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

by Emma Goodall, Charlotte Brownlow

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781787757295
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	03/21/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	461,328
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Dr Emma Goodall is an autistic author, advocate and adjunct research fellowship at the University of Southern Queensland. She runs Healthy Possibilities, a consultancy offering personal life coaching alongside continuing professional development for educators and families and NDIS services (many with a link to interoception). Emma speaks widely on the topic of interoception and is a previously published JKP author.

Dr Charlotte Brownlow is a researcher and Associate Dean of the Graduate Research School at the University of Southern Queensland. Charlotte's research interests focus on diversity and difference, particularly in the area of neurodiversity. Charlotte publishes widely within the field of autism and leads the Neurodiversity research team within the Health and Social Justice research theme in the Centre for Health Research at USQ.

Emma Goodall, PhD, is a Senior Autism Advisor in South Australia and an executive committee member of the Australian Society for Autism Research (ASfAR) as well as an executive committee member for the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network of Australia and New Zealand (ASAN Aus/NZ). Emma has volunteered for an HIV support service, was married and divorced by the age of 22 and has a range of friends across all genders and with a variety of sexualities. As an educator, she understands the damage that bad information can cause in relation to being able to live happily and enjoy one's sexuality. Emma lives in Adelaide, South Australia, with her partner.

Table of Contents

Foreword Wenn Lawson 9

1 What Is Interoception? 15

2 The Development of Interoceptive Abilities in Children 31

3 Interoceptive Atypicality 41

4 Tuning in to Your 'Self' - Developing and Improving Interoception 55

5 Practical Strategies to Manage Feelings 77

6 Practical Strategies to Manage Difficult Emotions 101

References 123

Index 331

Editorial Reviews

This book is essential reading for anyone working with and supporting autistic people. It presents detailed information on interoception, a vital but often neglected part of our understanding of autistic experience. Through this the book challenges unhelpful stereotypes around autistic behaviors. Highly recommended.

Yenn Purkis