Understanding Interoception and Feelings: Helping Children Communicate Their Internal States

Interoception, often referred to as the "eighth sense," is the ability to perceive and understand internal bodily sensations. These sensations include hunger, thirst, pain, temperature, and even emotions like anxiety or excitement. For children, especially those who are neurodivergent or have developmental challenges, understanding and expressing these internal states can be incredibly difficult. This is where parents and educators play an important role in helping children find alternate ways to notice and communicate their feelings and bodily sensations.

Why Interoception Matters

Interoception is essential for self-regulation, emotional awareness, and overall well-being. When children struggle to notice or understand their internal states, it can lead to frustration, meltdowns, or withdrawal. For example,

a child who feels anxious but cannot articulate it might act out in class or become unusually quiet. Recognising and supporting interoceptive awareness can help children better understand their emotions and needs, fostering healthier communication and emotional regulation.

Challenges in Communicating Internal States

Many neurodivergent children, particularly autistic &/ or ADHDhers, may find it challenging to notice and verbalise their internal states. This difficulty can stem from a lack of vocabulary, limited self-awareness, or sensory processing differences. For instance, a child might not recognise that their stomach ache is due to hunger or that their racing heart is a sign of anxiety. Without the tools to communicate these sensations, children may resort to behaviours like tantrums, avoidance, or aggression to express their discomfort.

Alternate Ways to Communicate Internal States

To bridge this gap, parents and educators can introduce creative and accessible methods for children to express their feelings and bodily sensations. Here are some effective strategies:

Body Maps

A body map is a visual representation of the human body where children can indicate where they feel sensations. For example, they might colour their stomach red to show they feel upset or their head blue to indicate a headache. But remember to let them choose the colour so that we aren’t imposing our ideas of how to represent the physical sensation or feeling. This activity not only helps children identify where they feel sensations but also encourages them to connect those sensations with emotions or needs.

Emotion-Themed Picture Books

Reading books that explore emotions and bodily sensations can help children relate to characters and understand their own feelings. Books with vivid illustrations and relatable stories can serve as conversation starters, allowing children to discuss their internal states in a non-threatening way. It can be easier for children to start to talk about internal states and feelings when it relates to a character or a family member or friend rather than to themselves. Once they see that you will listen and not judge it will be easier for them to think about how this might relate to themselves.

Sensory Tools and Visual Aids

Sensory tools like weighted blankets, fidget toys, or stress balls can help children manage their internal states. Pair these tools with visual aids, such as emotion cards or sensory charts, to help children identify and communicate their needs. For example, a child might point to a card with a picture of a red face to show that they are hot or angry.

Role-Playing and Storytelling

Role-playing and storytelling can provide a safe space for children to explore and express their feelings. For instance, you might create a story about a character who feels "butterflies in their stomach" and discuss what that might mean. This approach helps children externalise their feelings and understand that they are not the only one who finds noticing internal states difficult.

Supporting Interoceptive Awareness in Everyday Life

Parents and educators can integrate interoceptive awareness into daily routines by:

• Modelling Emotional Awareness: Share your own feelings and bodily sensations with children. For example, say, "I feel a bit sick in the tummy so I think I’m nervous."

• Validating Feelings: Acknowledge and validate children's emotions, even if they can't fully articulate them. For example, say, "I see you're cranky, you’re stamping your feet” or “ You’re jumping around the place, I think you might need to go to the toilet.”

• Creating a Safe Environment: Encourage open communication and reassure children that it's okay to feel a range of emotions & that it takes time to learn about how our body shows us different sensory & feeling states.

The Long-Term Benefits

Helping children to recognise and communicate their internal states has long-term benefits. It builds their confidence in understanding & responding to their body cues and sensations which improves their emotional regulation and self care skills.

By using tools like body maps and visual communication cards, parents and educators can empower children to express themselves in ways that feel natural and accessible. This not only supports their emotional development but also creates a foundation for lifelong self-awareness and well-being.