Vestibular Sense

Growing YearsSensory integration refers to the brain’s ability to process sensory input from multiple sensory modalities, the five senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste), vestibular sense (balance and movement) and proprioception (knowing one’s position in space).

The vestibular sense receives input from the inner ear about equilibrium, gravitational changes, and movement experiences.

A child may be hypersensitivity to movement (over-responsive). The child may:

– dislike swings, ladders, slides, or merry-go-rounds, elevators and escalators

– afraid of heights, curbs, steps or going up or down stairs

– be terrified of falling, being tipped upside down, sideways or backwards, have a har

– time riding a bike, jumping, hopping, or balancing on one

– move slowly and cautiously refusing to take risks

– as an infant disliked baby swings and jumpers or being placed on stomach

– appear clumsy

– physically cling to an adult

A child may be hyposensitivity to movement (under-responsive). The child may:

– move constantly

– spin for hours without getting dizzy

– crave fast, spinning movements

– like to be in upside position, tossed in air, or swing as high as possible

– run, jump or hop instead of walking (always)

– rock while sitting  

A child with vestibular sensory problems may have poor muscle tone and/or coordination. The child may:

– appear “floppy” slumping down while working at a desk and easily tire

– sit in a “W sit” position on the floor

– have a difficult time with frequently switch hands for coloring, cutting, writing

– have problems with gross motor skills (jumping, catching a ball, climbing), fine motor skills (using pencils, silverware, combs, scissors, fasteners, zippers, buttons, doorknobs, handles and opening and closing things) and licking ice cream

– as an infant never crawled

Sensory integration continued next week.