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51 %u00a9 Elklan Training Limited 2025Elklan Supporting Gestalt Language Processing %u2013 a Total Communication Approach6.4 WHAT IS INTEROCEPTION?The interoceptive sense is one of our %u2018hidden senses%u2019. Information from our internal organs is shared with the brain to help us feel and understand what is going on inside our bodies. One example of this is hunger. Our brains interpret information from our internal physiological systems to process information to indicate we are hungry. Individuals can process, recognise, and make sense of internal sensations differently. One person%u2019s sense of hunger may be different from another person%u2019s sense of hunger. Children and young people with interoception needs may feel a sensation but not process the intended signal. For example, one child might not feel they are hungry and will go without food or reject food when it is offered whereas another may feel the sense of hunger because it feels uncomfortable, but neither associates this sensation with needing to eat.Interoception and communicating body sensationsWhen a child or young person has interoception needs they may not identify or understand what the changes in their body sensations are indicating. They may be hot, yet not feel hot to then remove a jacket. They may not recognise a sensation as indicating they are starting to feel stressed. It is important for all children and young people to communicate if they are hungry, thirsty, need the toilet, feel ill or are in pain and it is important to identify the child or young person with interoception needs,and work out how to support them in a neuro-affirming way.InteroceptionIt is important to ensure there is a priority for communicating immediate needs. If a supporting adult can determine that a child or young person has a body sensation, they can model the communication with objects of reference, signs or symbols. If a child or a young person uses a gestalt to indicate interoception it is important to share the information so their needs can be understood and met.Monitor how the child or young person indicates they are:%u2022 Too hot/cold%u2022 Thirsty%u2022 Hungry%u2022 Tired%u2022 Sick%u2022 In pain.