Interoception: The Eighth Sensory System

Within the human body lies an important sensory system called interoception. Interoception enables us to experience essential feelings such as hunger, fullness, thirst, itch, pain, body temperature, nausea, need for the bathroom, tickle, physical exertion and sexual arousal. Additionally, interoception allows us to feel our emotions. As with other sensory systems, the interoceptive system can be impacted in individuals with conditions such as autism, trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD and eating disorders. Interoception is a hot topic in research fields, however, up until this point, little has been discussed about interoception in the practical treatment of these conditions.

Interoception: The Eighth Sensory System provides a detailed connection between interoception and common experiences of individuals with these and similar conditons. “Mahler provides research and practical strategies that can be easily implemented across the lifespan to help individuals manage their bodies, emotions and self-regulation” (Brenda Myles, PhD).

The research showing just how important interoception is to many aspects of life is unequivocal. Interoception: The Eighth Sensory delivers an overview of this research and describes the clear link between interoception and important skill areas such as self- awareness, self-regulation, problem solving, social intuition, perspective taking and many more.

Kelly Mahler, MS, OTR/L, is a pediatric occupational therapist in the Central Pennsylvania region. She specializes in the development of self-regulation and social cognition skills. Additionally, Kelly is co-founder of Destination Friendship which is an organization providing fun, community-based opportunities targeted at developing friendship skills in children, adolescents, and teenagers with ASD. Kelly is the author of Hygiene and Related Behaviors for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders: A Fun Curriculum with a Focus on Social Understanding, High-Functioning Autism and Sensory Issues: Practical Solutions for Making Sense of the World, Destination Friendship Developing Social Skills for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders or Other Social Challenges, and Interoception: The Eighth Sensory System. She has presented at numerous national, state and local conferences. Kelly resides with her family in York, PA.