#overactive

What Does the Vestibular System Do?

The vestibular system is not one of the five basic senses we learned about in school, but it’s the most fundamental. It is the first sensation a fetus experiences prior to birth. In order for the other systems to integrate properly, they depend on the vestibular system.

The vestibular system is the part of the sensory system that controls equilibrium, balance and coordination. It also plays an important role with the brains ability to develop auditory language processing skills.

While the research shows a clear connection between vestibular dysfunction and auditory processing, there is no scientifically proven reason as to what that connection may be.

The Vestibular System & Auditory Processing

The auditory and vestibular systems work together to process the sensations of sound and movement. This process first begins in the ear when introduced to auditory input. The ability to hear sounds is not something that can be learned, unless there is injury or illness-our hearing ability is assigned to us at birth. To put it simply, we either can hear or we cannot hear.

Auditory processing is different than hearing. While an individual may be able to hear sounds, that doesn’t mean they will be able to comprehend what they are hearing. The ability to comprehend what we hear is something that is learned. This comes over time as we learn and grow and our bodies start to integrate vestibular sensations from sounds that we hear. Auditory processing has nothing to do with hearing or intelligence. A person with auditory processing disorder can hear you, they can’t comprehend the words you are saying as quickly as the average person.

Over time, babies begin to purposefully interact with their environments. As they do this they learn to interpret the sounds they hear, and associate them with meaning. This is process is referred to as auditory processing and it has 3 subsystems.

1. Auditory Discrimination – The ability to differentiate between sounds.

2. Auditory Figure– Also known as ground disturbance, is the to discriminate between sounds in the background and foreground.

3. Language – The ability to use words, gestures, objects and symbols in a meaningful way to convey your ideas.

The Vestibular System & Speech and Language

Receptive language is the ability comprehend and retain the language you read or hear. Expressive language is the ability to use language in a meaningful way to express yourself through reading and writing. While speech and language are closely related, they are completely different.

Speech is the ability of the ability to produce sound. The skills necessary to do this are dependent upon the ability of the face muscles to produce speech. The vestibular system is influential in the motor control and planning systems that control these muscles. Language is based on communication and conversational skills as well as receptive and expressive language skills and this ability takes time to develop.

Symptoms of a Hyper or Hypoactive Vestibular System:

Difficulties with the vestibular processing system can negatively impact your child’s quality of everyday life. These children may appear unorganized, hyperactive, defiant, inattentive, impulsive, or anxious. Just like the other sensory systems dysfunction can present as hypo or hyper responsive. Recognizing and addressing concerns early in the game greatly increases the odds of overcoming long term difficulties.

Hypo-Responsive Symptoms:

* Prefer more sedentary activities

* Apprehension about climbing, swinging or other activities where there feet aren’t touching the ground

* Issues with balance, may experience frequent falls or injuries

* Appearing cautious when moving around

* Experienced difficulties with object permanence

* Frequently appearing like they are out of place or seeming confused in their surroundings

* Easily becoming dizzy or motion sick

* During infancy they may have became upset when placed on stomach for tummy time

* Bad posture- often slouching, prefers laying down.

Hyper-Responsive Symptoms:

* Never getting dizzy no matter how much spinning they may do

* Impulsively jumps, runs and climbs

* In their surroundings they have no sense of danger

* Difficulty sitting still

* Inattentiveness

* Enjoys rocking, spinning and twirling

* May be observed staring intently at moving objects (fans, spinning wheels on hot-wheels, etc)

* Enjoys swinging, playground equipment, activities requiring a lot of movement

Caretaker Advice

If you notice a combination of these symptoms in your child or are concerned that they may be having difficulties with their vestibular system, it’s important to speak with you pediatrician or occupational therapist. An occupational therapist can help you develop a treatment plan to best address your child’s specific needs.

In the mean time, there are many child-directed movement based activities that you can provide. It is best to keep these activities structured, because too much spinning or swinging activities can cause changes in heart rate or breathing and for some kids nausea or vomiting.

Overseeing your child’s vestibular activities is also important because if left self directed, your child is likely to be over active or not active enough. Over active and unsupervised little ones are much more prone to accidents and injuries. Children who aren’t active enough are more likely to experience a multitude of health problems. Helping your child self regulate with activities that provide them with the vestibular input they are seeking will help support healthy vestibular system development.

At Home Vestibular System Activities Examples:

* Cartwheels and somersaults

* Riding bikes

* Encouraging your child to lay on their stomach while they color or do a puzzle

* Climbing, running and hanging on playground equipment

* Hanging upside down

* Stair climbing

* Jumping on a trampoline

* Homemade crash pad-you can find a cheap (possibly free) and simple tutorial here:

* Jumping rope

* Wheelbarrow races- one person holds your child’s legs and the child uses their arms to move around.

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