An Overview of Interoception in Adults with Autism

Interoception refers to the internal sense that helps individuals perceive the physiological state of their body. It includes recognizing sensations like hunger, thirst, heartbeat, or pain, and is essential for self-regulation and emotional awareness. 

For many adults with autism, interoception can present challenges that impact daily life in various ways. This can make it harder to detect feelings of discomfort, hunger, or even when they need to rest. 

The Role of Interoception in Autism

Interoception is often referred to as the “eighth sense,” alongside the five traditional senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell), as well as proprioception, vestibular, and exteroception. Difficulties with interoception have been linked to challenges in recognizing and managing stress, which may contribute to autistic burnout.

While these other senses are crucial for interaction with the environment, interoception is vital for internal awareness. It involves the brain’s ability to interpret and respond to signals from the body’s internal systems, such as the digestive system, muscles, and cardiovascular system.

For adults with autism, the processing of interoceptive information may be atypical. Research has shown that individuals with autism may struggle with either heightened or diminished awareness of these bodily sensations. 

This difficulty can lead to misinterpreting internal signals and can manifest in challenges with managing emotional states, self-care, and communication.

How Interoception Affects Daily Life for Adults with Autism

Interoception, or the awareness of internal bodily sensations, plays a critical role in various aspects of daily life, particularly for adults with autism. The challenges associated with interoception can significantly affect emotional regulation, self-care, and social interactions. 

Here are the key areas where interoceptive difficulties can have a profound impact on adults with autism:

Emotional Regulation and Stress Management

One of the significant ways in which interoception impacts adults with autism is through emotional regulation. Many individuals on the spectrum may have a delayed or inaccurate sense of physical sensations related to stress, such as a racing heart or shallow breathing. 

Since these sensations often signal emotional responses, it can be difficult for adults with autism to recognize when they are becoming anxious, angry, or overwhelmed.

This misinterpretation can lead to emotional dysregulation, making it more challenging to manage these emotions. Without the awareness of bodily cues that indicate a shift in emotional states, it may be harder to employ coping strategies like deep breathing or mindfulness.

Self-Care and Health Management

Interoception also plays a vital role in self-care. For example, many adults with autism may have difficulty recognizing physical sensations like hunger, fatigue, or the need to use the restroom. Without these crucial cues, it becomes easy to neglect self-care needs, leading to issues like poor nutrition, dehydration, or inadequate sleep.

Additionally, the inability to recognize the internal signs of illness or pain can make it harder for individuals with autism to identify when they are unwell. This might lead to underreporting of health issues or mismanagement of chronic conditions.

interoception in adults with autism

Social Interactions and Self-Awareness

Social interactions often rely on a person’s ability to monitor and interpret both their own physical state and the state of others. For adults with autism, difficulties in interoception can interfere with their ability to respond appropriately to both internal feelings and external social cues. 

For instance, if they are unaware of the physical signs of stress or discomfort, they may not recognize when they need to leave a social situation or ask for help.

Furthermore, understanding social cues like facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice is already challenging for many individuals with autism. The addition of interoceptive difficulties can complicate these social interactions.

2 Challenges in Interoception for Adults with Autism

Understanding the challenges in interoception for adults with autism requires a closer look at the various factors influencing how individuals perceive and respond to bodily sensations. These difficulties can be complex, with sensory sensitivities and co-occurring conditions often complicating an individual’s awareness of their internal state. 

That said, here are some of the key challenges faced by adults with autism about interoception:

Sensory Processing Differences

Adults with autism often experience differences in sensory processing, including hyper- and hypo-sensitivity to various sensory inputs. Interoception can be similarly affected by these sensory sensitivities.

interoception in adults with autism

On the other hand, those with under-sensitivity might fail to recognize when they are hungry, thirsty, or in pain, leading to difficulties in self-care and overall well-being.

Co-occurring Conditions

Many adults with autism also experience co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or sensory processing disorder, which can further complicate interoception. 

For example, individuals with anxiety may be hyper-aware of bodily sensations, which can exacerbate their feelings of unease and make it harder to manage stress.

Similarly, depression can dampen a person’s awareness of bodily sensations, leading to a lack of motivation to engage in self-care or recognize when they need medical attention. These co-occurring conditions can overlap with the challenges of interoception.

Conclusion

Interoception is an essential skill for adults with autism, affecting their ability to self-regulate, manage emotions, and care for themselves. While challenges with interoception are common in this population, there are various strategies available to improve awareness and self-regulation. 

Through mindfulness, sensory integration therapy, the use of technology, and support from caregivers, individuals with autism can enhance their interoceptive abilities and improve their quality of life.

Addressing interoception in autism is an ongoing journey that requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to explore different approaches. At Eagle’s Will ABA, we take a personalized approach to each individual, offering high-quality ABA therapy that is tailored to your needs. 

Our experienced team is dedicated to supporting you every step of the way, helping individuals and families thrive. If you’re looking for autism services in North Carolina, reach out to us today. 

We’re ready to help you navigate this journey with care and expertise. Contact us now to learn more or to schedule your consultation!

Sources:

https://neurodivergentinsights.com/blog/autism-interoception

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/interoception-wellbeing

https://reframingautism.org.au/interoception-knowing-yourself-inside-and-out/

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