This podcast explores sensory needs and how they impact daily life for neurodivergent individuals. They discuss the traditional and lesser-known senses, as well as the challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing difficulties. They emphasize the importance of understanding self-regulation and developing strategies to support individuals. The podcast also discusses the impact of sensory needs on children with introceptive challenges and offers tips on navigating sensory situations.
Understanding and supporting sensory processing needs is crucial for neurodivergent individuals in performing daily activities.
Interception, the sense of the body's internal sensations, plays a significant role in emotional regulation and recognizing emotions for individuals with neurodivergent traits.
Deep dives
Understanding Sensory Processing Needs in Neurodivergent Individuals
This podcast episode explores the varied sensory needs of neurodivergent individuals and highlights how sensory processing plays a crucial role in various aspects of life. It discusses the traditional five senses along with the newer concepts of proprioception, vestibular sense, and interoception. These sensory systems impact emotional regulation, motivation, and communication. Carrie Wilmet, an occupational therapist, emphasizes the importance of understanding and supporting the sensory processing needs of neurodivergent children and teens. She explains that occupational therapists focus on developing motor skills, core muscle strength, coordination, and sensory processing skills to help individuals perform daily activities. The podcast also debunked common myths about sensory processing sensitivities and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing these needs in an affirming and empowering way.
Interoception and Emotional Regulation
The podcast delves into interoception, the sense of the body's internal sensations, and its impact on emotional regulation. Robert Jason Grant, a play therapist, and Kelly Moller, an occupational therapist, provide insights into interoception. They discuss how individuals with neurodivergent traits may struggle with recognizing and identifying emotions due to an impaired interoceptive sense. The podcast highlights the significance of building interoceptive awareness and offering support and accommodations to individuals with hypo or hypersensitivity to interoceptive sensations. Additionally, the podcast examines the concept of alexithymia, the difficulty in recognizing and labeling emotions, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing interoceptive needs in therapeutic and educational settings.
Dispelling Myths and Empowering Sensory Needs
The podcast addresses common misconceptions about sensory processing sensitivities. One prevalent myth is that sensory processing difficulties are not real or do not warrant support. However, the podcast emphasizes that sensory processing differences are valid and can occur as a standalone issue or coexist with other neurodivergent traits. Another myth is that everyone experiences sensory sensitivities, overlooking the fact that some individuals do not have sensory needs or differences. The notion that sensory sensitivities can be resolved through exposure is also addressed, highlighting that accommodations and self-awareness play crucial roles in managing sensory challenges. The episode stresses the importance of dispelling myths, understanding sensory experiences, and adopting a holistic approach to meet the needs of neurodivergent individuals.
Interception, Mental Health, and Neurodivergent Traits
The podcast explores the relationship between interception and various neurodivergent traits, including autism and ADHD. It highlights the research indicating a connection between interception extremes and mental health diagnoses, such as anxiety disorders and depression. The National Institute of Health in the US has recognized interception as a research domain of priority, highlighting its significance. The episode also discusses the challenges faced by individuals who experience intense inner experiences or heightened psychosomatic symptoms, often leading to lack of validation and understanding. The podcast underscores the need for further research and acknowledges that interception plays a crucial role across different neurodivergent traits, impacting mental health and overall well-being.
As we wrap up 2023, we are presenting a series of episodes called Perspectives. Today, we talk about sensory needs. These varied needs impact a wide range of life activities for neurodivergent people. From unique processing needs of the five senses we were all taught in elementary school, to the newer and wider understanding we have of the proprioceptive, vestibular, and interoceptive sensory systems, having an awareness of how these systems impact our daily lives can make a big difference.
For guest bios, or to listen to the full episodes, here are the links:
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