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Neurodivergence and the three ‘hidden’ senses: proprioception, interoception and the vestibular system

Neurodivergence and the three ‘hidden’ senses: proprioception, interoception and the vestibular system

Written by

Family Action UK

Published on

February 16, 2026

We all have key senses that we use to understand and navigate the world around us. They play a vital role in the way we experience our environment and the way we respond to it. You’re probably familiar with the five senses of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell, but there are three other significant ones to be aware of too:

Proprioception: Body awareness and co-ordination.
Interoception: Communication between the body’s organs and the brain.
Vestibular system: Balance and spatial awareness.

You may not have been aware of these senses before now. If you’re neurotypical, the chances are they’re just working away in the background as you go about life day-to-day. But neurodivergence can impact how people experience these senses – so let’s take a look at how in this informative article from Family Action UK .....

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https://family-action.org.uk/self-help/neurodivergence-proprioception-interoception-vestibular-system/

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