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Understanding Interoception: Supporting Students with Autism

By Rute Mendes / Coordinator of Student Services SJASD

Pamela Zary / O.T. Reg. (MB) SJASD

What is Interoception?

Definition

Interoception is the sensory system that helps us notice and understand internal body signals, such as hunger, thirst, pain, and emotions. This system plays a vital role in self-regulation and emotional understanding, allowing individuals to respond appropriately to their body's needs.

Key Interoceptive Signals

  • Heart: Detecting changes in heartbeat to recognize emotions like anxiety or excitement.
  • Stomach: Sensing hunger, fullness, or nausea.
  • Bladder: Noticing the need to urinate.
  • Muscles: Recognizing tension or fatigue.

Why is Interoception Important for Autistic Students?

Self-Regulation and Emotional Understanding

Interoception helps with self-regulation, recognizing bodily needs, and emotional understanding.

Varied Interoceptive Awareness

Autistic students may experience heightened or diminished interoceptive awareness, leading to challenges like toileting issues, anxiety, or sensory overload.

Real-Life Example

For example, a student who struggles to notice the need to use the restroom might have frequent accidents, while another may be overwhelmed by the sensation of needing to go.

Common Interoceptive Challenges

1

Over-responsive

Overwhelmed by body signals

2

Under-responsive

Delayed or muted awareness of needs

3

DiStOrTeD signals

Misinterpreting or not understanding what signals mean to them

Interoceptive challenges can vary widely, but they often fall into these three categories. For example, over-responsive individuals might make frequent trips to the restroom, under-responsive individuals might not notice hunger or fullness until extreme, and those with distorted signals might confuse hunger with nausea.

Building Interoceptive Awareness

1

Notice

Recognize body signals, such as a racing heart or stomach growl.

2

Connect

Understand what those signals mean for the individual, such as feeling anxious or hungry.

3

Regulate

Respond appropriately, such as using a calming strategy or eating that creates internal comfort.

Strategies include using visual charts, mindfulness activities, and consistent routines to help students become more attuned to their body's signals.

Interoception Strategies in Schools

Adaptations for Reduced Awareness

  • Visual charts
  • Scheduled activities

Activities to Enhance Awareness

  • Body checks
  • Focus area experiments
  • Sensory play

The Interoception Curriculum

1

Body

Learning to notice and describe body signals.

2

Emotion

Connecting one's own unique body signals to emotions.

3

Action

Finding appropriate responses to regulate emotions and body states.

This curriculum offers a structured framework for developing mindful self-regulation. It is divided into these three main sections, progressing from basic awareness to complex regulation skills.

Conclusion and Next Steps

1

Recap

Interoception's role in regulation and emotional understanding for autistic students.

2

Call to Action

Incorporate interoceptive strategies into daily interactions.

3

Example

Use language that helps students to identify their feelings and emotions