TPP 488: OT Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco on Tactile Defensiveness & the Nervous System
Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children
How sensations trigger threat responses
Kathryn outlines how unprocessed tactile input leads to alerting, distress, and defensive reactions.
Today’s episode is a deep dive into tactile defensiveness and sensory distress, especially around clothing. My guest is Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco, an occupational therapist who helps kids and families understand their brains and bodies through everyday neuroscience. Kathryn will break down what’s actually happening in the brain and nervous system when children experience tactile defensiveness, and why clothing can feel so overwhelming for some kids. We talk about the role of co-regulation, how parents can help create positive associations with getting dressed, and practical strategies for supporting children in navigating their sensory experiences with more safety and less stress. This episode is a grounding, compassionate look at sensory processing—and a reminder that when we understand what’s underneath the behavior, everything shifts.
About Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco
Kathryn (Katie) Hamlin-Pacheco, M.S., OTR/L, ASDCS, is an occupational therapist, former teacher, author, and founder of the Brain Executive Program. Kathryn is an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS) and holds certifications in Neuroscience for Mental Health Professionals and in Brain Structure and Function: Application to Sensory Integration and Processing. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, where she also worked with the Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program to pursue her desire to be an advocate and leader in pediatric healthcare.
She has shared her work at AOTA’s Inspire Conference (the world’s largest gathering of occupational therapy practitioners!), Sensory Integration Education’s international conference, and at William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education. In addition, Katie has written for OT Practice Magazine, Autism Parenting Magazine, Washington Family Magazine, and Stars & Stripes Magazine. Her book, How to Be a Brain Executive: And Get Sensory Sharp!, was a top Amazon release in two categories.
Things you'll learn from this episode
- How tactile defensiveness reflects a nervous system response rather than behavioral resistance
- Why understanding sensory processing is essential for supporting children with clothing challenges
- How co-regulation helps children feel safe, connected, and more able to tolerate sensory input
- Why play and low-pressure practice can make clothing experiences more manageable
- How creating calm environments and positive associations supports sensory integration over time
- Why sensory health is a vital part of children’s overall well-being
Resources mentioned
- Brain Executive Program (Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco’s website)
- How to Be a Brain Executive: And Get Sensory Sharp! by Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco
- Deb Dana on Befriending Our Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory (Tilt Parenting podcast)
- Dr. Stephen Porges & Karen Onderko on the Safe and Sound Protocol (Tilt Parenting podcast)
- Dr. Mona Delahooke on the Power of Brain-Body Parenting (Tilt Parenting podcast)
- Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids by Dr. Mona Delahooke
- Sensory Processing Differences with Carol Kranowitz (Tilt Parenting podcast)
- The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Differences by Carol Kranowitz
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