Understanding Sensory Systems in Autism: A Conversation with Lisa Poole, Neurodiversity Coach - Part One

In a recent podcast episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Lisa Poole, a Neurodiversity Coach and Trainer from Perspective Coaching, who has a unique and transformative approach to working with neurodivergent individuals. Lisa's insights were both eye-opening and incredibly valuable, especially when it comes to understanding the complexities of sensory systems in autism. In this blog post, I'll share the highlights of our conversation, where Lisa explained the importance of sensory regulation, the often-overlooked *eight* senses, and how these senses affect daily life for neurodivergent individuals.

We all know the classic five senses: touch, taste, sight, smell, and sound. But as Lisa explained, there are actually *eight* senses that play a crucial role in how we process the world around us. For neurodivergent individuals, such as those with autism or ADHD, these senses can be key in understanding and managing sensory input and regulating the nervous system.

According to Lisa, many people are unaware of the three additional senses—**proprioception**, **vestibular sense**, and **interoception**—and how they contribute to both physical and emotional well-being.

Lisa described the vestibular sense as the system responsible for how your head moves through space. Its receptors are located in the inner ear, where the movement of fluid helps you maintain balance. For neurodivergent individuals, this sense can easily become dysregulated, leading to sensations of chaos in busy environments or experiences like motion sickness.

However, rhythmic vestibular input—like rocking, walking, or bouncing on a trampoline—can have a calming effect on the nervous system, which is why you often see children or adults engaging in these types of repetitive movements. It’s a way for them to self-regulate and feel more grounded.

Proprioception refers to the awareness of your body’s position and movement in space. Lisa pointed out that the receptors for this sense are located in every joint and ligament. Neurodivergent individuals may seek out proprioceptive input by engaging in deep pressure activities like yoga, climbing, or even throwing themselves onto sofas. This input helps them feel more grounded and can reduce feelings of disorientation or restlessness.

Simple actions like leaning against a wall or carrying heavy objects can provide the proprioceptive feedback needed to help regulate the nervous system.

Interoception is the sense that allows you to perceive internal signals, such as hunger, thirst, or temperature. For many neurodivergent people, these signals can become jumbled or delayed, leading to challenges in recognizing when they are hungry, thirsty, or even in pain.

Lisa explained that some individuals may not feel hunger until it becomes painful or fail to recognize when they are too hot or cold. Understanding interoception can be life-changing for those who struggle with these internal signals, as it provides insight into why they might not react to their body’s cues in the way neurotypical individuals do.

Beyond physical sensations, Lisa emphasized the importance of recognizing how interoception plays a role in emotional regulation. Many neurodivergent people experience what Lisa called the "traffic jam" effect, where emotions get "stuck" and aren’t processed in a linear way. This can make it difficult for them to identify or express feelings, leading to emotional dysregulation or delayed emotional responses.

Lisa noted that this is particularly common in autism, where individuals may struggle to recognize or name their emotions, a phenomenon known as **alexithymia**. This often leads to misunderstandings and the harmful stereotype that autistic individuals lack empathy, when in fact, their emotional processing may simply be delayed or misaligned.

One of the most important takeaways from my conversation with Lisa was the power of self-awareness and acceptance. For neurodivergent individuals and their families, understanding how sensory systems work can be life-changing. It helps explain behaviors that might otherwise be misunderstood, such as the need for certain repetitive movements or the difficulty in identifying hunger or emotions.

Lisa's approach is deeply compassionate and grounded in the belief that neurodivergent individuals aren’t "broken" or malfunctioning—they simply process the world differently. With the right support and strategies, they can learn to manage their sensory input and improve their overall well-being.

In our discussion, Lisa highlighted the importance of a holistic approach when working with neurodivergent individuals. Whether it’s a child struggling in school, an adult navigating the workplace, or a family member trying to understand their loved one’s needs, recognizing and addressing sensory systems is crucial for creating a supportive environment.

By acknowledging the eight senses and their role in regulating the nervous system, we can better understand the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals and provide more effective strategies for improving their quality of life.

A huge thank you to Lisa Poole, Neurodiversity Coach and Trainer at **Perspective Coaching**, for sharing her invaluable insights on sensory systems and autism. You can learn more about her work at Perspective Coaching and connect with her for further guidance on supporting neurodivergent individuals.

Understanding these aspects can be transformative, and Lisa’s approach provides a refreshing perspective that many families, educators, and employers will find incredibly valuable.

If you want to dive deeper into these topics, you can listen to our full podcast episode here, where Lisa expands on these ideas and offers practical tips for managing sensory input and improving well-being.