For many of the people we see self-regulation plays a huge part in their day to day lives, especially when experiencing something new and unfamiliar. The term Homeostasis refers to the self- regulating process by which the biological system maintains stability, while adjusting to changing conditions. It is essential for effective and efficient function of the mind and body.
Often when we are at the beginning of our Intensive Interaction journey with someone new, we notice that they can appear to regularly shut down, distance themselves, and sometimes even remove themselves from a session by leaving the room. This can also occur with someone we have seen for a long time, and we understand that it is often a form of self-regulation, which needs to occur regularly to avoid sensory overload and maintain balance. When someone is cognitively challenged, they often rely on sensory processes to self-regulate, in order to achieve homeostasis. They have often discovered, through their lives and experiences, which processes help them to do this.
For example, someone may begin to feel overwhelmed and over stimulated, and may resort to finger tapping, or touching a favourite toy, or humming a certain rhythm until they feel regulated and balanced enough to return to what they were doing. Others may just remove themselves from whatever is causing them to feel unsettled, until they are ready to reconnect. The state of uncertainty can be distressing and anxiety provoking for most of us, let alone for those who do not have the intellectual capacity to understand the details of why they are feeling a certain way. Uncertainty/anxiety disturbs homeostasis and unless someone has a regulated autonomic nervous system they are not receptive to satisfying connections (see link below).
We have been seeing JJ for approximately 18 months. He is severely sight impaired and registered blind and is also non-verbal. When we first started seeing JJ he was very closed and did not seem interested in interacting with us, often getting distressed at close contact, and only coping with very short sessions, sometimes just 10 minutes was enough for him. Over time we have gained JJ’s trust through intensive interaction and we feel that he now enjoys his sessions with us. Staff have told us that they can see a huge, positive, difference in JJ since we have been working with him. The reason that I have chosen to write about our experiences with JJ is because he has a very strong need for self-regulation and has many different ways of helping himself reach Homeostasis.
- Fingers in ears
- Covering himself with his duvet, including his head
- Leaving the room
- Constant music and tv sound – constant regulation
During sessions JJ often leaves the room. Initially we would follow him, but we quickly realised that this was one of his ways of self-regulation, so we now remain in his room. He only leaves the room for 10 seconds or so before returning, often presenting his back to us for a rub, before leaving again. He can repeat this action many times and recently has had a smile on his face each time he has come back. We think that this method of regulation relates to his proprioceptive needs and his place in the space he is in. I think that JJ respects the space that we give him during this process, and it has meant that he has realised he can trust us. Trust is key in building relationships with people and it is a wonderful feeling when it is gained.
A slightly different way of maintaining homeostasis is to have a constant. For example, JJ likes to have his tv and radio on, day and night, fairly loudly, at the same time. If either one of them fails and stops working, then JJ can become very distressed. We think that the sound satisfies his auditory needs, which are so important due to his sight impairment. He only seems to need the double sound on in his bedroom, and we think that this makes it a safe, comforting space to retreat to when necessary. Again linked to self-regulation. We also wonder if the echoes of the television and radio help JJ in regards to the location of himself and objects within his room. If someone has no sight they may rely on echoes to place themselves.
Interestingly the two other methods of regulation that JJ appears to use involve blocking out sound altogether. He sometimes put his fingers in his ears, presumably blocking the sound entirely, or it may be that the depth and pressure applied just changes the tone and volume to his liking. Often if someone blocks their ears it can be an automatic reaction to ask them to take their fingers out and pay attention. However, in this situation it could be exactly the opposite of what is potentially going on. Maybe we should be thanking people for listening if they are using their fingers in their ears to regulate the sound, meaning that they stay present for longer? JJ also hides under his duvet, and enjoys being tightly tucked in. This must block out the sound, or maybe, as with his fingers in his ears, it just changes the volume and tone. We think that tucking him in tightly is again a sensory need that needs to be fulfilled for regulation to take place.
Another person who we see regularly, is Elaine. She is very mobile and often gets up from her chair for a wander around. We used to follow her and walk with her, but she didn’t seem interested in us doing this with her. We have now realised that getting up and having a wander is probably Elaine’s way of self-regulating during a session. She shares the session with Zoe, who can scream loudly. Elaine is always very vocal in the sessions too, so we wonder if removing herself for a few minutes every now and then is how Elaine manages her feelings and reaches homeostasis, a bit like self-imposed ‘time out’. Elaine’s housemate, Zoe, also does something similar. She wanders into the kitchen and checks the food in the freezer, gently pressing each box of food. We did think that Zoe needs the reassurance that food was there, ready for when she wanted it, and that there was plenty of it, but actually we now wonder if it is just her method of calming and returning to homeostasis if feeling overwhelmed or anxious, rather than being connected to reassurances regarding food. She always follows the same routine of touching the boxes, and maybe this is reassuring to her and helps her re-balance. She always returns to the session after doing this, as though she is ready to take part again. The initial reaction was for us to try to discourage Zoe from going to the kitchen, as it would disrupt the session slightly, however maybe she needed to do this in order to be settled enough to continue. We now go with Zoe to make sure that she is safe, but always let her go through the routine as she wishes.
Useful link relating to homeostasis: https://gemini.google.com/share/44baacaed7e0
Rebecca Thornett, October 2025.
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