Why don't autistic people like being touched?

Answer 1

They might not liked being touched because they work differently than we do, so what might be a harmless poke, may feel like an attack to them. They also don't like hugs because they want to be left alone to do their own thing, which is to be themselves, and make themselves happy, not have others make them happy.

Answer 2

This is a complex question. Touch varies - firmness, location on the body, and what the person is being touched by (such as a hand, a foot, arms, mouth). Examples of touch include a kiss on the cheek, a hug, a pat on the back, a stroke the full length of the arm, hand-holding. There are differences in what is touching the person with Asperger's Syndrome (AS), such as wetness or dryness, temperature, texture (e.g., hair, cloth, calluses). And, the person doing the touching is important, as is the level of stress before the touching.

People with Asperger's Syndrome often prefer firmer touches as opposed to light or glancing touches. (This does not necessarily mean that they like being touched, but that a firmer one is often less stressful.) So, a firm hug might be less uncomfortable than a gentle tap on the arm. Temple Grandin, a person with autism or AS, invented a squeezing machine that is popular with some other people with autism and AS, because the pressure is comforting.

One person with AS might hate kissing because it is wet, but adore hugs. Another person with AS might dislike being touched on the hands, but tolerate a touch on the arm. Still another person with AS might panic whenever glancingly bumped by a stranger, but delight in contact from close family. And yet another person might dislike touch from someone who feels warmer or colder, but not mind if the person feels the same temperature.

If you know someone with AS, discuss it with the person. If you know a toddler or nonverbal person with AS, if the person seems to react negatively to touch, try varying your form of touch, but at different times, because after stressing the person by the first attempt, all further forms of touch might be unacceptable until the person calms down.

When i was a child and teenager i hated by kissed and hugged but did like rough horseplay eg. play fighting, being thrown around. As an adult i only like being hugged if i have taken a particular liking to a person, which isn't that often and is always a man, and i only like it if it's a tight hug not a light one.

Answer 3

Autistic people have sensory issues - autistic brains are more sensitive to sensory stimulation. Thus even a light touch or the wrong type of touch can feel increadibly uncomfortable to an autistic person. Not all autistic people are against being touched, it's just that they may prefer only to be touched when they know to expect it or only like certain types of touch.

Answer 4

For normal people-they don't mind being finger poked or touched as a joke-because they might do it back. For an autistic person it does feel painful to them. Even though you're not trying to hurt them. They have different senses than a normal person. Some autistic children and adults may not mind being hugged, and some might not like it. Because of the sensory input. Most autistics don't know what your hand feels like (if it feels cold, sweaty or rough, or if you have sharp nails). That is why most people with autism are reluctant to shake people's hands. It can startle an autistic child/adult if they're being touched suddenly or by force. If they're touched by force (grabbed by the arm, taken by the hand, pinned down) they might freak out and even for verbal autistics they might not respond to your questions.