These 3 Hidden Senses May Affect You Differently If You’re Neurodivergent

Key TakeawaysEveryone has five senses—sight, taste, touch, smell, and hearing—but we also have three “hidden senses” that help us navigate the world and stay safe; these affect our balance and help us stay well-regulated, among other things.But some neurodivergent people are hyposensitive or hypersensitive to their hidden senses, which can make some everyday tasks difficult to navigate.They may need to work with a physical or occupational therapist to develop strategies for completing these tasks, experts said.Most people are familiar with the five senses—sight, taste, touch, smell, and hearing. However, we also have three “hidden” senses—interoception, vestibular, and proprioception—that can affect our daily lives. These senses may affect neurodivergent people differently than neurotypical individuals.The 3 ‘Hidden’ Senses, ExplainedInteroceptionrefers to sensing internal cues or “status updates” from the body, like hunger, thirst, and itchiness.Vestibular sensehelps with balance and movement control.Proprioceptionis the awareness of where your body is in space and how it’s moving—for instance, your speed, direction, and force. It is why you can move different body parts—like your arms, legs, or feet—without looking at them.How Might Neurodivergent Individuals Experience These 3 Senses?Some neurodivergent people are hyposensitive (less sensitive) or hypersensitive (more sensitive) to sensory stimuli.For instance, someone who ishyposensitive to interoceptive signals may struggle to recognize when they’re thirsty or hungry.Someone with a hyposensitive vestibular system may engage in specific movements—like rocking or swinging—to stimulate the system. Those whose vestibular system is hypersensitive may feel off-balance or in danger of falling.People who have difficulty with proprioception may have to pay closer attention to what they’re doing as they move through their day. For example, they may need to look at their hands while getting dressed or look at their feet as they walk.However, not all neurodivergent individuals struggle with these hidden senses.“I would not say that motor difficulties are inherent in conditions that fall under the neurodivergent umbrella,” saidVanessa Bal, PhD, the Karmazin and Lillard Chair in Adult Autism and associate professor at Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. “There are neurodivergent athletes whose motor skills and coordination are exceptional.”What Does ‘Neurotypical’ Mean?Can You Improve the Hidden Senses?Various qualified healthcare professionals can help neurodivergent people who experience challenges due to their hidden senses. “I would suggest seeking a consult with a physical or occupational therapist,” Bal said.Physical or occupational therapists or mental health professionals can recommend tips or coping strategies based on individual challenges. For example, people with a hyposensitive vestibular system may benefit from rocking in a chair. Those with a hypersensitive vestibular system can work on moving slowly on staircases or otherwise tough-to-navigate spaces.People who have difficulty with interoception may benefit from performing certain routine activities—like eating, drinking, or going to the bathroom—at set points throughout the day to stay regulated. Since the vestibular system plays a key role in how you experience the world, people with proprioception challenges may need to practice performing certain activities that involve the vestibular system.Though there are many strategies to help neurodivergent people who have trouble with the hidden senses, their plans will need to be highly individualized.“The way our neurochemistry works is vast and different for each person,”Justin Puder, PhD, a psychologist based in Florida, told Verywell. “Just like no two people have the same fingerprints, no two people necessarily process the same.”What This Means For YouEveryone has three “hidden senses” that help our bodies stay safe and well-regulated. These remind us to eat, drink water, and otherwise take care of our bodies; help us avoid falling or bumping into things; and allow us to move our body parts, such as our hands, without looking at them. However, some neurodivergent people are more or less sensitive to the hidden senses, which can lead to difficulty with day-to-day tasks.

Key TakeawaysEveryone has five senses—sight, taste, touch, smell, and hearing—but we also have three “hidden senses” that help us navigate the world and stay safe; these affect our balance and help us stay well-regulated, among other things.But some neurodivergent people are hyposensitive or hypersensitive to their hidden senses, which can make some everyday tasks difficult to navigate.They may need to work with a physical or occupational therapist to develop strategies for completing these tasks, experts said.

Key Takeaways

Everyone has five senses—sight, taste, touch, smell, and hearing—but we also have three “hidden senses” that help us navigate the world and stay safe; these affect our balance and help us stay well-regulated, among other things.But some neurodivergent people are hyposensitive or hypersensitive to their hidden senses, which can make some everyday tasks difficult to navigate.They may need to work with a physical or occupational therapist to develop strategies for completing these tasks, experts said.

Most people are familiar with the five senses—sight, taste, touch, smell, and hearing. However, we also have three “hidden” senses—interoception, vestibular, and proprioception—that can affect our daily lives. These senses may affect neurodivergent people differently than neurotypical individuals.

The 3 ‘Hidden’ Senses, Explained

How Might Neurodivergent Individuals Experience These 3 Senses?

Some neurodivergent people are hyposensitive (less sensitive) or hypersensitive (more sensitive) to sensory stimuli.

For instance, someone who ishyposensitive to interoceptive signals may struggle to recognize when they’re thirsty or hungry.

Someone with a hyposensitive vestibular system may engage in specific movements—like rocking or swinging—to stimulate the system. Those whose vestibular system is hypersensitive may feel off-balance or in danger of falling.

People who have difficulty with proprioception may have to pay closer attention to what they’re doing as they move through their day. For example, they may need to look at their hands while getting dressed or look at their feet as they walk.

However, not all neurodivergent individuals struggle with these hidden senses.

“I would not say that motor difficulties are inherent in conditions that fall under the neurodivergent umbrella,” saidVanessa Bal, PhD, the Karmazin and Lillard Chair in Adult Autism and associate professor at Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. “There are neurodivergent athletes whose motor skills and coordination are exceptional.”

What Does ‘Neurotypical’ Mean?

Can You Improve the Hidden Senses?

Various qualified healthcare professionals can help neurodivergent people who experience challenges due to their hidden senses. “I would suggest seeking a consult with a physical or occupational therapist,” Bal said.

Physical or occupational therapists or mental health professionals can recommend tips or coping strategies based on individual challenges. For example, people with a hyposensitive vestibular system may benefit from rocking in a chair. Those with a hypersensitive vestibular system can work on moving slowly on staircases or otherwise tough-to-navigate spaces.

People who have difficulty with interoception may benefit from performing certain routine activities—like eating, drinking, or going to the bathroom—at set points throughout the day to stay regulated. Since the vestibular system plays a key role in how you experience the world, people with proprioception challenges may need to practice performing certain activities that involve the vestibular system.

Though there are many strategies to help neurodivergent people who have trouble with the hidden senses, their plans will need to be highly individualized.

“The way our neurochemistry works is vast and different for each person,”Justin Puder, PhD, a psychologist based in Florida, told Verywell. “Just like no two people have the same fingerprints, no two people necessarily process the same.”

What This Means For YouEveryone has three “hidden senses” that help our bodies stay safe and well-regulated. These remind us to eat, drink water, and otherwise take care of our bodies; help us avoid falling or bumping into things; and allow us to move our body parts, such as our hands, without looking at them. However, some neurodivergent people are more or less sensitive to the hidden senses, which can lead to difficulty with day-to-day tasks.

What This Means For You

Everyone has three “hidden senses” that help our bodies stay safe and well-regulated. These remind us to eat, drink water, and otherwise take care of our bodies; help us avoid falling or bumping into things; and allow us to move our body parts, such as our hands, without looking at them. However, some neurodivergent people are more or less sensitive to the hidden senses, which can lead to difficulty with day-to-day tasks.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Valori I, McKenna-Plumley PE, Bayramova R, Farroni T.Perception and motion in real and virtual environments: a narrative review of autism spectrum disorders.Front Psychol. 2021;12:708229. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.708229Chen WG, Schloesser D, Arensdorf AM, et al.The emerging science of interoception: sensing, integrating, interpreting, and regulating signals within the self.Trends Neurosci. 2021;44(1):3-16. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2020.10.007Garzorz I, Deroy O.Why there is a vestibular sense, or how metacognition individuates the senses.Multisens Res. 2020;34(3):261-280. doi:10.1163/22134808-bja10026Héroux ME, Butler AA, Robertson LS, Fisher G, Gandevia SC.Proprioception: a new look at an old concept.J Appl Physiol (1985). 2022;132(3):811-814. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00809.2021Cullen KE, Zobeiri OA.Proprioception and the predictive sensing of active self-motion.Curr Opin Physiol. 2021;20:29-38. doi:10.1016/j.cophys.2020.12.001

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Valori I, McKenna-Plumley PE, Bayramova R, Farroni T.Perception and motion in real and virtual environments: a narrative review of autism spectrum disorders.Front Psychol. 2021;12:708229. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.708229Chen WG, Schloesser D, Arensdorf AM, et al.The emerging science of interoception: sensing, integrating, interpreting, and regulating signals within the self.Trends Neurosci. 2021;44(1):3-16. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2020.10.007Garzorz I, Deroy O.Why there is a vestibular sense, or how metacognition individuates the senses.Multisens Res. 2020;34(3):261-280. doi:10.1163/22134808-bja10026Héroux ME, Butler AA, Robertson LS, Fisher G, Gandevia SC.Proprioception: a new look at an old concept.J Appl Physiol (1985). 2022;132(3):811-814. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00809.2021Cullen KE, Zobeiri OA.Proprioception and the predictive sensing of active self-motion.Curr Opin Physiol. 2021;20:29-38. doi:10.1016/j.cophys.2020.12.001

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Valori I, McKenna-Plumley PE, Bayramova R, Farroni T.Perception and motion in real and virtual environments: a narrative review of autism spectrum disorders.Front Psychol. 2021;12:708229. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.708229Chen WG, Schloesser D, Arensdorf AM, et al.The emerging science of interoception: sensing, integrating, interpreting, and regulating signals within the self.Trends Neurosci. 2021;44(1):3-16. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2020.10.007Garzorz I, Deroy O.Why there is a vestibular sense, or how metacognition individuates the senses.Multisens Res. 2020;34(3):261-280. doi:10.1163/22134808-bja10026Héroux ME, Butler AA, Robertson LS, Fisher G, Gandevia SC.Proprioception: a new look at an old concept.J Appl Physiol (1985). 2022;132(3):811-814. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00809.2021Cullen KE, Zobeiri OA.Proprioception and the predictive sensing of active self-motion.Curr Opin Physiol. 2021;20:29-38. doi:10.1016/j.cophys.2020.12.001

Valori I, McKenna-Plumley PE, Bayramova R, Farroni T.Perception and motion in real and virtual environments: a narrative review of autism spectrum disorders.Front Psychol. 2021;12:708229. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.708229

Chen WG, Schloesser D, Arensdorf AM, et al.The emerging science of interoception: sensing, integrating, interpreting, and regulating signals within the self.Trends Neurosci. 2021;44(1):3-16. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2020.10.007

Garzorz I, Deroy O.Why there is a vestibular sense, or how metacognition individuates the senses.Multisens Res. 2020;34(3):261-280. doi:10.1163/22134808-bja10026

Héroux ME, Butler AA, Robertson LS, Fisher G, Gandevia SC.Proprioception: a new look at an old concept.J Appl Physiol (1985). 2022;132(3):811-814. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00809.2021

Cullen KE, Zobeiri OA.Proprioception and the predictive sensing of active self-motion.Curr Opin Physiol. 2021;20:29-38. doi:10.1016/j.cophys.2020.12.001

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?