Interoception and Regulation: Teaching Skills of Body Awareness and Supporting Connection with Others

There are some things that many of us take for granted - such as knowing when we are hot or cold, feel hungry, or need to go to the toilet. But how do we know these things, and why do some people struggle to recognise them? Interoception - the ability to identify and act on physical sensations inside the body - is crucial to human well-being. It underpins physical developmental milestones, such as toilet-training, as well emotional ones, such as the ability to self-regulate. Research shows that Autism often co-occurs with poor interoceptive sense.This practical and informative book demystifies interoception and provides tools to help boost interoceptive abilities. It summarises the latest research, explores how interoceptive difficulties can be identified, suggests strategies to manage feelings and emotions, and explains how to support individuals in 'tuning in' to themselves.
Interoception is commonly known as the eighth sense. It's the mind-body connection, or the ability to recognise and respond to what is happening to us physically. Good interoceptive awareness is vital to physical and emotional regulation, yet it is so instinctive to most of us we don't know how to teach it to those for whom it is a challenge. This practical and enlightening book aims to demystify interoception and explain how to support children and adults who find this aspect of self-awareness difficult.