The Forgotten-About Senses: A Neurodivergent Approach to Regulation
Oct 14, 2025
As therapists—especially those who are neurodivergent—we spend our days attuned to the emotional worlds of others.
We listen for patterns, feelings, and subtle cues.
But one of the most powerful tools for regulation is much closer to home: our sensory system.
For neurodivergent clinicians, sensory awareness isn’t just a mindfulness exercise—it’s foundational.
Before the mind can ground or reframe, the body is already responding to sensory input: light, sound, movement, touch, and the inner signals that shape our emotional states.
When we learn to regulate through our nine senses, we create steadier ground for both ourselves and our clients.
Beyond the Five Senses
We’re taught about sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—but humans actually experience nine senses.
And for neurodivergent people, each sense can either support calm or spark dysregulation.
Sight (Visual)
Lighting, color, and visual clutter all affect arousal.
Try soft, natural lighting and visually restful spaces.
Sound (Auditory)
Even subtle noises—a ticking clock, hallway chatter—can overwhelm.
Use white noise, gentle music, or sound-dampening tools to regulate.
Touch (Tactile)
Texture and temperature matter.
Weighted items, warm tea, or cozy fabrics can cue the nervous system toward safety.
Smell (Olfactory)
Scents can comfort or overstimulate.
Choose neutral or natural aromas—or none at all.
Taste (Gustatory)
Taste can anchor awareness.
Sip water or tea mindfully between sessions as a micro-reset.
The Hidden Three
These lesser-known senses are essential for regulation—especially for neurodivergent therapists.
Interoception: The Inner Compass
Your awareness of heartbeat, breath, hunger, and tension.
Check in gently: What is my body telling me right now?
Treat sensations as information, not judgment.
Proprioception: The Body Map
Your sense of where you are in space.
Use grounding movement—stretching, pressing your feet into the floor—to reset between sessions.
Vestibular: The Balance System
Your sense of motion and stability.
Try swaying, walking, or standing between sessions to restore equilibrium.
Regulation Begins with Sensation
Self-regulation starts in the body.
Notice what sensory input supports your system and what overwhelms it.
Experiment with:
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Visual rest – fewer bright lights or screens
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Movement – gentle stretching or pacing
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Tactile grounding – weighted or textured objects
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Breath awareness – slow exhale, soften shoulders
Every nervous system has its own rhythm.
Yours deserves care and curiosity, not correction.
Your Space as Co-Regulator
Your therapy environment communicates safety through sensory cues—light, sound, texture, scent.
For neurodivergent therapists, designing a supportive space isn’t luxury—it’s ethical care.
When your senses feel safe, presence flows naturally.
Listen with All Nine Senses
Before your next session, pause and ask:
“Which of my senses need support right now?”
Regulation doesn’t come from doing more—it begins with noticing what your body already knows.
