Tellington TTouch for you®
A gentle, mindful method of touch for relaxation, stress relief and greater overall well-being – including for autistic people.
The method
The Tellington TTouch for you® method is a holistic approach to well-being, developed by Linda Tellington-Jones. It originally grew out of work with animals; over time it came to be used as a companion approach with people, too, who can experience it as soothing.
This method aims to support people in relaxing, easing stress and enhancing their overall sense of well-being. TTouch for you® is therefore well suited to anyone looking for gentle, natural ways to feel better and reduce stress. At the heart of the TTouch for you® philosophy is a simple principle: “You are perfect just as you are.” This lovely sentence has become my own motto, because every person has the potential to achieve something wonderful with their own strengths and talents.
The foundations of the method
TTouch® (Tellington Touch) stands for a respectful, mindful kind of touch that combines a variety of lifting, stroking and circular movements on the skin.
Alongside breathing, eating and drinking, touch is considered one of our most basic needs. Touch can contribute to physical relaxation, to regulating emotions and to overall well-being. TTouch for you® works with gentle, mindful touches that can support the body’s own sense of well-being and self-regulation.
The touches are applied very gently, either directly on the skin or over clothing – usually while standing or sitting. Many TTouches lend themselves very well to self-help.
Experiences with autistic people
From my experience using TTouches with autistic clients, the method can help people feel calmer and more relaxed afterward. That can be valuable when you consider that people on the spectrum often feel exposed to considerable stress in nearly every area of life. This makes it all the more important to get to know different ways of relaxing. Whether – and how strongly – an effect is felt differs from person to person.
Who is TTouch for you® for?
TTouch for you® may appeal to anyone looking for a gentle, natural way to find calm. It often resonates especially with:
- Children and adolescents on the autism spectrum, as well as other sensitive children
- Parents looking for a mindful way to connect and unwind
- Adults who want to relieve stress and strengthen their body awareness
How this kind of touch is experienced differs from person to person. If you are unsure whether the method fits your situation, I am happy to talk it through with you in an initial conversation.
TTouch for you® is a complementary method for relaxation and well-being. It can offer support, but it is not a healing procedure and does not replace medical, psychotherapeutic or other treatment. For any health-related questions, please speak with your doctor or therapist first.
Tellington® body wraps & other techniques
Alongside the TTouches, TTouch for you® includes further supportive techniques such as Tellington® body wraps and learning courses.
The Tellington® body wraps are elastic bands placed on the body neither too tightly nor too loosely. Tellington® body wraps can improve the body’s sense of itself and strengthen body awareness, which in turn can support trust in one’s own body. Many people on the spectrum feel either too much or too little in their bodies, and this often gives rise to specific behaviors. Working with the body wraps can offer support here as well; how it is experienced varies from one person to the next.
What can you expect from me?
From our first meeting to using the method at home: here is how the process unfolds – step by step, at your own pace, and with the option to reach out to me anytime you have questions.
Getting to know each other
In a 60-minute conversation, I get to know you or your child a little better.
Explanation & hands-on
I explain the method to you clearly and carry out the touches gently, together with you.
Guidance for home
You receive guidance for continuing to use the method at home, or for self-help.
Regular check-ins
We stay in regular contact during this time – please feel free to reach out with any open questions or uncertainties.
Important note
Tellington TTouch for you® is a complementary, body-oriented method for supporting relaxation and well-being. It is not a healing procedure, it does not replace medical, psychotherapeutic or other diagnosis and treatment, and no promises of a cure are made. If you have health concerns, please consult your doctor or therapist. The effects described are based on personal accounts; there is no scientific proof of efficacy in the sense of evidence-based medicine.
Frequently asked questions
Does TTouch for you® cure autism?
No. TTouch for you® is not a medical therapy and not a substitute for treatment. It is a gentle, complementary well-being method that can support calm, relaxation and body awareness in many people. Autism is not an illness that needs to be “cured” – TTouch for you® can be a pleasant companion in everyday life, but it promises no results, and experiences differ from person to person.
Who is TTouch for you® suitable for?
For children and adolescents on the autism spectrum and other sensitive children, for parents looking for a mindful way to connect and unwind, and for adults who want to relieve stress and strengthen their body awareness. If you are unsure whether the method fits your situation, I am happy to talk it through in an initial conversation.
Can I use the exercises at home?
Yes. Part of TTouch for you® consists of simple, mindful touches and exercises that you can gently use at home too – at the pace that feels right for you and your child. For any health-related questions, please speak with your doctor or therapist first.
TTouch for you® pairs well with autism counseling and finding your bearings after the diagnosis – through conversation and practical steps, together we find what feels good for your family.
Would you like to get to know TTouch for you®?
Arrange an initial conversation – I accompany you and your child with gentle, mindful touch that can support calm and self-regulation.