Going deeper: Interoception and Regulation
May 24, 2023
In the first blog on the theme of interoception, we introduced Interoception as the ability to sense and interpret internal bodily sensations, such as heart rate, breathing, and muscle tension.
We then considered how important interoception awareness is for our mental health, and discovered that 'good' interoception awareness was related to 'good' mental health outcomes in the general population.
Now, let's add another layer - regulation. That elusive state that we all would love to readily attain and maintain!
For our clients with poor interoception awareness, regulation is a big ask. In fact, Kelly Mahler said, "If a person doesn't have that sold IA (interoception awareness) foundation, then what are we left with? We're left with co-regulation".
Co-regulation is the process of helping someone else regulate their emotions and behaviour. Co-regulation also helps us to develop interoception awareness. When we are co-regulated by a trusted adult, we learn to associate different sensations with different emotions. This helps us to better understand our own emotions and to develop strategies for self-regulation down the track.
For example, if a child is feeling overwhelmed by a loud noise, a trusted adult can help them to co-regulate by providing a safe and calming space. The trusted adult can also help the child to identify the physical sensations that they are experiencing, such as a racing heart or sweaty palms. By helping the child to understand their own body, they are helping them to develop interoception awareness.
Co-regulation with neurodiverse children can be supported in the following ways:
- Be a safe and supportive presence. ND children may feel overwhelmed or anxious in new or unfamiliar situations. By being a safe and supportive presence, you can help them to feel calm and secure.
- Pay attention to the child's body language and facial expressions. ND children may not be able to express their emotions verbally. By paying attention to their body language and facial expressions, you can get a sense of how they are feeling.
- Help the child to identify their emotions. Once you have a sense of how the child is feeling, you can help them to identify their emotions. This should be done in a way that is meaningful to the child and may require visual support.
- Offer comfort and support. When a child is feeling overwhelmed or anxious, it is important to offer them comfort and support. You can honour their sensory needs, which may include environmental adaptations and sensory strategies.
- Help the child to develop strategies for self-regulation. Once the child has learned to identify their emotions, you can help them to develop strategies for self-regulation. This should be individualised, sensory-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, AND suitable for their developmental age/ receptive understanding.
- Offer patience and consistency. After all, predictability is a cue for safety (Steven Porges, Polyvagal Theory).
Co-regulation is a powerful tool that can help children to safely connect to their emotions and behaviour, thereby facilitating interoception awareness and ultimately, over time, self-regulation.
So go ahead and support a sensory child today, to smile with their whole body.
Yours in sensory,
Kerry
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