Tactile Sensory Intergration and Overeating

My daughter, now 12, showed some signs of Tactile Sensory Intergration when she was under the age of 5.  Examples:

1.  Would not put on socks and screamed that they were "too bumpy" when put on.

2.  Would become extremely afraid and excited when clouds turned dard.

3.  Did not like to be hugged or give hugs.  She would turn here back to you when you went to hug her.

These signs did go away, but today she is a compulsive eater and over weight.  She has always eaten quite a bit and has always been overweight. While I've always thought she was in some form of deniel, the extra weight does not seem to bother her.  She continues to eat and eat.  I wonder, could there be a connection between sensory integration and overeating.  She does not see herself as overweight.  She wants to wear clothes that are too small and/or not appropriate...ie. a two piece swim suit.  Can the two be connected.  When she looks in the mirror, I truly wonder if she shes herself overweight or not.  I beginning to think that she does not.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Steve,

It's likely that your daughter displays different conditions that in great part are not related. Her SI problems certainly do not produce the sorts of behavior around eating that you are describing. It would be very sensible to obtain a mental health evaluation, but be sure to rule out first that she has an underlying endocrine or metabolic disorder.