Interoception and exteroception

[Concepts in Sensorimotor Research]

Interoception and exteroception are two types of sensory perception.

Interoception refers to the sense of the internal state of the body. It helps us understand and feel what's going on inside our bodies, like feeling hungry, thirsty, or perceiving our heartbeat. Interoceptive awareness contributes to emotional regulation and self-awareness.

Exteroception refers to the perception of the external environment through our senses like vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. These senses help us navigate and interact with the world around us.

Research findings  in autism:

Autistics often exhibit differences in sensory processing, which may include atypical interoceptive and exteroceptive perception. Findings (examples below) suggest that atypical interoceptive and exteroceptive processing may be significant factors in understanding the behavioral and sensory symptoms in individuals with autism.

• This review explores the role of oxytocin in interoception and its potential implications for autism. The authors propose that atypical interoceptive processing, potentially linked to altered oxytocin functioning, could contribute to the social and emotional difficulties experienced by autistics. (1)
• This study found that adult autistics exhibited significantly lower interoceptive awareness compared to NT adults. The authors suggest that this might be related to the difficulties in social and emotional processing seen in autism (2).
• This review discusses various neurophysiological findings in sensory processing, including exteroception, in autistics. The authors highlight that altered sensory processing may contribute to the core features of ASD, such as social communication and repetitive behaviors (3) 

Self Consciousness

Self-consciousness refers to a psychological state in which an person is aware of themselves as a distinct entity, separate from their surroundings, and possesses a sense of self-awareness. It involves the ability to reflect upon and recognize one's thoughts, emotions, and actions, as well as to perceive oneself as an object of observation and evaluation by others.

Self-consciousness is a fundamental aspect of human cognition and plays a significant role in shaping our experiences, behavior, and social interactions. It is believed to emerge during early childhood as part of the development of self-identity and continues to evolve throughout a person's lifetime

Self-consciousness encompasses various aspects, including self-perception, self-reflection, self-evaluation, and self-awareness. It involves the ability to introspect and engage in self-analysis, examining one's thoughts, beliefs, desires, and intentions. It also entails being aware of one's own body and physical presence in space.

Self-consciousness also involves a social dimension, as individuals may become aware of how they are perceived by others and adjust their behavior accordingly. This can lead to feelings of self-consciousness in social situations, where people may feel concerned about being judged or evaluated by others.

While self-consciousness can influence self-esteem, they are separate concepts. Self-consciousness refers to the awareness of oneself, while self-esteem relates to one's evaluation and feelings of self-worth. 

Research suggests atypical self-consciousness in autism. 

• This study examined self-referential cognition and empathy in individuals with autism using self-report questionnaires. The findings suggested that autistics may have reduced self-referential processing and difficulties with empathy (1)
• Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), this study investigated self-referential processing . The results indicated altered neural activation in brain regions associated with self-representation, suggesting atypical self-consciousness in autism (2).
• This longitudinal study explored self-recognition and self-consciousness in children with autism using tasks such as mirror self-recognition and pretend play. The findings suggested delayed development of self-recognition and reduced engagement in pretend play in children with autism (3).
• This review article proposed the social motivation theory of autism, which emphasizes the influence of altered self-consciousness on social behavior and social cognition in autistics. It provides insights into how self-consciousness is linked to the broader social challenges observed in autism (4).

As always research on autism is not set in stone and is still evolving.

IPASE - Psychotic-Like Anomalous Self-Experiences

Lexicon [Measures] -  IPASE

Used in psychology/psychiatry to capture subtle manifestations of psychosis-like experiences that do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for a psychotic disorder.

Submeasures include.

• Self-disorders: disturbances in the sense of self, including disruptions in self-awareness, self-boundaries, and self-other differentiation.
• Cognitive disturbances: cognitive anomalies such as thought interference, disorganized thinking, and difficulties in attention and concentration.
• Perceptual anomalies: perceptual disturbances such as hallucinations, illusions, and alterations in the perception of time or space.
• Thought abnormalities:  unusual or idiosyncratic beliefs, magical thinking, and experiences of thought control or insertion.

Limitations:

• self-report measures are subject to biases and inaccuracies.
• Not a dx tool.

Limitations wrt use in autism population

• While there may be autism features that appear to overlap with psychosis (eg: social communication deficits & RRB) they are not indicative of true psychosis. 

 

Compassion is the hand that reaches out to lift someone up

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day. 

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever.  #MentalHealth. 

 

Autism and GI Issues

There is a strong link between gastrointestinal (GI) issues and autism. Studies have shown that up to 90% of people with ASD have some type of GI problem, compared to about 20% of the general population. The most common GI problems seen in autism are constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, vomiting, reflux, IBD, Celiac disease, food allergies and food intolerance. 

There are a number of possible explanations for the link between GI issues and ASD. One possibility is  an increased sensitivity to certain foods or food additives. Another possibility is an imbalance of gut bacteria, which can lead to GI problems. Additionally, autistics may have difficulty communicating their GI symptoms, which can make it difficult to diagnose and treat these problems.

Oddball Paradigm

The oddball paradigm is a cognitive research method involving the detection of infrequent, deviant stimuli within a series of standard stimuli, used to study sensory processing, attention, and cognitive control. It is widely used in autism research as it helps identify atypical neural and behavioral responses.

PlainSpeak: The oddball paradigm is an experiment where people detect unusual items in a series of regular items. It's used in autism research to understand how people with autism process information differently.

Read more about Oddball Paradigms

PlainSpeak. In plain language for the Lay Reader

For the scientific/academic reader

O friend

Today I got a email offering an appointment to the Scientific Committee of the 14th Autism Europe Congress 2025 to be held in Dublin, Ireland. The Autism Europe Congress is a triennial scientific conference bringing together stakeholders to discuss autism research. 

What I  especially loved was that the email started with "A chara" (a traditional opening to an Irish letter – translating as “O Friend”) and ended with "Mise leas mise" (a traditional closing to an Irish letter – translating as “It is I, with respect”). 

It is so affirmative and speaks to connections filled with kindness, which all of us need a lot more of. Will definitely be contemplating on those phrases more. Parallels to Metta (Buddhist), Kalyanamastu (Sanskrit), Ofa Lahi Atu (Tongan), Ubuntu (Bantu) or a new word I came across recently Takiwatanga (the Maori word for autism, which roughly means "in our own space and time").

Compassion is the balm that soothes the wounds of the world

Towards a more Humane Society. Contemplating an emotion, 1 line a day. 

Our divided and conflicted world needs compassion more than ever.  #MentalHealth. 

 

Ofa Lahi Atu

"Ofa lahi atu" is a phrase in Tongan that is often used to express deep love and respect.

The literal English translation of "Ofa lahi atu" is "much love to you", but its meaning goes beyond the words themselves. In Tongan culture, the expression is often used to convey a sense of gratitude, humility, and reverence for others, nature, and the divine.

In a philosophical sense, "Ofa lahi atu" can be understood as a recognition of the underlying unity and interdependence of all things. It suggests that love and respect are not only essential for personal relationships but also for the harmonious functioning of society and the natural world.

The phrase "Ofa lahi atu" can be relevant in the context of autism and disability by emphasizing the importance of love, respect, and interconnectedness. People with disabilities, including autistics, often face social, emotional, and physical challenges that can make them feel isolated and marginalized.

By expressing and acting with a feeling of "Ofa lahi atu" towards autistics, society can convey deep love and respect for autistics, affirm their dignity and worth as human beings. remind us that our interconnectedness extends beyond our immediate social circles and includes all.  It can inspire us to work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive society that values diversity, promotes empathy, and fosters mutual understanding.

Groups in the autism space community too needs to express and act with a mindset of “Ofa lahi atu’ towards each other, instead of the current vicious bickering between polarized groups of “who has the loudest voice” and undermining other groups. We can recognize each others unique strengths, be accepting of all challenges methodologies, and perspectives and work towards solutions that address a wide range of needs.

Spoon Theory and Autism

Spoon theory,  to elucidate the finite physical and emotional energy reserves available to individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses. This model employs "spoons" as units representing a person's daily energy capacity, where each activity—ranging from basic self-care to complex tasks—consumes a certain number of spoons. Individuals with disabilities must strategically allocate their limited spoons to avoid energy depletion.

Spoon theory is a metaphor used to describe the  physical and emotional energy reserves available to individuals with disabilities. The theory was created by Christine Miserandino, a woman with lupus, to help explain to her friend what it was like to live with a chronic illness. 

This model employs "spoons" as units representing a person's daily energy capacity, where each activity—ranging from basic self-care to complex tasks—consumes a certain number of spoons. Individuals with disabilities must strategically allocate/budget their limited spoons to avoid energy depletion.

The theory has become a popular way for people with disabilities to explain their experiences to others, and it has also helped to raise awareness about the challenges faced on a daily basis. It also emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding towards people who may be struggling with challenges that affect their ability to function in day-to-day life.

In the context of autism, spoon theory provides a valuable lens for understanding the heightened energy demands associated with sensory processing difficulties and social interactions. Autistics often experience sensory overload from everyday stimuli, necessitating significant cognitive and emotional resources to manage these inputs. Consequently, routine activities such as grocery shopping or attending social events can rapidly deplete their energy reserves. These experiences can be likened to using up spoons, or units of energy, more quickly than someone without sensory processing issues might.

Additionally, social interaction can also be a source of stress and exhaustion for people with autism. Social situations can require a lot of cognitive processing and emotional regulation, which can also deplete one's energy reserves.  This metaphor underscores the need for empathy and tailored support strategies, recognizing the unique challenges faced by autistic individuals in energy management. 

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2 versions of this post

For Scientific/Academic Audience

PlainSpeak in plain language for lay audience

The uncertainty principle

The uncertainty principle is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics, which states that it is impossible to simultaneously know the exact position and momentum of a particle with absolute certainty. This means that the more precisely we know the position of a particle, the less precisely we can know its momentum, and vice versa.

The uncertainty principle was first formulated by Werner Heisenberg in 1927 and is often expressed mathematically as: Δx * Δp >= h/4π, where Δx is the uncertainty in the position of the particle, Δp is the uncertainty in its momentum, and h is Planck's constant.

The uncertainty principle has important implications for the behavior of subatomic particles, as it means that they cannot be precisely described or predicted in the same way that macroscopic objects can be. Instead, quantum mechanics uses probabilistic descriptions to predict the behavior of particles, based on the wave function that describes the probability distribution of the particle's position and momentum.

The uncertainty principle also has broader implications for our understanding of the nature of reality, as it challenges our intuition and classical conceptions of how the world works. It has become a central concept in modern physics and has led to the development of many important technologies, including the scanning tunneling microscope and the laser.

Uncertainty and Autism -  A Quantum Perspective 

Kindness is the sunshine that brightens up the world

Compassion is the light that shines in the darkness of pain

 

Towards a more Humane Society.  Contemplating a different emotion and writing one line each day on it. #MentalHealth. This month is Compassion