Interoception and Regulation: Teaching Skills of Body Awareness and Supporting Connection with Others

by Emma Goodall, Charlotte Brownlow, Wenn Lawson (Foreword)

There are some things that many of us take for granted - such as knowing when we are hot or cold, feel hungry, or need to go to the toilet. But how do we know these things, and why do some people struggle to recognise them? Interoception - the ability to identify and act on physical sensations inside the body - is crucial to human well-being. It underpins physical developmental milestones, such as toilet-training, as well emotional ones, such as the ability to self-regulate. Research shows that Autism often co-occurs with poor interoceptive sense.

This practical and informative book demystifies interoception and provides tools to help boost interoceptive abilities. It summarises the latest research, explores how interoceptive difficulties can be identified, suggests strategies to manage feelings and emotions, and explains how to support individuals in 'tuning in' to themselves.

Genres: Psychology, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

Published March 21, 2022

Reviews

[Lyra van der Berge]

Good but I expected something more accessible than a literature review tbh.

[RLV]

The first part of this book is very research-heavy. It was interesting and informative, but also long, technical, and a bit repetitive. It felt like I was reading (a very long) literature review from a scientific paper, what with all the cited studies and references. 🙃

I was really looking forward to the practical strategies section, so I was a little disappointed to find that it only contained 11 activities designed to increase mindful body awareness. I haven’t had a chance to try them yet, though, so if they’re effective, I suppose that’s what really matters.

[Krista]

Very informative

[Katelyn]

Very helpful, especially when considering how to communicate what interoception is to parents/caregivers! I wish there was a little more information with the understanding and strategies to try to help the emotional components/connections, but still overall very helpful and a quick read!

[Saraelizabeth]

I wish it had more exercises and activities to build interoception skills, but it was informative and helpful.

[Apple]

I’m a child/family therapist and this is a great primer for learning about interoception and the role it plays in self-management and emotional regulation. I regularly lend it out to parents to support the work I do with their children in the office. I like how simple and straightforward it is. I also like that so much of it is backed by research. Several of the research articles cited by the authors have been valuable in deepening my understanding of the physiological experience of emotions. I wish there was more variety in the exercises. I will be looking at other titles to build my repertoire of activities to do with clients.

[Kelly McPherson]

This book is a must read for those who work with or parent children on the autism spectrum.

[Katie Sacco]

Good information. Unfortunately, nothing I didn’t know already but it was an easy and wonderful read for deepening your knowledge in an easy to digest format.

[Ana, la psicóloga lectora]

2.5

[Zoe]

good