Proprioception refers to our sense of where our body is in space and how it’s moving. It helps us coordinate movement, gauge force and pressure, and move through the world without having to constantly watch our body.

Many Autistic and ADHD people experience differences in proprioception. This can show up as clumsiness, bumping into things, misjudging pressure, craving deep pressure, or struggling to sense how much force to use. For some, proprioceptive input feels deeply grounding and regulating. For others, certain kinds of input can feel uncomfortable, overwhelming, or confusing.

Proprioception plays a key role in nervous system regulation. Activities that offer clear, steady proprioceptive input, like pushing, pulling, lifting, squeezing, or deep pressure, can help support body awareness and emotional regulation.

With the right kinds of input, proprioception can become a reliable way of feeling more anchored, coordinated, and more grounded in the body.