Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQs here are taken from our UK site tacpac.co.uk
A: Our receivers mostly have difficulty processing information – cognitive or sensory. We try to exclude all other distractions (as far as possible) so that our receivers do not have to work hard trying to focus on too much incoming information. TaACPAC is highly structured, giving the receiver the chance to predict, anticipate and expect to hear, feel and see what comes next. This is very important – to give control back to our receivers, to help them know the territory they are in and to help them know the territory they are going to next. This is why we use “now” and “next” boards. It is to limit the confusion which arises from an environment which can feel chaotic and out of control. The music is highly structured by its nature, and has many repetitions and patterns, and the touch needs to match this exactly. (See Sensory Alignment)
A: Any good communication relies on someone giving information, and someone receiving information. As Tacpac is a partnership of equals, neither “better” than the other at communicating, one partner becomes a giver, and the other a receiver. This order is reversed when the receiver becomes the giver and the giver becomes the receiver. Together you build up trust and reliable communication, using previous sensory vocabulary, with humour, reference points, and sequences which become known and anticipated in order to maintain a calm approach to the patterning we use in every way we can. We like what we know, and so we try to give our receivers what they know.
A: All the information we receive is received through our senses.
In the context of TACPAC, we are making use of our sense of touch and sense of music. We are all born with a sense of these languages, such that universally they are understood, cross culturally and internationally. Sensory communication by passes the necessity of cognitive understanding and processing. If we pay attention to our sensory vocabulary, and how much we actually do communicate non verbally, we will be surprised at how much communication is conveyed this way. We use facial features (smiles, frowns, etc), body language (shaking or nodding heads, “stop” with our hands, raising our shoulders for “I don’t know” ) etc. We can take note of our breathing in various circumstances. (holding breath for uncertainty, even breathing for calm etc) and a host of other instances of what we call “Sensory Vocabulary”. Most of all in TACPAC we use our intuition. As a giver, you will be using this sense to its fullest ability, to “tune into” your receiver’s sensory communication.
A: The TACPAC app is available to download onto any device that accepts apps. You log on to the app with the same log on as for your TACPAC website account. The app is only for the TACPAC music, and you will only have the music for the Sets you have subscribed to.
If your app isn’t showing the pink play button, try tapping on the white space where the button should be. We are working hard to upgrade the app and apologise for any inconvenience during this time. The music is always available on the website for your subscription Sets.
A: No, you can only access the music for the Sets you have subscribed to. The music is available via the TACPAC website or the TACPAC app. The music has our copyright on it, meaning we only have the right to copy. It is illegal to copy the music. This is to safeguard TACPAC.
A: The fee is a subscription that lasts for one year. You will receive a reminder when it is time to renew your subscription.
You will receive a complimentary 3 weeks to Set 1 if you attend one of our training sessions either online or face to face.
A: We recommend talking to the people who know the Receiver best and their OT if they have one. Find out if there is a particular part of the body where they are more likely to tolerate touch and try giving the input there. If they are still indicating that they do not like the tactile input, then just let the music play for that activity without giving the tactile input.
A: If the Receiver consistently communicates that they do not like a particular activity in a Set, it is important to respond to their communication. We recommend just letting the music play for that particular activity. The Giver could just use the object on themselves while the Receiver watches. This means that the overall structure of the Set is not disrupted.
A: There are no fixed rules regarding frequency of TACPAC sessions. Each Set should be worked on for a minimum of 6 months and obviously it needs to be done frequently enough for the Receiver to become familiar with the music and the associated touch. Once a week is a good amount but if you have a Receiver who particularly benefits from TACPAC, it can be delivered more often, e.g., daily.
A: If your Receiver is unable to attend for the whole Set, start at the beginning of the Set and go as far with it as your Receiver is able. Aim to gradually build it up until they are staying for the whole Set but take your time, there is no rush. Don’t be tempted to do a pick and mix of activities from a Set though, stick to the order of activities as laid out on the Set instruction sheet.
A: Body Patterning is the sequence around the body of the touch. It is important that overtime your Receiver begins to anticipate where the next touch is going to be and/or request where on their body they would like the touch.
You can download a Body Pattern record sheet from the TACPAC website.
A: TACPAC is an appropriate specialist intervention for anyone with:
Autism
ADHD
Sensory processing difficulties – this includes those who are sensory seekers and those who show sensory under-responsivities or sensory over-responsivities.
Emotional regulation difficulties – often due to having unmet underlying sensory needs.
Communication difficulties – not exclusively, but especially those that are functioning at early stages of communication development.
Difficulty being able to be reached through conventional communication means – whether this be due to their cognitive level, communication abilities, a sensory impairment, or a lack of understanding of the conventional ‘rules’ of social interaction
Attachment difficulties – those who have not formed a strong bond with their caregiver – this may be due to being removed from birth parent due to being fostered or adopted, not having much physical contact with parents due to requiring medical interventions, e.g., being in an incubator, those who have suffered trauma.
Social, Emotional and mental health needs – those for whom these needs create a barrier which needs to be overcome.
A learning disability – those whose development is delayed for whatever reason.
Challenging behavioural needs – those who communicate a need in a way that challenges other people.
Dementia
Experiences of negative touch e.g., early life prolonged ITU stay.
Primarily, give TACPAC a go. We recommend spending at least 6 months on each Set. This timeframe is beneficial for lots of reasons, not least to find out if TACPAC is going to be a suitable sustainable intervention for your Receiver. If they are reluctant to begin with don’t give up straight away. Introduce it slowly and surely as you would anything new. Keep all the consistencies, as described above, in order to eliminate the variables of resistance. If TACPAC is the right intervention your Receiver will soon demonstrate this to you through their responses. TACPAC isn’t for everyone so don’t pursue it ad infinitum as it will negate what you are trying to achieve.
How to record:
Videoing TACPAC sessions will help you to get the most out of your observations. Being able to watch repeatedly will enable you to:
- Spot any missed wow moments,
- Scrutinise the practise of the Givers,
- Give more detailed breakdown of progress made and future targets,
- Gain a clearer picture of your Receivers’ sensory impairment needs,
- Avoids interrupting the session to make notes.
If you chose to make written observation notes this is a judgement that depends on the needs of the Receiver. You might choose to do this during the session, after each activity, at the end of the session or as soon as possible after a session. If you are making written records during a session have Post -it notes or your recording sheet readily to hand and develop a way of being able to capture your observations as quickly as possible between activities so that the overall TACPAC session is not interrupted or delayed for too long. Try not to lose contact with your Receiver or let your recording detract from being in the TACPAC zone.
Don’t forget to keep a record of the Body Pattern for each activity for every Receiver. Body Pattern record sheets are provided when you attend the TACPAC Essential training.
Remember we recommend at least 6 months on each Set. Make the most of this amount of time by making your observations worthwhile, next step target driven and informative.
A: This is where the 2 huge sensory languages of touch and music converge exactly, matching precisely to give one sensory message. The Giver is the aligner. The Receiver receives one aligned message. This is achieved by keeping to the Beat and matching the beat to the body patterning.
A: With the repetition of each activity, and the sequencing being the same, the Receiver can learn to anticipate when and where the touch will land, which music to expect and which TACPAC partner to look forward to working with. All the parts of the session remain the same each week. When the Receiver knows what to expect and is not surprised by changes, they are likely to feel calm and become more able to communicate.
A: The brain seeks more sensation either to increase the amount reaching the brain or to try and lessen it. This can be achieved by movement e.g., rocking, jumping, fidgeting, fiddling. It can also be achieved by touch: self, others, objects. Those who are sensory seeking may need to engage in excessive tasting, smelling, looking.
A: This is when there is too little sensory information coming into the brain. SUR can lead to appeared lethargy, disinterest, low levels of attention, difficulty in organising physical movements and delayed completion of tasks.
A: Sensory overload is when your five senses — sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste — take in more information than your brain can process. Too much sensory information is coming into our brains. When your brain is overwhelmed by this input, it enters fight, flight, or freeze mode in response to what feels like a crisis, making you feel unsafe or even panicky.
A: Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a condition that affects how your brain processes sensory information (stimuli). Sensory information includes things you see, hear, smell, taste, or touch. SPD can affect all your senses, or just one. SPD usually means you are overly sensitive to stimuli that other people are not. Put very simply the messages received through the senses get muddled up.
https://www.sensoryintegrationeducation.com/pages/what-is-si
A: Your Receiver will receive the best sensory aligned message directly onto skin. However, exposure of skin may be difficult for some Receivers for a variety of reasons. Work with what you have. If all you have is feet and hands you can establish highly effective consistent, repetitive Body Patterns just in hands and feet. Overtime an initially reluctant Receiver may be able to offer more areas of exposed skin if TACPAC is meeting a need for them.
No. When you are communicating with your partner, we need optimum light for eye contact and all the other observations. Dimmed lights indicates closed eyes and sleeping. We don’t want that!
No. There are too many sensory distractions in a sensory room. Your Receivers will have their own expectations of being in a sensory room. They will associate the room with other experiences and not a ‘one on one,’ close communication. Also, a sensory room does not have natural light which is important for TACPAC sessions.
No. The music is specifically composed to match and compliment the Tactile Feeling. The theory of Sensory Alignment is the model of communication we are using, so the matching of these 2 sensory languages is essential. You must use the music composed to match the touch.
No. TACPAC was conceived to take into consideration the variations of progress the Receivers can make. It is deliberate that your choice of which SETs and in which order is flexible to suit the Receivers.
No each Receiver must have their own Sets of objects. These can be kept in a bag or box, clearly named.
All objects are easily obtained either from your own kitchens or cupboards, or from online shopping such as Amazon. Many of the objects are items you can recycle e.g., the squeezy bottle. The objects are inexpensive, chosen for their various textures. You must only use the objects that are prescribed on the TACPAC Instructions.
We are dealing with Sensory Processing, and everyone, no matter what age, processes the senses – efficiently or not. It depends on what STAGE of sensory processing your receiving partner is functioning at, rather than the age. TACPAC is used from birth to elderly.
Yes, you can still do the training. This training gives you the basic principles of TACPAC. Although in a real live situation TACPAC is a one-to-one communication resource, with a bit of imagination you can use the objects on yourself and imagine what it might be like doing this with a TACPAC Partner. You can experience being both the Giver and the Receiver which can be greatly beneficial in understanding how TACPAC may be interpreted by both partners in the sessions.
Once your app has been updated, you will need to login with the same email and new password you have used for the new website.
Your old username/password combination will not work.
We will give full instructions for both Apple and Android shortly
The best way is to have a look before we switch over in January!
If it is too late to do this, please contact us giving your full name and organisation (school)
Password
You won’t need to remember your old password, you just need to enter your email address associated with your TACPAC account and create a new password.
Username
You won’t need to remember your old username, you just need to enter your email address associated with your TACPAC account
We recommend spending at least 6 months on one set. Our sets come in pairs, giving you one year of continuous activity. You’ll know when your receiver is really using the sensory language and vocabulary you have built up over the months, when your records show that they are at the interactive stage. At that point, you can choose to rest TACPAC for a while, or to go on to the next set.
Yes it is. You can’t use any music. The whole point of TACPAC is the alignment of the sensory languages of Touch and Music. (meaning of alignment: makes a balanced and supportive relationship of these two elements to make each one clear, utilised, emphasised and understood. The one needs the other for either to proceed.)
The music has been composed to be aligned with the texture of the objects.
If you use different music, there is no alignment with the touch, and therefore the whole reason for doing a Tacpac session is null and void. You will be doing something – but it won’t be a Tacpac session, with its benefits, insights and communication. Remember TACPAC is about communication, use it to communicate, and you’ll be surprised what it holds for you and your partner. Come on a training to learn how this works.
TACPAC is a sensory communication resource, and as such, the only processing done in a session is sensory.
TACPAC works in a partnership of two people of equal status, and these 2 people learn each other’s sensory likes and dislikes, so that communication can be equal and effective.
The TACPAC giver will understand that good processing takes place with no distractions, with a reliable and predictable partner, and with the close alignment of the touch to the music. This way sensory processing benefits from seeing, hearing and feeling one message which can then go from giver to receiver.
TACPAC has a unique contextual framework, following a coherent and logical scheme of work which guides the practise and choices the TACPAC practitioner makes during planning, executing and assessing their practise.
The unique framework is based on aligning two sensory languages, and learning to communicate through this new language forged by the partnership.
The logical rules and laws of music are combined with the equally logical, instinctive rules and laws of touch to form a methodology which is easy to understand, and is inviting to use since it is familiar to us all. The specific procedures and techniques lend themselves to further research.
Yes it has been specially composed. You can’t use any music. The whole point of Tacpac is the alignment of the sensory languages of Touch and Music. (meaning of alignment: makes a balanced and supportive relationship of these two elements to make each one clear, utilised, emphasised and understood. The one needs the other for either to proceed.)
The music has been composed to be aligned with the texture of the objects.
If you use different music, there is no alignment with the touch, and therefore the whole reason for doing a Tacpac session is null and void. You will be doing something – but it won’t be a Tacpac session, with its benefits, insights and communication. Remember Tacpac is about communication, use it to communicate, and you’ll be surprised what it holds for you and your partner. Come on a training to learn how this works.
TACPAC has a unique contextual framework, following a coherent and logical scheme of work which guides the practise and choices the TACPAC practitioner makes during planning, executing and assessing their practise. The unique framework is based on aligning two sensory languages, and learning to communicate through this new language forged by the partnership. The logical rules and laws of music are combined with the equally logical, instinctive rules and laws of touch to form a methodology which is easy to understand, and is inviting to use since it is familiar to us all. The specific procedures and techniques lend themselves to further research.
TACPAC is a sensory communication resource, and as such, the only processing done in a session is sensory. TACPAC works in a partnership of two people of equal status, and these 2 people learn each other’s sensory likes and dislikes, so that communication can be equal and effective. The TACPAC giver will understand that good processing takes place with no distractions, with a reliable and predictable partner, and with the close alignment of the touch to the music. This way sensory processing benefits from seeing, hearing and feeling one message which can then go from giver to receiver.
Make sure you check your junk mail folder and also add Tacpac to your list of ‘safe’ contacts on your email account. If you still can’t find your password email, please get in touch with office@tacpac.co.uk for a new password. Please note, only the account holder can request a new password.
There could be a number of different problems causing this. Please send your details, including whether you are trying to log in on the app or the website, what device you are using, what the error message is and whether this problem has ever happened before to office@tacpac.co.uk
Unfortunately we do not take payment over the phone. There are three methods of payment – paypal, cheque or bank transfer. You choose the one you want at the checkout on the website. If you choose cheque or bank transfer, you’ll get an invoice by email and you’ll be able to log in and access your Tacpac sets after we receive your payment. Please remember to quote your invoice number or order number on all payments so that we can match it up with your order quickly.
Yes, you just need to download the app onto a phone or tablet and log in, once only, to play all of the TACPAC music tracks without an internet connection.
Tacpac is an electronic product which means that you don’t get anything in the post. Once we’ve received your payment, you’ll get a password by email so that you can log in on the website and on the app to access your Tacpac sets.
You can download the Tacpac app to a phone or tablet and this enables you to play the music without an internet connection. The individual tracks can’t be downloaded.
You can put the app onto a maximum of three phones or tablets and use the same login details to get in. You can also log in to the website on an unlimited number of computers.
No. Since Tacpac is not a physical product, we require payment before giving you access to your sets.
Go to the shop page and add the sets you want to your basket. Then go through to the checkout page. Here you will need to enter your information. Please remember to use a working email address as we will need this to send you your password and any other information which is essential to your account.
Yes, you can add your purchase order number to the form on the checkout page and when you opt to pay by cheque or bank transfer you’ll get an invoice emailed to you with the purchase order number on it. This is for your records only as we don’t use the PO number ourselves.
