The 8 Senses
We all know the 5 basic senses: Sight, Hearing, Tactile, Taste and Smell. But we actually have 8. What are the others?
Interoception: internal sense, such as hunger, thirst, pain, etc. Interoception is the ability to register and interpret our own bodily/emotional state. This does not mean that we do not feel it, but that we have difficulty identifying, processing and communicating emotional/body states.
Proprioception: awareness of body position in space and applied force.
Vestibular: sense of movement and balance.
Visual charts: visual cues as cards to identify emotions
Alarms/reminders: to remind people of basic self-care needs, such as eating and drinking
Bracelets such as fitbits, which help control sleep, anxiety, among others.
Breathing and meditation techniques: helps connect mind and body
Incorporating vestibular stimuli: the use of stim toys, trampolines or yoga balls, allows you to regulate the need for bodily stimuli. Yoga is very useful for body awareness, even for children.
Occupational therapy: there are appropriate techniques and scientific methods to help autistic children with interoception difficulties through occupational therapy
Other tools like a water bottle with the necessary daily dose of agua or apps that help us remember basic needs.