How do you know when you’re hungry? It could be a rumbling in your stomach, an empty feeling in your gut, or a cranky mood that seems to come out of nowhere. That’s your interoceptive sense at work; it's your body’s way of telling you what’s going on inside.
Interoception and autism have a not-so-surprising link. Autistic people may experience these signals more or less intensely than others, creating some specific challenges in caring for their physical and emotional well-being.
Below, we’ll explain the importance of interoceptive stimuli, along with some strategies for navigating these critical challenges.
What is Interoception?
We hear a lot about the main five senses (i.e., touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing), but they aren’t the only ways we gather information. Interoception is another sense that helps us make sense of our internal world.
Interoception is how we sense what’s going on inside our own bodies. Feelings of hunger, internal pain, tension, and dizziness are all things we sense through interoception.
Because many autistic people experience sensory stimuli differently, it should come as no surprise that autism and interoception can often go hand in hand.
Interoception Examples
Interoception covers a wide range of sensations that can occur throughout the body. Some are more subtle than others, but they all provide important clues about our health, safety, satiety, and overall well-being.
Some interoceptive signals include:
- Pain
- Emotions
- Exhaustion or fatigue
- Hunger and thirst
- Heart rate
- Muscle tension
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Bladder fullness
- Temperature
Interoception and Autism: How Things Differ
It’s common for autistic people to experience sensory input more or less intensely than neurotypical people. Because the intensity of feelings like pain, hunger, or nausea can be subjective, it can be difficult to gauge exactly how different these feelings may be.
Interoceptive sensitivity may vary depending on the circumstance. If someone is experiencing autistic hyperfixation, for example, they may completely miss any hunger cues from their body. Interoceptive issues can create unique challenges that lead to confusion, anxiety, and frustration if not addressed.
Executive Functioning
Non-disabled, neurotypical people rely on signals from their bodies to know what it needs and when. Sleepiness, hunger, thirst, and muscle tension tell us when it’s time to sleep, eat, drink, and reposition our bodies. Without these signals, their health would quickly deteriorate.
Autistic people with interoceptive sensory issues may neglect self-care tasks, not for lack of caring, but because they simply cannot feel what is happening in their body at a given moment.
Emotional Awareness
Emotions aren’t locked up in the brain. Our bodies have a part to play as well. Tightness in the chest, nausea, a racing heart—these are all physical symptoms of strong emotions. When someone has interoceptive sensory issues, they may not notice symptoms of strong emotions until they are completely overwhelmed.
Health and Well-Being
Interoceptive issues aren’t exclusive to autism. Many people have had the experience of being so focused on a single task that they forget to eat or drink until they become agitated, dizzy, or fatigued.
The communication pathway between our body and our conscious mind is integral to our overall health. Some psychologists believe troubles with interoception can contribute to eating disorders and other serious mental health conditions.
Beyond just mental health, interoception clues us into feverishness, nausea, and other symptoms of illness.
How to Support Autistic Adults with Interoception Differences
Autistic adults may find that their interoceptive signals are elusive, dull, overwhelming, or inconsistent. Here are some strategies that can help you stay in touch with your body:
- Executive functioning: If you’re someone who struggles to notice feelings like hunger or thirst, timers, notes, and alarms can help keep you feeling your best by reminding you when it’s time to drink some water, eat a meal, or get some rest.
- Emotional awareness: Activities like meditation, journaling, and other sensory regulation techniques can help you feel more in tune with your emotions. They also help alleviate symptoms of stress or anxiety that may go unnoticed.
- Physical health: For some, checking in on visual or tactile cues (i.e., sweat, complexion changes, or clammy hands) can offer useful health information. Interoceptive challenges can be difficult to manage, but there are many ways to navigate them using your, or other people’s, perceptive strengths.
Learn More About Autism in Adults with NeuroNav
Interoceptive differences are a natural part of life in a human body. We all interact with our bodies in unique ways, and a major part of life is learning how. At NeuroNav, we strive to provide you with the accurate, informative advice you need to live safely, comfortably, and happily.
Eligible Californians can take advantage of NeuroNav’s independent facilitation services for the Self-Determination Program (SDP).
See how you can find more freedom and choice in the disability services you receive. Reach out today and schedule your free consultation to see how we can help.
