Interoception Infographic

Explains interoception - the sense of internal body signals like hunger, thirst, temperature and pain - and how differences affect self-regulation.

Interoception is the sense that tells us what is happening inside our bodies - hunger, thirst, pain, temperature, heart rate and more. Many neurodivergent people experience significant differences in interoceptive awareness, which can affect self-care and regulation.

Common experiences

• Difficulty recognising hunger or thirst until extreme
• Not noticing pain or illness until it becomes severe
• Difficulty identifying emotions because they are felt physically
• Challenges with self-regulation because internal cues are unclear

Practical adjustments

Regular scheduled reminders for eating and drinking, body-scan practices, and working with occupational therapists on interoceptive awareness can all help.

Who is this for?

Employers, educators, healthcare professionals, parents and carers, and anyone supporting neurodivergent people in daily life.