Publish date: 19 March 2026
As part of Autism Month, our Autism Team is encouraging colleagues to build their professional curiosity and deepen their understanding of neuro inclusion by exploring how our eight senses shape the way we experience the world.
While we often talk about the ‘five senses’, we actually have eight – including three less known ones: interoception (awareness of internal body signals), proprioception (sense of body position), and vestibular (balance and movement). For many autistic and neurodivergent people, differences in sensory processing can make everyday environments feel overwhelming, unpredictable, or simply very different from what non‑autistic people experience.
Take a look at our presentation highlighting common sensory differences – from sensitivity to lighting, sound, touch and smells, to challenges with recognising hunger, temperature or pain. It also offers practical suggestions for creating more comfortable and inclusive spaces, such as adjusting lighting, reducing background noise, offering quiet areas, and making sensory tools like fidgets or noise reducing headphones available.
By increasing our awareness and making small, thoughtful adjustments, we can create environments where everyone feels safe, understood and able to thrive.
Thank you for your continued commitment to neuro inclusion and person centred care.