The Secret Senses
This internal sense tells your brain if you are hungry, thirsty, or need to use the restroom.
What is Interoception?
This common habit provides proprioceptive input to the jaw and is a proven way to help the brain focus during a test.
What is chewing gum?
This hormone, which helps you sleep, is suppressed by the blue light coming from your phone or laptop.
What is Melatonin?
These common school lights often hum and flicker at a frequency that can cause sensory overload or headaches.
What are fluorescent lights?
This is the myth that people eventually "stop having" sensory issues once they become adults.
What is growing out of it?
This "sixth sense" uses receptors in your muscles and joints to tell you where your limbs are without looking at them.
What is Proprioception?
Pushing against this stationary object provides instant deep pressure that can help ground a teenager during a stressful moment.
What is a wall?
Splashing this on your face can instantly lower a high heart rate.
What is cold water?
For many teens, keeping their hands busy with one of these actually helps their ears focus on a teacher's lecture.
What is a fidget tool?
This type of reading is scientifically better for your sleep cycle than reading on an iPad or Kindle.
What is a paper book?
Located in the inner ear, this system is responsible for your sense of balance and knowing if you are moving or spinning.
What is the Vestibular system?
This "portable hug" is a type of tight undergarment that provides constant deep pressure input throughout the school day.
What is a compression shirt?
During puberty, these chemical messengers fluctuate, which can make your brain much more sensitive to light and sound than when you were a kid.
What is hormones?
Taking one of these short, planned breaks to do a "heavy work" activity can prevent sensory overload before it happens.
What is a sensory break?
This is the minimum amount of time you should stay away from screens before trying to fall asleep.
What is 30 to 60 minutes?
While most people think there are only five senses, scientists actually recognize this many...
What is eight?
This bedtime tool uses deep pressure touch to signal the brain to release serotonin and switch to "relax" mode.
What is a weighted blanket?
This specific brain area, the "emotional center," becomes hyper-reactive when you haven't had enough sleep.
What is the Amygdala?
This act of speaking up for your own sensory needs such as asking to wear ear plugs in a loud cafeteria
What is Self-advocacy
Contrary to popular belief, this neurological condition is its own diagnosis and can exist without a person being Autistic.
What is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?
This term describes someone who is "under-sensitive" to input and might not notice a loud noise or a painful scrape.
What is Hyposensitive?
This type of physical activity involves any task that pulls or pushes against the muscles and joints to calm the nervous system.
What is Heavy Work?
This "brain trash" is flushed out by the glymphatic system allowing your senses to "reset."
Metabolic waste (or toxins)?
This term describes the range of intensity where a person can stay calm and process information effectively.
What is the Window of Tolerance?
This is an involuntary neurological "short circuit" caused by too much input, and it is NOT the same thing as a temper tantrum.
What is a sensory meltdown?