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SEInteroception is one of the eight sensory systems (alongside sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, vestibular, and proprioception) and it refers to the body’s internal sensory system—your ability to sense what’s happening inside your body.
🧠 What Does Interoception Help With?
Interoception allows you to notice:
Hunger or fullness
Thirst
Need to use the washroom
Heart rate changes (e.g., from anxiety or excitement)
Body temperature (hot or cold)
Pain, nausea, or illness
Muscle tension or relaxation
Emotional states (like recognizing when you feel scared, sad, or happy)
It's like having a built-in dashboard that tells you how your body is doing.
--Interoception & Autism / Neurodivergence
Many autistic and neurodivergent people experience interoceptive differences:
Hypersensitivity: Over-aware of internal signals (e.g., minor pain feels overwhelming).
Hyposensitivity: Under-aware of internal cues (e.g., not realizing they need to eat or use the bathroom).
Difficulty linking sensations to emotions: May feel something in the body but not connect it to “I’m anxious” or “I’m excited.”
This can impact:
Emotional regulation
Toileting
Sleep
Self-awareness
Safety awareness (e.g., not realizing they’re overheating)
How Can You Support Interoception?
1. Build Awareness Through Check-Ins:
Use visuals or body charts to label what they’re feeling.
Ask gentle questions like: “Is your tummy hungry or full?” or “Is your heart beating fast?”
2. Create Routines:
Scheduled bathroom breaks, snack times, water reminders.
Consistency helps when signals are hard to detect.
3. Use Body-Based Activities:
Mindfulness, yoga, deep pressure, or movement to improve body connection.
4. Teach Emotional Vocabulary:
Help connect physical sensations with emotional labels (e.g., “When I feel butterflies in my tummy, that might be nervousness.)
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#SupportNotSuppress
#BodyAwareness
#NeurodiversityEducation
#HiddenSenses
@sensoryseeking101
