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The Vestibular System
Why Is It So Critical?
Of all the sensory systems that we talk about in sensory integration theory and treatment, the one that may be the most basic, yet the hardest to understand is the vestibular sense. This sensory system develops just a few weeks after conception and plays a very important role in a child’s early development. It was also probably one of the most important senses for our evolutionary ancestors. However, the vestibular sense is not familiar to many people. Children do not learn about it when they learn about the basic sensory systems and if adults know about this sense they may only be aware that it has something to do with balance. Understanding more about the vestibular system will be helpful to a better understanding of the types of problems children may have as well as the methods we use to address these problems.
As we all know, there are portions of our eyes and ears which “take in” sights and sounds and send that information to our brain. The parts of the vestibular sense which “take in” information to be sent to our brain are in the inner ear. One part is a set of fluid-filled canals which respond to movement and change of direction. The other part is a sack-like structure which responds to change of head position and gravitational pull. The information about movement and head position (that comes in through these structures) is sent to many different parts of the brain. This is one of the main reasons we are so concerned about this sensory system- it has many different functions which are important to our ability to do many things.
One important function of the vestibular system allows us to coordinate our eye movements with our head movements. This occurs in activities such as copying from a board (looking up and then back down at our work), turning our head to watch a moving object (as in watching a ball move across a soccer field), and even sometimes in looking across a page to read. These functions of the vestibular system probably help to explain why several studies have shown that up to half of the children with learning disorders show signs of vestibular inefficiencies.
The vestibular system is also important for helping us to develop and maintain normal muscle tone. Muscle tone is not the same as muscle strength, but it does allow us to hold our body in position and to maintain upright positions. The vestibular system is especially important in helping us to keep our head up. Many children with vestibular problems slouch at their desks, hold their heads up with their hands and generally seem to have low endurance. Balance and equilibrium are also very influenced by the vestibular system. In addition, our ability to coordinate both sides of our body together (as is needed in riding a bicycle or cutting with scissors) also require vestibular function. Finally, some aspects of language seem closely related to the way in which the vestibular system processes information.
“many children with vestibular problems slouch at their desks, hold their heads up with their hands”…
Considering all of these very basic and important functions, it is easy to see how a vestibular problem can create a very real, yet often invisible problem. All children need a great deal of movement in early development to support this important sense and its related many functions. However, once this system matures, there is a natural tendency to need and enjoy movement less than when we were younger. This trend sometimes results in adults wanting children to “sit still”. It is important for adults to understand that the movement children generally enjoy is actually important to their development.
What You Can Do To Help
The following are some ideas that can be used to help the vestibular system develop and function well:
Movement experiences are very important to the developing child. Be sure to make time for activities like swinging, sliding, riding the merry-go-rounds at the park, etc.
Encourage active, child-propelled movements rather than passive movement (e.g. never spin, twirl, or swing a child excessively or for prescribed lengths of time--this is sometimes erroneously recommended by individuals who quote, but do not understand, Ayres’ theories).
Experiment to see if your child has an easier time sitting up or doing tabletop work after movement activities (especially swinging or other movement activity that involves the head moving in different directions). Activation of the vestibular system often has a fairly immediate effect on the nervous system, and for some children, these activities can make desk type work much easier.
Encourage activities in which the child lies on his stomach and holds his head up. Try playing with building blocks or other toys in this position or try having children throw objects at a target while lying on their stomachs (e.g. on a sling swing at a park).
Encourage “bilateral” or two-sided activities such as jumping rope, swimming, biking, rowing, paddling, skating, etc.
Some children cannot pace themselves very well and may have reactions sometime after the activity. Discuss these activities with your therapist and plan appropriately for your child.
Too much swinging or spinning can have negative effects (over-activity, lethargy, changes in heart rate and breathing, etc.)
If your child is struggling in ways you think could be related to the ideas presented here, seek an assessment with an occupational therapist who is qualified to assess all aspects of sensory integration or, if your child has received an assessment and is receiving intervention, ask your therapist if any of these ideas may be helpful for your child; your therapist may provide additional suggestions as well.
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The Vestibular System: Why Is It So Critical© is part of a series of “Parent Pages” on the topic of sensory integration written by Zoe Mailloux, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA. This document may be reprinted for educational purposes with full title and copyright information included.