Interoception Activities for Teens
Body Signals & Self-Regulation · Special Ed
- Grades
- Grades 6–12
- Formats
- Google Slides, PDF, PowerPoint
- Pages
- 30
- Answer keys
- Included
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Help teens notice what their bodies are telling them and respond with confidence. These interoception activities for middle and high school teach the body signals behind everyday self-regulation (hunger and fullness, thirst, tiredness, temperature, heart rate and breathing, needing the bathroom, pain, muscle tension and emotions) with age-respectful visuals, hands-on cards and clear supports for special education, SEL, school counseling and OT-supported lessons.
What's included
- Teacher guide with 6-session pacing, materials and differentiation (support, on level, challenge)
- Introducing It & Supports: a 5-minute introduction script, visual and AAC supports, and ideas for adapting to different needs
- Teaching It Safely: trauma-informed choices, neurodiversity-affirming language swaps, hunger and fullness guidance, and a movement safety note
- Standards page (CASEL and ASCA Student Standards) with contents
- What Is Interoception? short reading with vocabulary and 5 questions
- Body Signals Guide (2 pages): 10 body signals, what each can feel like, what it might mean and what can help
- My Body Map with a personal color key and 4 questions
- Emotions in the Body: 6 emotions, "same clue, different meaning" and 3 questions
- Check-In Scales: 8 visual 1-5 scales
- Notice Your Breath & Body: gentle breath noticing, an optional longer breath out and a quick body scan, each with an outside-anchor option
- Heartbeat Before & After Moving: optional 30-second movement break with seated choices, plus practice math (15 seconds x 4)
- 24 body signal matching cards (12 pairs) with a recording sheet
- 16 scenario task cards, each with one best answer, plus a recording sheet
- Weekly Check-In Log with look-back questions
- My Body Signal Plan: "When my body says..., I can..." with school supports and how I'll ask
- 12 vocabulary words and an 8-item vocabulary check
- 12 visual support cards for pointing or AAC ("I'm thirsty," "I need the bathroom," "I need a break")
- 4 exit tickets
- Listen to Your Body poster: Pause, Notice, Name, Respond
- IEP data sheet (notice, name, choose an action, with prompt levels) and a progress graph with sample goal ideas
- Complete answer keys, plus what a strong answer includes for every open-ended and personal page
How to use it
Use it in special education, life skills, SEL, advisory, health or school counseling lessons, in small groups or with OT support. Run it as 6 short sessions, then keep using the check-in scales and weekly log. Low prep: print, then cut the matching, scenario and visual support cards. These activities teach everyday body awareness; they are not a medical or therapy program and do not diagnose anything.
Skills practiced
Interoceptionbody awarenessself-regulationemotion awarenessself-monitoringself-advocacydecision making
