It's not just a matter of symantics - for some kids, everything is literal. In parenting several kids with FAS/FAE, I've found that you have to be very careful with your instructions - because they'll be followed!
Children who are tactile defensive can benefit from playing with the three gentle stimulation choices offered on the Visual & Hearing Impaired Activity Center. Children have total control over which stimulus they activate and how long it operates. The soothing nature of the stimulation makes this toy more inviting to a tactile-defensive child then "messy" and "sticky" sensations. A good introduction to tactile stimulation.