We all know the five senses taught to us in school: sound, sight, hearing, touch and taste. but there are three missing from this list. These are proprioception, interception, and vestibular. Proprioception is a sense of one’s body in space. Interoception is the sense of what’s going on inside our body. Vestibular has to do with balance and the movement of our body through space. These three senses can have profound implications for autistic people and those dealing with PTSD (these conditions often go hand-in-hand). Let’s explore how these additional senses can affect people.
Proprioception—one’s sense of self in space, can impact those on the autistic spectrum. Oftentimes autistic people lose a sense of themselves in relation to the world. Very often this results in overwhelm and a need to “stim”. Stimming can be behaviors, movements, and sensory seeking to help feel grounded in space. For those dealing with PTSD, symptoms can include dissociation, depersonalization, and a feeling that things are unreal. These folks often need practice in “grounding”, the ability to feel solidly in the present. This can be as simple as planting one’s feet firmly on the ground and breathing.
Interoception also plays a role for autistic people. We experience emotions in our bodies first. Many times those on the autistic spectrum have difficulty with feeling emotions in a bodily sense. In addition, they may have issues recognizing when they are hungry, or even if they are in internal pain. For those suffering from PTSD, there is often a disconnect from their bodies. This isn’t necessarily a conscious choice, but to connect with the body means to feel the emotions trapped inside. “What the mind forgets, the body remembers.” This is why trauma must often be dealt with through bodily expression.
The vestibular sense can impact our balance and motor planning. Also, many times people who like to rock or spin are seeking stimulation in the vestibular realm
These often overlooked senses—proprioception, interception, and vestibular—can greatly impact those dealing with autism and PTSD, and they can also provide real insight into one’s lived experiences.