How to Help Autistic Children with their Emotions
Ever had a moment where you felt completely overwhelmed, only to realize later that you were just hungry? (I call this hangry). Or found yourself snapping at people, only to realize you really needed a break? That’s interoception at play—or in many cases, not playing nice.
Interoception is the sense that helps us understand what’s going on inside our bodies. And for neurodivergent kids, especially Autistic children, interoception challenges can make emotional regulation feel like trying to read a book in the dark.
So, let’s shine a light on it.
What is Interoception?
Interoception is basically your body’s internal messaging system. It tells you when you’re:
- Hungry
- Thirsty
- Hot or cold
- Needing the bathroom
- Feeling your heart race
But here’s the kicker—it’s also how we connect bodily sensations to emotions. That stomach drop before public speaking? Anxiety. Warm cheeks when someone compliments you? Joy (or embarrassment, depending on the situation).
For most people, these signals are automatic. But for many Autistic individuals, interoception isn’t as clear or reliable, making emotions harder to identify and regulate.
Interoception & Emotions: What’s the Connection?
Think of emotions like a secret code. The clues to decoding them? Body sensations.
- Rapid heartbeat → Anxiety or excitement
- Butterflies in the stomach → Nervousness or anticipation
- Tight chest → Stress or sadness
- Warm face → Embarrassment or happiness
When a child can recognize these signals, they can better regulate their emotions. But when interoception is off? Those signals might be weak, overwhelming, or just plain missing—making emotional regulation a challenge.
Interoception Challenges in Neurodivergent Kids
For many Autistic children, interoception can feel like trying to navigate a map with missing landmarks.
Some kids may:
✔️ Not notice body signals until it’s too late (e.g., only realizing they’re hungry when they’re already extremely dysregulated).
✔️ Struggle to connect sensations with emotions (e.g., not realizing their heart is racing because they’re anxious).
✔️ Experience interoception differently—some may be hypersensitive (noticing every tiny body change), while others may be hyposensitive (barely registering signals at all).
And when you can’t recognize what’s happening inside? Self-advocacy, emotional regulation, and communication take a hit.
How to Build Interoceptive Awareness
The good news? Interoception can be strengthened with the right strategies.
💡 Body Check-Ins → Regularly pausing to ask, What is my body feeling right now? This helps kids tune into their internal cues.
💡 Mindfulness & Breathing Exercises → Slow, intentional breathing can improve body awareness and regulation.
💡 Emotion & Body Mapping → Using visuals to match feelings with physical sensations (e.g., a chart showing what "anxious" feels like in the body).
Therapy can also be a game-changer, especially occupational therapy and sensory-based approaches that focus on body awareness and regulation.
Real-Life Application: What This Looks Like in Action
Let’s take Alex, an Autistic 7-year-old who frequently became dysregulated around lunchtime. His parents thought it was behavioral—until they realized he wasn’t recognizing his own hunger signals.
By working on body check-ins and a visual hunger scale, Alex learned to notice the early signs of hunger (like a growling stomach) before it escalated into full-body dysregulation.
The result? More self-awareness, fewer moments of distress, and better emotional regulation.
How Parents & SLPs Can Support Interoception Daily
- Narrate body sensations → “Your cheeks are getting warm—do you think you might be feeling excited?”
- Use structured body awareness activities → Yoga, breathing exercises, or movement breaks.
- Offer concrete tools → Visuals, timers for snack reminders, and sensory breaks.
Every small step in interoceptive awareness is a step toward better emotional regulation, self-advocacy, and confidence.
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Let’s help kids understand their emotions, advocate for their needs, and thrive. 💜
