Understanding Interoception: The foundation of emotional and physical well-being.

Interoception is crucial for supporting neurodivergent children and those who have experienced trauma. Interoception, or the awareness of internal body signals, forms the foundation for recognizing and regulating emotions. In this blog post, we'll explore what interoception is, its impact on neurodivergent children and those who have experienced trauma, and how parents can recognize interoception difficulties at home.

What is interoception?

Interoception is the ability to sense the internal state of our bodies. This includes recognizing sensations such as hunger, thirst, pain, and emotional changes. It’s our body’s way of telling us what’s going on inside, like feeling butterflies in our stomach when we’re nervous or a racing heart when we’re excited or scared.Neurodivergent children, including those with autism and ADHD, often face challenges with interoception. They may struggle to identify when they’re hungry, thirsty, or tired. This can lead to difficulties in managing their needs and emotions, making daily life more challenging. For example, a child might not realize they need to use the bathroom until it becomes an urgent matter, causing distress and discomfort.

Children who have experienced trauma may also have disrupted interoception. Trauma can affect the brain’s ability to accurately interpret internal signals, leading to confusion and difficulty in recognizing and responding to emotions. These children might have heightened or blunted responses to internal sensations, impacting their ability to self-regulate.How can you recognise interoception difficulties at home?

Identifying interoception difficulties can be challenging, but there are signs parents can look for:- Eating and Drinking Habits: A child might eat too little or too much because they cannot accurately sense hunger or fullness. They might also forget to drink water throughout the day, leading to dehydration.

Bathroom Habits: Children with interoception difficulties may not recognize the need to use the bathroom until it’s urgent, resulting in accidents or discomfort.- Sleep Patterns: Difficulty recognizing tiredness can lead to irregular sleep patterns. A child might not show typical signs of fatigue and might resist bedtime.

Emotional Outbursts: Sudden emotional outbursts or meltdowns can occur because the child isn’t aware of building stress or anxiety until it becomes overwhelming.

Physical Complaints: Frequent physical complaints such as headaches or stomach-aches without a clear cause can be a sign of interoception difficulties. The child might not be able to pinpoint or describe internal discomfort accurately.

Body Awareness: Watch for signs that your child is unaware of their body in space. They might frequently bump into things, have poor posture, or seem clumsy.

Temperature Regulation: Some children may have trouble recognizing when they are too hot or too cold, leading to discomfort and difficulty dressing appropriately for the weather.

Check out the new Interoception Observation chart available here to help you!

Tips for Parents:

Mindfulness Exercises:Incorporate simple mindfulness exercises to help enhance interoception. For instance, a daily body scan where the child takes a few minutes to mentally scan their body from head to toe, noticing any sensations without judgment, can be very beneficial.Routine

Check-ins:Establish regular check-ins with your child about how they’re feeling. Ask them to describe their internal sensations and what those might mean. This helps build awareness and understanding of their body’s signals.

Create a Comfortable Environment:Ensure your home environment is conducive to your child's sensory needs. Soft lighting, comfortable seating, and a quiet space for breaks can help them tune into their internal sensations more effectively.

Use Visual Aids: Visual aids, such as charts and pictures, can help children understand and articulate their internal experiences. A feelings chart with faces showing different emotions can be a great tool to help children identify how they’re feeling.

Model Interoception Awareness: Model interoception awareness by verbalizing your own internal experiences. For example, say, "I notice my heart is beating fast because I’m feeling excited," or "I’m starting to feel hungry, so I think it’s time for a snack."

Understanding and supporting interoception can help children navigate their emotions and physical needs more effectively, leading to improved well-being. By focusing on this foundational skill, parents can help their children develop better self-awareness and emotional regulation. Recognizing and addressing interoception difficulties at home is a crucial step in this process, providing children with the support they need to thrive. 

Kate xx