Understanding Interoception and Neuroception to Support Children with Elen Nathan

In this conversation, Tanya and Elen delve into the concepts of interoception and neuroception, exploring how these senses impact our understanding of bodily signals and emotional responses. They discuss the importance of recognizing and responding to internal cues for self-regulation, particularly in neurodivergent individuals. The conversation also highlights the significance of creating safe environments and understanding survival responses, such as fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. Finally, they emphasize the need to find glimmers of joy in everyday life to support emotional well-being and resilience.

• Interoception is our sense of what's happening inside our body.
• Neuroception is our sense of safety and danger.
• Everyone has sensory systems, and understanding them is crucial.
• Self-regulation starts with noticing internal sensations.
• Not everyone receives interoceptive messages reliably.
• Children may struggle with recognizing bodily cues due to various factors.
• Trauma can impact one's ability to sense internal messages.
• Finding glimmers of joy can enhance emotional resilience.
• Practicing self-regulation strategies when calm is more effective.
• Understanding survival responses helps in supporting children.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Overview

03:12 Understanding Interoception and Neuroception

06:36 The Impact of Interoception on Daily Activities

14:29 Challenges and Variations in Interoception

19:13 Being Trauma-Informed in Interoception Work

27:27 Strategies for Developing Interoception Awareness

40:23 Supporting Children in Using Self-Regulation Strategies

50:00 Understanding Neuroception: Our Sense of Safety and Danger

55:41 The Different Threat Responses: Mobilization and Immobilization

01:13:37 Signaling Safety to Children: Tuning into Glimmers and Moments of Joy

You can connect with Elen Nathan here:

Website: https://theplayfulplace.co.nz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePlayfulPlace

⁠⁠Click here to find out more about the Neurodivergent Family Toolbox⁠⁠⁠

If you would like to join the conversation by being a guest on the show, please email Tanya at [e-mail].