Special Senses: The 5 Senses + 3 More!
Jason Washburn, OT
Most people are familiar with the five senses: sight, touch, taste, hearing, and smell. We are able to see with our eyes, touch with our hands (and all body parts), taste with our tongues, hear with our ears, and smell with our nose. What’s less known, however, is that there are actually three more sensory systems! These are proprioception, vestibular, and interoception.
The Lesser Known Senses
In the broadest of strokes, proprioception is how we can tell if something touching us is the weight of a nickel or of a gallon of milk. Vestibular is how we know we are upside-down when riding on a roller coaster. Lastly, and the most complicated, is interoception. This is the feeling we have inside our bodies. It’s that butterfly sensation, or the upset stomach, and even how we tell if we need to potty.
Interoception
Interoception is the most confusing to understand of all the sensory systems. This is the sense of what is happening inside of our bodies. This system is going to tell you:
- Hunger, fullness, and thirst
- Pain
- Body temperature
- Heart rate and breathing rate
- Need for the bathroom
- Muscle tension
- Urge to itch
- Nausea
- Tickle
- Sleepiness
- Physical exertion
The part of the brain that interprets all these signals coming from the body is called the insula. This helps to take in all the information and convert it into one of two options: body state or emotional state.
- Body States: These involve the basic functions or physical conditions of the body. Body states include hunger, thirst, needing to go to the bathroom, pain, itch, tickle, temperature (hot or cold), nausea, headache, illness, muscle tension.
- Emotional States: These involve our moods or emotional conditions of the body. Emotion states include anger, embarrassment, happiness, anxiety, excitement, sadness, fear, etc.
The big take-away from all of this is that our body sensations promote the means in how we behave. For example:
Feeling sensations > Body state/emotion > Urge to act > Action > Outcome
The urge to act when thirsty
Dry throat/dry mouth > thirsty > urge to act > get a drink > discomfort fades
OR
The urge to act when frustrated
Tight muscles/faster heart/tight chest/overall heat/clenched jaw > frustrated > urge to act > ask for help > discomfort fades
Not every child, or adult for that matter, understands what action to take in order to reach the desired outcome. By learning to listen to the signs within the body, we can better self-interpret what is happening and take action that will reach the desired outcome.
If your child seems to have difficulty with any of their sensory systems, please contact Hogg Therapy Associates! Our therapists are specially-trained to work with your child on sensory development. Visit our website at hoggtherapy.com or give us a call at 859-353-3666.
Source: Interoception: The Eight Sensory System by Kelly Mahler, MS, OTR/L
![We’ve loved seeing your stories roll in over the past couple weeks and wanted to share one of our own, thanks to therapists Lauren & Maya and their friend Tiffany. ❤️
Last week, OT Ms. Lauren and ST Ms. Maya accompanied Tiffany on a HUGE adventure, attending the Special Needs Camp of Kentucky for activities, friendship, and growth ? Headquartered in Bath County, SNCKI is free to attend, with nearly 100 campers enrolled this year! Ms. Lauren shared her thoughts with the HTP team when she got home: “The other campers welcomed [Tiffany] with open arms, and she made so many new friends…A space where 76 teens/adults with disabilities of all kinds were free to just be them and make those connections with each other while having tons of fun. We have had moments that were trickier to navigate, but we did it together.”
One of the nights was family and community night, featuring a group dance and a talent showcase. ?Lauren said, “The amount of love and support in the gym was out of this world. For her mom to see that, to know that we’ve got her girl no matter what, means more than any treatment code or note I could ever write. She is already asking when she gets to come back…and even told her mom to ‘buy a new house at camp’? If you are not already, follow Special Needs Connections of Kentucky, Inc on facebook. They are doing such AMAZING things for our community here and deserve so much support.” ? We couldn’t agree more!
Therapy isn’t about treatment codes, billable hours, documentation, or recertification. It’s about the meaningful moments and the love we pour into these children every single day. This is why Hogg Therapy exists—to give every child the opportunity to experience a meaningful, joyful life. ✨ Thank you, Lauren and Maya for your support both in and outside of the clinic and for sharing this story! ?](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/747807719_18212073508337241_9129116297997701917_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=tCWn73_5rtkQ7kNvwH3v3Fu&_nc_oc=AdqkXs1j4ZibIrHGmF4E8N_h4pPTqd7alGUClKuAZJPwzyeBHeyUR_ZcrYg_4cVwuDU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=vwJTdBoB7zrAvRerPWqvQg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQF41Zl_n7k3boMLx0v6KZmFef6jQAsCYQB6Euk0DRgcmg9VQYcOtcoy1K_JwgFjdBtvW-XhcKKh5A&oh=00_AQH6nHwwcQx67Qf_5CXNZryVofNO1fXGJXoa4k0tKyf7rA&oe=6A715C8A)
![We’re sharing an occupational therapy success story from OT Mrs. Abby today! ? Meet Grayson! When he first started occupational therapy, everyday life felt hard. He was experiencing significant picky eating, struggled with daily routines and transitions, and had a difficult time managing big emotions.
Since then, Grayson has put in so much hard work. Through OT, he has built confidence, strengthened his self-regulation skills, and learned to take on new and challenging tasks with courage. Every small step has added up to something truly amazing! One of the biggest reasons for Grayson’s success has been the incredible partnership with his parents. They fully embraced therapy beyond the clinic by consistently practicing strategies at home through his Home Exercise Program (HEP). Their dedication, encouragement, and willingness to try new approaches have made all the difference.
Today, Grayson is trying new foods every week, navigating daily routines with greater independence, and enjoying more successful, joyful moments with his family. His growth is a wonderful reminder of what can happen when a determined child, committed caregivers, and a supportive therapy team work together.
?Congratulations, Grayson! We are so proud of everything you’ve accomplished, and we’re celebrating your amazing parents, too. Your hard work, perseverance, and teamwork are inspiring! ?
[This story & all photos shared with parent permission ??] #occupationaltherapy #hoggtherapypediatrics #hoggtherapy #feedingtherapy](https://scontent-iad6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/742695277_18211398901337241_3568386461214310976_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=ZuMQwTXiLRAQ7kNvwHysT2v&_nc_oc=AdrgLD2KE3BZ_Tgj_jypYgv50BwgBbMAwW3P8YcFpBKy6YBOzq7lF46_XJAjv4qroGc&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=vwJTdBoB7zrAvRerPWqvQg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQEqtbpOGUNepGhevIyk4fRBIrm8P_FrSrFes5-iwkMuOa6YMRrnWm_0pORbcUjw4pPvl28IGG1m5w&oh=00_AQF1x62b40JsOzrFUraP5eRmixwm7vU9IHo4ZICEVQCZtw&oe=6A71734E)
