INTEROCEPTION: ASSESSMENT OF BODY PERCEPTION IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND SENSORY ISSUE

Abstract

Background and Aims: Children with autism and sensory processing disorder may suffer from issues in interoception or its awareness. However, limited studies have been conducted till date this study is aimed to assess the interoceptive awareness among children with autism and sensory processing disorder. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on autistic children to observe interoception through a self-administered questionnaire based on emotional awareness, self-regulation and body awareness formulated on Google Docs and distributed via email or Whatsapp group. Results: A total number of 63 children consisted of 42 (67%) males and 21 (33%) females showed that (30.3%) children were always able to recognize their anger, (47.6%) feels pain in their body, (58.7%),feel and inform their parents while only (19%) children knows and feel about their mouth being dry or about their thirst. During eating, the (76.2%) children never have difficulty coordinating swallowing, chewing or sucking with breathing. In toileting routines, (41%) and (28.6%) always communicated regarding urination and defecation. Conclusion: It was concluded that less notable interoceptive differences were found in the children with autism; however, future trials may use standardized approaches to rule out such components in autistic children for effective care and management of the disability.