8 Senses of the Body: the Hidden Sensory Systems

1. Tactile receptors exist all over our skin and send signals to our brains, letting us know when we’ve touched something and providing us with information about what we’ve touched. Our tactile receptors are responsible for our experience of touch. It's important to note that a person with gustatory sensory processing differences may be an under-responder (sensory seeker) or an over-responder (sensory avoider), highlighting the unique ways individuals experience the world. It's important to note that a person with gustatory sensory processing differences may be an under-responder (sensory seeker) or an over-responder (sensory avoider), highlighting the unique ways individuals experience the world of touch. It’s pressure, pain, vibration, temperature, and texture.

2. Auditory receptors located in the inner ear identify loud, soft, high, near, and far noises. These experiences help us to process the volume, tone, pitch, and rhythm of sound.

3. Visual stimuli are picked up by visual receptors in the eye and provide information about color contrast, shape, form, and movement. Our visual processing system helps us to determine what to pay attention to and directs actions and movements in the world.

4. Taste is picked up by gustatory receptors in our tongue and linked to our olfactory senses (smell). Experiences related to our gustatory system include our ability to taste sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and spicy flavors. A person with gustatory sensory processing differences may be an under-responder (sensory seeker) or an over-responder (sensory avoider).

5. Smell is processed through ‘Olfactory’ receptors in the nose. Olfactory senses can distinguish between a range of smells. Strong memories can also be associated with smell. People with processing differences may be under-responsive or over-responsive to smell.

6. Vestibular receptors are located in the inner ear and process balance and movement. This system helps us distinguish between speed and direction of movement. Posture depends on the signals from the vestibular system.

7. Proprioception receptors are located in muscles and joints of the body and provide information about where your body is in space. Our sense of body awareness and coordination is impacted by proprioceptive input. The system helps to create smooth movement. Responsible for applying the "right" amount of pressure. You can read more about how to support proprioception differences in children here.

8. Receptors on our internal organs are responsible for interoception signals that provide information on our internal body and emotional states. Experiences include the urge to urinate, hunger, temperature, pain, sadness, joy, anxiety