From Confusion to Clarity: The Hidden World of Interoception and Sensory Processing

Do you ever feel like understanding behaviour can be elusive and challenging? When we don't consider the roles of interoception and sensory processing, we often find ourselves playing a game of "behaviour whack-a-mole," as Robyn Gobbel describes it. We are all familiar with the classic five basic senses: smell, taste, touch, hearing, and sight. However, three additional, lesser-known senses play equally essential roles in subconsciously perceiving and responding to the world around us: interoception, vestibular processing, and proprioception. Let's discuss these three fundamental aspects that might impact your child's daily experiences.

But before we get there, I want to share a story... Growing up, I experienced a mysterious tummy ache that baffled my parents, doctors, and naturopaths alike. I was often so debilitated I couldn't go to school. I vividly remember the homeopathic remedies I had to take, and though well-intentioned, they didn't provide the relief I needed. It wasn't until my adult years that I discovered the actual cause of my discomfort: a paralyzing knot of anxiety that I had unknowingly carried with me and learned to dissociate from through various unhealthy coping strategies.

As I embarked on self-discovery and healing in my thirties, I finally learned what was happening. It was at this time I realized and was identified as neurodivergent, and that opened the door for me to find more neurodivergent (ND) affirming ways to support myself and truly decrease my stress and anxiety. One crucial aspect of this journey was recognizing and understanding my unique sensory needs and listening to the cues from my body - rather than shutting them down or numbing them!

With this in mind, I want to share a few valuable things I've learned about what I like to call interoception-sensory check-ins or "body check-ins" and the significance of providing neurodivergent people with various communication methods beyond verbal communication to communicate their experiences and needs.

Download the Free Infographic

Click here

Sensory processing, which includes the five primary senses plus three extra called interoception, vestibular, and proprioception, influences how we perceive and react to the world around us. But what do these terms mean?

Sensory processing is our ability to receive, organize, and respond to sensory information from our surroundings, such as smell, taste, touch, hearing, sight, and three lesser-known but equally essential senses: interoception, vestibular, and proprioception.

Interoception refers to our ability to sense and understand internal body cues, like hunger, thirst, or the need to use the restroom. It helps us care for our bodies and meet our basic needs. You can imagine the sensation of when you need to go pee. For example, when we feel hungry, it becomes hard to focus on anything else, and we might even become "hangry" – a testament to the power of interoception!

Vestibular processing refers to our sense of balance and spatial orientation. It detects changes in our head position and movement, allowing us to maintain our equilibrium and balance. This system helps us stay upright, understand when we're moving or standing still, and know our body's position relative to the ground. It's closely connected to our inner ear structures. If you've ever experienced vertigo or car sickness, that's your vestibular system at work!

Proprioception, on the other hand, is the sense that provides information about the position and movement of our body parts without relying on vision. It informs us about the location of our limbs, the pressure on our joints, and the muscle tension. Proprioception enables us to coordinate our movements and navigate our surroundings with ease. Many neurodivergent people seek input, like crashing and bumping into things. I like to lean on doorways and walls—haha! 

So, next time you're faced with puzzling behaviours, put on your interoception and sensory processing lenses – and see if you can observe more about their role in your life and your child's daily life experiences.

Understanding and supporting your child in these areas can help better meet their needs, and subsequently, you will likely see a shift in their external behaviour.

Body Check-Ins:

• Over the years, I've discovered the immense value of low-demand body check-ins for myself and my children. This practice has helped us all develop greater awareness of our sensory and body needs, enabling us to access more personalized support. People often comment on how well my children can identify and share their emotions and needs, and I want this for your family, too.
• Neurodivergent individuals often experience unique differences in our ability to process and respond to various sensory information. Because we have diverse brain and nervous system wiring, we generally take in more sensory information about our body and the world around us. This heightened sensitivity is a strength, providing remarkable abilities, such as innovative thinking, increased empathy, creative problem-solving, and intense focus. These qualities offer valuable insights and solutions in many contexts, contributing to a richer, more vibrant society and enhancing human development.
• However, our modern world's fast-paced, demand-driven nature often creates a mismatch for neurodivergent individuals. The constant sensory overload, inflexible schedules, and emphasis on rapid adaptation can make it challenging to thrive. Additionally, as neurodivergent people, we often experience differences in actually being able to sense our body cues and emotions, which is usually a combination of chronic overwhelm and the natural variations in our brain-body connection.
• Over time, body check-ins can help foster body and emotional awareness, improve self-expression, and enhance our ability to advocate for our needs more effectively.  

How to Use the Interoception-Sensory Check-In with Your Child

• Personalize Your Approach: Every child is unique, so please tailor your approach to their preferences. Use the ideas in this check-in tool as a flexible guide, and connect with your child on their level in a way that works for them.
• Keep It Low-Demand: If your child enjoys visuals, gently select an image to guide them through a body check-in. If visuals aren't their preference, you can use simple language and gestures for casual, low-pressure check-ins. Examples: "I notice your hands near your bladder" while placing your hands on your lower belly. You can also model check-ins by sharing your feelings and body awareness, such as "My tummy is rumbling; I'm so hungry!" while placing your hands on your belly and making a hungry facial expression.
• Prioritize Trust and Safety: Always focus on your child's sense of safety and trust. Monitor their energy and stress levels to determine the best time for a check-in or using visual tools. Adapt to your child's needs, which may change from day to day or moment to moment.
• You get to adapt the process based on what works best for you and your child. Remember, developing interoception and sensory awareness is a long-term project. Enjoy this time connecting and exploring together, knowing you can adjust and refine the process as needed!

Try a Body Check-In: Follow these steps for a simple body check-in:

1. Close your eyes and breathe deeply in through your nose and out through your mouth.
2. Start at the top of your head and slowly scan your body down to your toes, noticing how each part feels.
3. If it helps, use visuals to describe different body parts. Focus on one area at a time to avoid overwhelming your child.

Realistic Benefits and Expectations:

Improved Emotional Awareness and Communication: Children can better express their needs and emotions to caring adults in different settings by understanding body signals, which fosters self-awareness and empathy.

Empowerment, Confidence, and Strengthened Connections: Cultivating a deeper understanding of body cues empowers children, boosts their self-confidence, and strengthens their connections with supportive people.

Setting Realistic Expectations and Embracing the Journey: It's essential to have realistic expectations and recognize that developing interoception and sensory awareness is a long-term process. Embrace the journey and appreciate the progress made over time.

Why does this matter?

Understanding our body's signals is crucial because it helps us:

1. Learn more about our feelings and their impact on our well-being.
2. Maintain our energy levels by knowing when to rest or be active.
3. Catch early signs of stress and find ways to relax, restore, or seek help.
4. Be mindful of our body's needs and create personalized self-care routines.
5. Share our needs with supportive people, boosting resilience and self-confidence.
6. By paying attention to our body's signals, we empower ourselves to better care for our physical and emotional well-being, enabling more effective communication and nurturing stronger connections.

Embracing interoception-sensory check-ins and exploring various communication methods can significantly benefit neurodivergent children, empowering them to express their emotions, understand their needs, and build stronger connections with those around them. As we recognize the unique strengths and challenges of neurodivergent individuals, it is crucial to adapt our approach and create supportive environments that cater to their diverse needs.

Remember that developing interoception and sensory awareness is a journey; progress takes time. Be patient and enjoy discovering what works best for your child. 

Download the Free Infographic

Click here 

To help you start this empowering journey, I have created a free infographic filled with practical tips, visual aids, and techniques for implementing interoception-sensory check-ins and exploring alternative communication methods. Download your copy now, and join me in creating a more supportive world for neurodivergent children.