What it is
The vestibular system is the balance sense. It tells us:
- where the body is in relation to gravity for example, when you are spinning, jumping and swinging
- whether we are moving or standing still
- how fast we are going and in what direction
- where our body is in space.
Hypersensitive
| Potential signs | Potential impact | Strategies to assist with learning |
|---|---|---|
| Fearful reactions to ordinary movements | Avoid physical activities. | Allow alternative activities that do not require high vestibular input such as activities when sitting or standing up straight. Allow activities where the movement is controlled by the CYP and not by others. |
| Difficulty climbing or descending stairs or hills | ||
| Apprehensive about walking on uneven surfaces | ||
| Motion induced sickness such as fairground rides and cars | ||
| Fear of feet being off the ground | ||
| Difficulties rolling, laying on back and lifting legs in the air | ||
| Difficulties in positions where the head is down. |
Hyposensitive
| Potential signs | Potential impact | Strategies to assist with learning |
|---|---|---|
| Seeking intense movement experiences, for example body whirling, jumping or spinning, crashing, being upside down and running | Difficulties concentrating | Allow movement breaks to fulfil the need for movement, that the CYP is expected to participate well in activities. |
| Struggling to sit still. | May disturb others in the classroom | Movement breaks should include proprioceptive activities. |
| Sit on air cushion or gym ball. | ||
| Allow CYP to stand in the back of the classroom if able to concentrate and not disturb others. |
