Knowledge of boundaries is important for touch for kids to learn as they age. Who they hug, what type of hug and for how long they hug someone needs to be demonstrated and ‘formed’ for them so that they know how to position their arms and their bodies in relation to people that they know and don’t know well or should not be hugging in the first place.
Knowledge of what type and intensity of touch is appropriate or may be likely to happen in different environments is also something to be aware of. It is helpful to include this in social stories E.g. when you are at the doctor, their hands may need to feel your tummy and push down over the area that is sore.
Being in a hospital environment may also result in changes in touch and the who is responsible for managing your normal routines.