In celebration of OT month, each one of the blogs this month will focus on a different Occupational Therapy topic! First up is the magical vestibular system. What is it, and how does it work?
Your Vestibular system is one of the 8 senses that we talk about when we are discussing sensory processing. Your vestibular system is what gives you all of the information that you need to know when it comes to how your body is moving. Am I right side up or upside down? An intact vestibular system will give you that information and so much more.
Your vestibular system is the only sensory system that is fully developed at birth. This is an important key piece of information. We may not always know why some kids seek vestibular input and others are fearful of vestibular input, but birth history can give us alot of information. If a mother was put on bedrest, had multiples (twins, triplets, etc), or had low amniotic fluid during pregnancy, this could be the reason for vestibular dysfunction. These are all scenarios where the baby did not get the typical amount of movement in the womb, which is what helps to develop this complex sensory system.
If your child is one that appears to be in constant motion, then he may be a sensory seeker. This just means that he needs more movement than the average person to remain alert and ready to work. This child would benefit from some of the following activities:
All of our sensory systems are intertwined, and the vestibular system works closely with our proprioceptive system and our visual system. It is a complicated, tangled web, but we can help!
Your Vestibular system is one of the 8 senses that we talk about when we are discussing sensory processing. Your vestibular system is what gives you all of the information that you need to know when it comes to how your body is moving. Am I right side up or upside down? An intact vestibular system will give you that information and so much more.
Your vestibular system is the only sensory system that is fully developed at birth. This is an important key piece of information. We may not always know why some kids seek vestibular input and others are fearful of vestibular input, but birth history can give us alot of information. If a mother was put on bedrest, had multiples (twins, triplets, etc), or had low amniotic fluid during pregnancy, this could be the reason for vestibular dysfunction. These are all scenarios where the baby did not get the typical amount of movement in the womb, which is what helps to develop this complex sensory system.
If your child is one that appears to be in constant motion, then he may be a sensory seeker. This just means that he needs more movement than the average person to remain alert and ready to work. This child would benefit from some of the following activities:
- quick head shakes from side to side
- swinging - this activity should be monitored when someone else is swinging the child to make sure that the child does not become over-stimulated
- forward rolls
- rocking side to side
- hanging upside down
- Place a stool under their feet, especially when they are seated on unstable surfaces. This is also important when toilet training.
- Have the child move her head out of upright position, as much as she is comfortable with throughout the day
- Make sure child feels supported during diaper changes and hair washing
All of our sensory systems are intertwined, and the vestibular system works closely with our proprioceptive system and our visual system. It is a complicated, tangled web, but we can help!