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)

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)

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)

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)
Keeping a diary of an autistic child’s behaviour can help us understand what may be causing or triggering a significant change in their behaviour. We can try making a note of: Number one: Date & time (note patterns by time of day) Number two: Where it happened- the location/environment Number three: What happened immediately before/after the behaviour? Number four: Who was present, any unfamiliar people or visitors? Number five: Any sensory input (loud noises, bright lights, textures) Number six: What did the child do? (e.g. shouting, rocking, withdrawal)

Understanding the triggers behind behaviour in autistic children

Keeping a diary of an autistic child’s behaviour can help us understand what may be causing or triggering a significant change in their behaviour. Start by making note of the following details.

Keeping a diary of an autistic child’s behaviour can help us understand what may be causing or triggering a significant change in their behaviour. Start by making note of the following details.

NADINE (PARENT + PRACTITIONER)

Interoception & emotional regulation in autism

Many autistic children experience differences in interoception, meaning these body signals may feel muted, confusing, or even overwhelming. Activities such as body scans, progressive muscle relaxation, or simple breathing exercises can help children tune into their bodies and make sense of different sensations.

Many autistic children experience differences in interoception, meaning these body signals may feel muted, confusing, or even overwhelming. Activities such as body scans, progressive muscle relaxation, or simple breathing exercises can help children tune into their bodies and make sense of different sensations.

NADINE (PARENT + PRACTITIONER)

Using body scans to build mind-body connection

Developing interoceptive awareness can help a child better recognise and respond to their emotions over time. Here is a simple, step‑by‑step body scan exercise you can try at home to gently strengthen the mind–body connection.

Developing interoceptive awareness can help a child better recognise and respond to their emotions over time. Here is a simple, step‑by‑step body scan exercise you can try at home to gently strengthen the mind–body connection.

NADINE (PARENT + PRACTITIONER)

What is interoception

‘Interoception’ is our ability to notice and make sense of signals coming from inside your body: like hunger, tiredness, or a need for rest. Autistic children may experience and interpret these internal signals differently, which can mean their needs or emotions come through quickly and with intensity.

‘Interoception’ is our ability to notice and make sense of signals coming from inside your body: like hunger, tiredness, or a need for rest. Autistic children may experience and interpret these internal signals differently, which can mean their needs or emotions come through quickly and with intensity.

NADINE (PARENT + PRACTITIONER)

The spoon theory

Autistic children often start the day with a limited amount of energy. When that energy runs low, they may be more likely to experience overwhelm or burnout.

Try noticing (or gently exploring together in ways that suit your child) which activities feel comfortable and which ones are more draining to them. This might be through words, play, visuals, or behaviour cues. Understanding these patterns can help you plan days that better support your child’s needs.

Autistic children often start the day with a limited amount of energy. When that energy runs low, they may be more likely to experience overwhelm or burnout.

Try noticing (or gently exploring together in ways that suit your child) which activities feel comfortable and which ones are more draining to them. This might be through words, play, visuals, or behaviour cues. Understanding these patterns can help you plan days that better support your child’s needs.

Nadine (parent + practitioner)