All of us are sensory beings, all of us have sensory preferences.

As adults we can control how we engage in sensory activities – we can chose to avoid or not participate in activities we may find overwhelming, such as spicy food, going to loud parties, fast spinning fairground rides. Children have far less control.

Interoception is one of 7 senses we receive, respond, and interpret.

Interoception is a newly discovered sense.

This is defined as the sense of the internal state of the body. There are little receptors located inside our body, in our organs, muscles, skin and bone. These gather information and send it to our brain. The brain helps us make sense of these messages and enables us to feel things such as hunger, an itch, pain, nausea, body temperature, and need for the bathroom. Additionally, Interoception allows us to feel our emotions.

Interoception is the brain’s ability to interpret the internal state of the body and take action-get yourself a drink or something to eat, go to the toilet or seek help for the pain that has been found in a joint/bone.

Interoception as mentioned is connected to our emotions; fear, excitement, sadness, and anger, as messages from internal organs are letting the child, know how they feel.

Each emotion can feel different in our body. For example, when you are nervous, your heart may be racing, muscles may be tight, you may get sweaty hands. These sensations can let us know how we are feeling.

Sit back-close your eyes, what do you feel inside your body; – heart beating (fast or slow), do you need to go to the toilet? Are your muscles tense or relaxed? Are you hungry or thirsty?

Most of us can feel these sensations and respond appropriately. I.e., get yourself a snack or drink or go to the toilet and then you feel calm or relieved afterwards. This is the Interoception system working. When our Interoception system is working effectively it allows us to act and do something to restore the balance and help us to feel more comfortable.

If someone cannot respond appropriately it may cause;
Flight-panic, worry, fear, anxiety
Fight-rage, anger, frustration, irritation
Freeze-non-responsive, shutdown, detached, anxiety.

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