What is interoception?
Interoception is 1 of the 8 senses. It is the sensation of inner bodily functions and physiological needs. These functions and needs include: thirst, hunger, temperature, pain, emotion.
What’s the purpose of interoception?
The purpose interoception serves is to maintain our body and mind in balance. When the body and mind are in a balanced state, they are in homeostasis. Homeostasis supports individuals to self-regulate. For example: A child who is potty-trained knowing when they need to go to the bathroom.
What if you lack interoception?
Lack of interoception is lack of awareness of one’s needs or lack of ability to meet those needs. For example: An individual not drinking liquids and becoming dehydrated. This lack is related to dysfunctions, such as: sensory processing disorders, Autism, anxiety, mood disorders, mental health, eating disorders, addiction, etc.
How to treat/teach interoception:
One of the 1st steps to treating interoception dysfunction is to assess the individual to identify how the dysfunction is affecting their bodily functions. This assessment can be conducted by an occupational therapist through a parent questionnaire. The questionnaire is The Caregiver Questions for Interoceptive Awareness. Once administered and scored, an OT can create activities and provide strategies to teach awareness. The following is a list of activities and strategies:
- Sensory diets
- Zones of Regulation
- A Little Spot book & toy sets
- Social stories
- Mindfulness
