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Understanding Our Senses

A sense is a physiological system in the body responsible for collecting and transmitting information to the nervous system. This information is processed by the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, allowing the body to interpret and respond to internal and external stimuli.


In addition to our vision (sight), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), auditory (hearing) and tactile (touch) senses, we have senses related to internal sensations and bodily functions. These include proprioception, the vestibular system and interoception.

Proprioception

Proprioception is the sense that allows us to know the position of our body and its parts in space without needing to look. For example, it enables you to touch your right forefinger to your left elbow with your eyes closed, hold an egg without breaking it, and bring a cup of water to your mouth without spilling. Proprioception is essential for coordinating movements, including their force and speed.

Vestibular System

The vestibular sense is crucial for maintaining balance, orientation, and spatial awareness. It involves the inner ear and provides information about movement, gravity, and changes in position. For example, if you close your eyes and tilt forward in your chair, you immediately sense the change in your body's position relative to gravity—this is the vestibular system at work. It also coordinates with vision to help keep your eyes focused while moving.

Interoception

Interoception is the sense that allows us to perceive internal sensations and bodily functions, such as hunger, thirst, heartbeat, and body temperature. It enables us to understand and respond to our body's needs. Interoception encompasses all signals from internal organs, including the cardiovascular system, lungs, gut, bladder, and kidneys.

Much of the processing of these signals occurs subconsciously, maintaining functions like stable blood pressure without our awareness. However, some signals, such as a full bladder, are consciously perceived. Research indicates that our ability to notice internal signals can influence how we manage emotions and our susceptibility to mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.

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Understanding Sensory Processing

Sensory processing, also known as sensory integration, is how we gather information through our senses and make sense of it.

Sensory processing is our brain's way of understanding the world around us and what's happening inside us and deciding whether to react to or ignore this information.

This process is crucial for functioning effectively in daily life and it impacts everything we do, including getting dressed, eating, moving, playing, socialising, learning, and working.

Our senses include sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, and internal body cues, including your body's ability to sense movement, force, and body position; your sense of orientation and balance; and your perception of internal sensations and bodily functions, such as hunger, thirst, heartbeat, and body temperature. We continuously adjust and respond to this information from our senses. Learn more about the senses here.

For some people, sensory processing can be more challenging, triggering a fight-flight-freeze response, which affects their behaviour. However, we are all sensory beings, and we all have a unique sensory profile which impacts our functioning and feelings. 

You can learn more about sensory processing and its evidence base here.

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Understanding Sensory Processing Challenges

We all experience differences in how our brain and body deal with sensory input, but some people's differences make everyday activities hard.

You may also see the terms 'sensory integration difficulties', 'sensory issues', 'sensory processing difficulties' or 'sensory processing disorder' used.

Sensory integration and processing challenges can be divided into two main types:


  • Over- and Under-Reactions to Sensory Input (Sensory Modulation Dysfunction)

  • Difficulties With Planning and Performing Movements (Dyspraxia)

    • Sensory Modulation Dysfunction (Over- and Under-Reactivity)

    This refers to problems with the brain's ability to filter and focus on the sensory information needed for a task. When modulation works well, we can ignore irrelevant sensory input and concentrate on what’s important.

    When an individual is over-responsive or over-sensitive to sensory input, for example, certain textures of food, they will react strongly to encountering that input and will take action to avoid that input.

    When an individual is under-responsive or under-sensitive to a kind of sensory input, for example, movement, they will seek out extra input by, in this example, constantly moving or fidgeting.

    Individuals can be over-sensitive to some sensations and under-sensitive to others. Their reactions can also change based on how they are feeling and the environment. 


    Dyspraxia (Planning and Performing Movements)

    Dyspraxia involves challenges with planning and carrying out movements, which can make it hard for a person to perform coordinated actions.

    Some people may experience challenges in one or both of these areas. There are also specific subtypes within each category. 

    Learn more about the categories of sensory processing challenges here.

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