Occupational Therapy for Interoception

What is Interoception?

Interoception is one of our 8 Senses. It is the ability to notice and connect internal bodily sensations with emotions- tired, hungry, anxious, excited, sore, etc. Everyone has Interoception but our awareness fluctuates person to person

graphic showing signs of low interoception awareness with thought bubbles of forgets to use sensory tools, frequent meltdowns, difficulty labeling emotions, needs reminders to eat or drink, struggles with toileting

Low Interoceptive Awareness

Low Interoceptive Awareness means someone has a higher threshold before they recognize interoceptive signals. This means they often miss the smaller, building feelings of hunger, toileting, frustration, or sensory overwhelm. This makes self regulation so much harder because large feelings or meltdowns seem to come out of nowhere.

Many neurodivergent individuals experience low Interoceptive Awareness

  • Autism

  • ADHD

  • PDA

  • Sensory Processing Disorder

  • Anxiety

The good news is that research has shown you can improve interoceptive awareness!

graph showing 4 step process of improving interoception step 1 interoceptive awareness assessment 2. guided activities 3. connecting internal body signals to emotions 4. making self advocacy plans

Work with an Occupational Therapist and go through the 4 Step Process to Improving Interoceptive Awareness and Self Regulation

  • Where: In-Home or Virtually

  • Who: Ages 5+ years old

  • Cost: Billed through Insurance

    • In-Network with BCBS PPO and Blue Choice Plans

Goals:

  • Self Regulation

  • Emotional Regulation

  • Self Advocate for Sensory Needs

  • Independence using Sensory tools