Interoception & emotional regulation in autism

Interoception is the ability to notice and respond to signals from inside our bodies, such as hunger, tiredness, or stress. Recognising these body cues helps us understand how we are feeling and take action, like eating when we are hungry or resting when we are tired. Developing interoception can support emotional awareness and self-regulation.

Interoception is the ability to notice and respond to signals from inside our bodies, such as hunger, tiredness, or stress. Recognising these body cues helps us understand how we are feeling and take action, like eating when we are hungry or resting when we are tired. Developing interoception can support emotional awareness and self-regulation.

Annie (practitioner)

How social media impacts the developing brain

Research shows that social media can affect the brain’s reward system, especially in developing minds. Each scroll, notification, like or interaction can trigger a release of dopamine, a ‘feel-good’ chemical, which encourages us to keep checking for new content. Over time, this can lead to repetitive checking habits and make it harder to switch off from apps and devices.

Research shows that social media can affect the brain’s reward system, especially in developing minds. Each scroll, notification, like or interaction can trigger a release of dopamine, a ‘feel-good’ chemical, which encourages us to keep checking for new content. Over time, this can lead to repetitive checking habits and make it harder to switch off from apps and devices.

Ruby (practitioner)

Ways to support your autistic child after masking

Autistic children may hide parts of themselves to fit in, which can be exhausting and may lead to increased anxiety. Support them by allowing stimming, quiet time, or movement without judgement. Avoid commenting on eye contact or facial expressions, provide a predictable routine, and allow time to decompress after busy or overwhelming environments.

Autistic children may hide parts of themselves to fit in, which can be exhausting and may lead to increased anxiety. Support them by allowing stimming, quiet time, or movement without judgement. Avoid commenting on eye contact or facial expressions, provide a predictable routine, and allow time to decompress after busy or overwhelming environments.

Nadine (PARENT + PRACTITIONER)

Preparing children for exams with a social story

Social stories can help children understand what to expect and the social rules of situations such as exams. This story explains that exams are a way to show what they know, encourages listening carefully, trying their best, asking for clarification when needed, managing feelings of nervousness with slow breaths, and following instructions throughout the exam.

Social stories can help children understand what to expect and the social rules of situations such as exams. This story explains that exams are a way to show what they know, encourages listening carefully, trying their best, asking for clarification when needed, managing feelings of nervousness with slow breaths, and following instructions throughout the exam.

Nadine (PARENT + PRACTITIONER)

Descriptive commenting during play

When playing with your child, it’s natural to ask lots of questions. But lots of questions can interrupt play and engagement. Instead, try describing what your child is doing, such as “You’re building a very tall tower” or “You’re carefully placing the yellow brick on top.” This supports creativity, confidence, independence and problem-solving while helping children stay focused and enjoy their play.

When playing with your child, it’s natural to ask lots of questions. But lots of questions can interrupt play and engagement. Instead, try describing what your child is doing, such as “You’re building a very tall tower” or “You’re carefully placing the yellow brick on top.” This supports creativity, confidence, independence and problem-solving while helping children stay focused and enjoy their play.

Parent

Building Interoception awareness

Interoception is our ‘inner body sense’, helping us notice signals like a racing heart or muscle tension that can indicate emotions. For many autistic children, these signals can be difficult to recognise. Simple, predictable body-based activities can help children tune into what their bodies are telling them, making emotions easier to notice, understand and manage.

Interoception is our ‘inner body sense’, helping us notice signals like a racing heart or muscle tension that can indicate emotions. For many autistic children, these signals can be difficult to recognise. Simple, predictable body-based activities can help children tune into what their bodies are telling them, making emotions easier to notice, understand and manage.

Nadine (PARENT + PRACTITIONER)

Nature-based mindfulness activity

Try this simple nature mindfulness activity with your child. Using their senses, ask them to notice 5 things they can see, 4 they can touch, 3 they can hear, 2 they can smell, and 1 they can taste. Spending time in nature this way can help children feel calmer, more mindful, and grounded.

Try this simple nature mindfulness activity with your child. Using their senses, ask them to notice 5 things they can see, 4 they can touch, 3 they can hear, 2 they can smell, and 1 they can taste. Spending time in nature this way can help children feel calmer, more mindful, and grounded.

Annie (practitioner)
Encouraging your child to take part in activities they enjoy, where they can practise skills, improve over time, and see their progress, can help build confidence, competence, and self-belief.

Boosting your child’s confidence

Encouraging your child to take part in activities they enjoy, where they can practise skills, improve over time, and see their progress, can help build confidence, competence, and self-belief.

Encouraging your child to take part in activities they enjoy, where they can practise skills, improve over time, and see their progress, can help build confidence, competence, and self-belief.

Annie (practitioner)

Building a sense of belonging

This post highlights the different places and relationships that can help children feel a sense of belonging, including family, friends, school, hobbies, and community groups.

This post highlights the different places and relationships that can help children feel a sense of belonging, including family, friends, school, hobbies, and community groups.

Ruby (practitioner)

How to approach demand avoidance

This post explains that demand avoidance in autistic young people is often linked to anxiety and feeling overwhelmed, not defiance. It suggests approaching tasks in a collaborative way by offering choices, using “we” instead of “you,” avoiding forceful language, and framing instructions as gentle suggestions or challenges.

This post explains that demand avoidance in autistic young people is often linked to anxiety and feeling overwhelmed, not defiance. It suggests approaching tasks in a collaborative way by offering choices, using “we” instead of “you,” avoiding forceful language, and framing instructions as gentle suggestions or challenges.

NADINE (PARENT + PRACTITIONER)