The proprioceptive system
Proprioception is a sense. This sense is important for the balance and motor skills of the body. The proprioceptive system is located in our muscles and joints. It gives us a sense of body awareness and regulates strength and pressure of the body.
Proprioception and balance
Proprioception is one of the three pillars of equilibrium. The balance is determined by information from
- the position sense (proprioceptive system)
- the vestibular organ
- the eyesight (visual system)
Proprioceptive and stimulus processing
The proprioceptive system also has an important regulatory role in sensory processing, as proprioceptive input can help regulate responses to sensory stimuli.
Proprioceptive input can be very calming for those who are easily overwhelmed by sensory stimuli.
Proprioceptive input can be stimulating for those who need additional sensory stimuli to improve attention and facilitate learning.
Recommended tools
Proprioception and autism
Many children with autism seek proprioceptive input to regulate their emotional and behavioral responses to sensory stimulation.
The body’s ability to feel itself is especially a problem in children with behavioral problems such as ADHD, Autism or sensory processing problems. This target group has more than average difficulty feeling where their body is in relation to the space (or the other) and understanding boundaries when playing and interacting with other children.
How does the proprioceptive system work?
The proprioceptive system is guided by receptors in the body (skin, muscles, joints) that connect to the brain through the nervous system, so that a person knows what his or her body is doing even without sight. Visual vision plays a key role in the ability to feel the body in space. However, vision is not necessary for a person to understand body property. Only proprioception is necessary for the development of body awareness and may already be present in newborns.
Proprioceptive problems
Proprioceptive problems in children can contribute to problems in planning and executing motor skills. Problems are also often seen in regulating posture. You may also recognize them: Children who are clumsy, uncoordinated and looking for sensory stimuli. These problems can hinder the children in the performance of daily tasks.
Signals that indicate problems in the proprioceptive system
- Plays rough, pushes and pulls others
- Put too much pressure on, for example, writing
- Bites / chews on objects e.g. sleeve of sweater, pen / pencil
- Prefers to run, jump, or stomp when he/she should be walking
- Walks on tiptoe (NB: there are other possible factors for this
- Poor motor planning/control & body awareness (difficulty walking up and down stairs, frequently bumping into people and objects, difficulty riding a bike)
- Poor posture (collapse, can’t stand on one foot, need to rest head on desk while working)
Proprioceptive activities
Children with proprioceptive problems often seek out extra proprioceptive stimuli themselves with their behaviour. Just think of walking, crashing on a couch/beanbag, running or waving hands.
Proprioceptive activities can improve your child’s learning process in the classroom. Proprioceptive activities will help your child to calm down, but also to be sufficiently alert so that your child feels better about himself and improves learning. [Tips for Proprioceptive Activities in the Classroom]
Regulating the Proprioceptive System
Heavy work or tasks with heavy resistance and input into the muscles and joints are essential for regulating the proprioception system. Think, for example, of having your child move a stack of books or blocks, having them lift the groceries into the car. But blowing bubbles or looking for resistance with elastic cloths are also effective.
Interesting resources
You might also like?
- 5 tips for children who chew on clothes
- 7 proprioceptive activities
- Calming activities for the classroom
- What is tactile stimulus processing?
Share this post via social media

