Sensory Processing and the Three Hidden Senses

We usually hear about five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. But our experience of the world and of our own bodies is richer than that. Three lesser-known senses are just as vital: vestibular, proprioception, and interoception. These hidden senses play an essential role in sensory processing, the way our nervous system takes in, organizes, and responds to information from both inside and outside our bodies. Together with the five classic senses, they shape how we move, feel, and stay balanced inside and out.

The Eight Senses at a Glance

Here are all eight sensory systems, with a quick look at what each does:

Sense	What it does	Under vs Over response examples
Tactile (Touch)	Skin receptors detecting pressure, texture, temperature, pain, vibration	Under responsive: doesn’t notice some touches, seeks texture; Over responsive: reacts strongly to tags or certain fabrics
Auditory (Hearing)	Picks up noises, tone, volume, pitch	Under responders may miss sounds; Over responders get overwhelmed
Visual (Sight)	Color, light, movement, shapes	Overload from bright lights; Under sensitivity to subtle visual cues
Gustatory (Taste)	Flavors: sweet, sour, spicy, bitter, salty	Some crave strong flavors; others avoid novel or intense tastes
Olfactory (Smell)	Detects odors and scents, often tied to memory	Over sensitive to smells; Under sensitive may miss strong or unpleasant odors

When the brain processes these senses efficiently, daily life feels smooth and manageable. But when sensory processing differences are present, such as in many people with disabilities or neurodivergence, the world can feel either overwhelming or underwhelming.

The Three Hidden Senses: Why They’re So Important

These senses are called hidden not because they are mysterious, but because we often don’t notice them until they are out of sync. They are central to sensory processing and play a big role in how we regulate our emotions, energy, and interactions with the world.

1. Vestibular Sense: Found in the inner ear, this sense tells us about balance, motion, head position, and movement direction. If someone is under responsive, they might seek lots of movement such as rocking or spinning. If over responsive, even gentle movement may cause dizziness or discomfort. Challenges in vestibular processing can make everyday tasks like walking in a crowded hallway or riding in a car feel difficult.

2. Proprioception: This sense provides feedback from muscles and joints about where the body is in space. It helps with posture, force, and coordination. Under responsive individuals may bump into things, use too much force, or crave heavy pressure and rough play. Over responsive individuals may avoid contact or feel uneasy in crowded spaces. Proprioceptive input is often calming and regulating, which is why activities like stretching, lifting, or using weighted blankets can be so helpful.

3. Interoception: This is the sense of what is happening inside the body, such as hunger, heartbeat, breathing, temperature, pain, or emotional states. Under responsive individuals may miss signals like hunger or pain, or have little awareness of emotions. Over responsive individuals may experience these internal signals very intensely, leading to overwhelm. Interoception is closely tied to self-awareness and emotional regulation, making it a key piece of sensory processing and mental health.

   
   

How Sensory Processing Shapes Daily Life

Sensory processing is the brain’s way of making sense of all eight sensory systems. When it works smoothly, we can balance, focus, and regulate ourselves. But for children and adults with sensory processing differences, the world can feel too loud, too bright, too confusing, or not stimulating enough.

This can impact:

• Physical well-being, such as balance, coordination, or frequent accidents

• Emotional health, including anxiety, frustration, or difficulty recognizing feelings

• Daily functioning, like eating a variety of foods, tolerating certain textures, or knowing when the body needs rest

  
  

Practical Steps: Supporting the Hidden Senses

Supporting sensory processing often starts with tuning in to the hidden senses:

• Vestibular: gentle rocking, swinging, mindful yoga, walking on uneven ground

• Proprioception: pushing or pulling heavy objects, resistance work, weighted blankets, safe rough play

• Interoception: breath awareness, body scanning, journaling internal states, reminders to check in with hunger, thirst, or emotions

These activities can help regulate the nervous system, creating a stronger foundation for learning, relationships, and self-care.

All eight senses work together to shape how we experience and respond to the world around us. The hidden senses, vestibular, proprioception, and interoception, are central to sensory processing and play a powerful role in balance, regulation, and self-awareness. For individuals with disabilities and sensory processing differences, recognizing and supporting these senses can ease challenges, lower stress, and make daily life more accessible. By nurturing all eight senses, we strengthen not only physical and emotional health but also our overall sense of connection, confidence, and well-being.