THE INFLUENCE OF TOUCH IN CARING FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/2179769210036 Aim: to identify the influence of touching in the process of caring for children with special needs in the perception health professionals. Method: the sample consisted of eight professionals of the Integration Center for Children with Special Needs in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. Results: the content analysis arose the following categories: perceptions of caregivers with regards the influence of touch as a communication tool between the special child and the professional; the perception of the caregivers regarding the influence of touch on the welfare of the child and the perception of the caregiver regarding the influence of touch on the rehabilitation of the special child. Conclusions: the results showed that touch is a tool that influences the well-being of children and is portrayed by being a communication tool that approach the professionals into the children, enabling the creation of a positive bond and favoring the rehabilitation.