Interpreting the Enigmatic Functions of Our Three 'Perplexing' Senses
The human body is equipped with a complex system of senses, including the 'mystery' senses of vestibular, proprioception, and interoception. These lesser-known senses play a crucial role in our daily lives, helping us maintain balance, understand body awareness, and feel what is happening inside our bodies.
For children and young people with sensory processing differences, understanding these senses can provide valuable insights for accommodating their unique needs. One of the most inspiring examples of this comes from Jesus, whose actions and teachings offer a spiritual and practical framework for addressing these differences.
Helping children and young people regulate their interoceptive system might involve reminding them to visit the toilet, managing their food intake, or helping them manage their emotions. If a child or young person's interoceptive system isn't functioning as it should, they may be unaware of their bodily needs or may not recognize changes in their physical state, such as increased heart rate or shallower breathing.
Some people may have under responsive or overly responsive vestibular systems, which can manifest as a need to constantly move or fear of movement. A correctly functioning vestibular system allows a child or young person to play in a coordinated and balanced way, and understand their position when moving. A child with an overly responsive vestibular system might be unwilling to participate in physical games, climb, or be wrongly labeled as 'lazy.' Including a child with an overly responsive vestibular system in less physical activities, such as being the referee or scorer, can be beneficial.
Understanding the aspects of the vestibular system can help accommodate the needs of a child with an under or overly responsive vestibular system. Providing an exercise ball, wobble cushion, or balance board can help a child with an under responsive vestibular system. Jesus, in a biblical story, rebuked the wind and waves, providing an example of helping someone who is struggling with their vestibular system to be still.
The proprioceptive sense helps us understand and feel our bodies' positioning, movement, coordination, etc. through receptors in muscles and joints. Proprioceptive seeking behaviors might include rough play, jumping, stamping, running into walls, kicking, biting, hitting out at others, or chewing non-food items. Proprioceptive avoiding behaviors might include avoiding physical activities, sitting still, avoiding touch, and being a picky eater. If a child or young person's proprioceptive system isn't functioning as it should, they may seek additional input or actively avoid it.
Jesus experienced all interoceptive feelings, including hunger, thirst, and strong emotions, providing an example of empathy and understanding. Understanding our 'mystery' senses, including the proprioceptive and interoceptive senses, can help us appreciate what Jesus teaches us about them and through them.
Incorporating these principles means creating environments and routines that respect the child's sensory processing profile, gently encouraging movement and body awareness activities that are meaningful and connected to their overall well-being. This can help children feel more balanced, regulated, and spiritually connected, reflecting the holistic example set by Jesus.
By understanding Jesus’ example, we can promote balance, mindful movement, body awareness, and compassionate acceptance for children with sensory processing differences. This approach, which emphasizes the unity of body and spirit, models attuned movement and rest, patience and perseverance, and encourages body awareness as a path to spiritual and emotional well-being. It also emphasizes the unity of the Body of Christ, fostering a supportive environment where children’s sensory experiences are respected as part of their unique role.
- Science can help us understand the proprioceptive sense, a 'mystery' sense that allows us to feel and understand our body's positioning, movement, and coordination.
- A well-rounded approach to health-and-wellness should include understanding the importance of mental health, nutrition, fitness-and-exercise, and learning about lesser-known senses like the interoceptive and proprioceptive senses.
- Education-and-self-development can provide insights for accommodating the unique needs of children and young people with sensory processing differences, such as those with under or overly responsive vestibular systems.
- Personal-growth and spiritual development can be achieved by incorporating principles that emphasize body awareness, mindful movement, and compassionate acceptance, as demonstrated by Jesus' example in promoting balance and empathy for those with sensory processing differences.
