often start by helping them learn about the neuromotor breakdown they experience that leads to their inability to use speech (motor) or their body movements to be understood.

Our clinical experiences with nonspeaking autistic individuals, paired with the overwhelming research evidencing the motor noise experienced in the sensory and motor systems of these individuals, have challenged traditional thinking about “autistic behaviors”.  We are not only gaining understanding of the connectivity differences of the autistic brain and the ways these differences affect the lived experiences of nonspeakers every day, but we are also becoming more and more aware of the brilliant compensatory strategies they use to bridge the proverbial “disconnect” between their brain and body.  Understanding these intuitive strategies gives us insights into the therapeutic, educational, and social supports we can develop and teach to meet these needs BEFORE they have to expend so much energy to meet them for themselves.

We have observed that most nonspeakers we support (includes those with minimal speech and unreliable speech) tend to rely on tactile contact with a person or thing when they are moving around in their environments. We refer to this as THIGMOTAXIS. This use of an external stimuli can give important information about where someone is in space when they have trouble sensing this (common in autism) and it can decrease their anxiety and fear, while increasing their ability to engage in locomotor activities.

Thigmotaxis is a behavioral response to tactile stimuli, typically referring to a person or organism’s locomotor movement in response to physical contact with people, surfaces, or objects.  We suspect it closes a feedback loop that is lacking in the brain-body connection of our nonspeaking friends and we are pursuing research in this area.  Again, let’s learn to appreciate all of the ways they creatively meet their own need, even before we realize they have the need!

If you love or teach or care for an autistic child or adult with complex communication challenges, begin to notice their thigmotaxic behaviors.  Do they use your body to get where they are trying to go?  Do they often carry a toy, book, or iPad wherever they go?  Do they tend to stay close to walls when exploring an open space? Do they tend to panic when they don’t have or can’t reach the item/person that gives them the input (weight, vibration, pressure, awareness) they are seeking?  You could call it a “preferred item” or “security item”, but it might be way more than that. It may help them feel safe and connected their body.

How might you anticipate and support or accommodate this need for touch (proprioception) in the individual you care for now that you better understand the “why” behind these observable behaviors?  If they have gained access to reliable open communication through typing or spelling, we encourage you to ASK THEM!  If not and  you need ideas, reach out to our team at Optimal ACCESS!  We are here to support you.