What are Swing-based activities. What is Vestibular Stimulation.

Vestibular Stimulation is the input received from sensory experience when there is a change in position, direction, or movement of the head.

The vestibular system refers to the structures within the inner ear (the semi-circular canals) that detect movement and changes in the position of the head. Dysfunction with this system may manifest itself in two different ways. Some children may be overly sensitive to vestibular movements experienced on slides, ramps, merry-go-rounds, and climbers. They may have trouble finding balance while using stairs or escalators, fearful of walking on uneven terrains. As a result, they may show the presentation of a dull child, not very exploratory in space, prefers a sedentary lifestyle, is disoriented also refrains from participating in social setups like parks or schools. On the other extreme, the child may look like a severe seeker of movement in the form of jumping, bumping into things, climbing the furniture, spinning, being on the go always, and not sitting still, which ultimately leads to limited attention in learning-based activities.

Presentations like postural imbalance, walking difficulty, clumsiness, awkward movements, weak core muscles, difficulty with looking and listening responses, poor body awareness, undue fears, limited physical activity or extreme physical activity, fear of heights, attention difficulties, poor thinking, and judgment abilities are some of the indicators that child requires vestibular stimulation, or he should be given experiences on vestibular equipment in a graded manner according to his needs.

These sensory experiences can be provided in unstructured formats in home and play parks. Activities suggested in the domain are simply rocking, twirling, putting up bedsheet swings, and hammocks in the house, and rocking in hands or legs. These activities are unstructured but needthe supervision of parents under the guidance of a professional. Activity prescription What activity, how the method of doing it, and what the variations need to be thoroughly understood by the parent with the help of an Occupational therapist or Sensory Integration Therapist.

Activities suggested in the structured format are in Therapeutic setups which are clinics, special schools, or development centres. It is strongly suggested to the parents of children with sensory processing difficulties to prefer clinical-based therapies over home-based therapies asthey give children a wide variety of activities, and exploration of the environment, helping in building relationships with different peer groups and adult groups. As home-based activities always end up doing same the activities in the same way over time. Also, it becomes too exhausting for the parents to create a setup like a clinic at home.

Vestibular activities in the clinic are done on various equipment like platform swings linear or rotational, disc swings, trapeze swings, bolster swings, hammock swings, Lycraswings, tube swings, gym balls, scooter boards, Rocking boards, wobble boards, trampolines, ramps, ball pits, crash pads and many more. Making a child sit on this equipment is not therapy, and enjoying the experience is not therapy. Making necessary adaptations in the activities, as per the profile of the child, the arousal level of the child, and the sensory demands of a child is a process that helps in the integration of sensory systems and further facilitates the development process in learning, communication, and social functioning of child.

The effects of this vestibular stimulation are tremendous and long-standing. These activities can be done with children as young as 1 year old to adults as old as 50 years. As these activities show a wide range in age, they also show a wide range in their variations.

Some of the major changes produced after sustained and graded vestibular-based occupational therapy are

• Motor Skills Development- Vestibular stimulation plays a crucial role in developing and enhancing their balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. Engaging in activities that provide vestibular input can help improve motor planning and execution.
• Calming Effect - Vestibular input has a calming effect on children with Autism. It can help reduce anxiety levels and promote relaxation by triggering the release of endorphins, which are natural mood-regulating chemicals in the brain.
• Attention and Focus- Vestibular stimulation has the potential to enhance attention and focus in children with Autism. The movement involved in vestibular stimulation activities can stimulate the brain and increase alertness, resulting in improved concentration and attention span.
• Sensory Integration: Many have sensory processing differences, including challenges with sensory integration. Vestibular stimulation can help promote the integration of sensory information, which may result in improved attention, regulation, and overall sensory processing abilities.
• Emotional Regulation: Children often struggle with emotional regulation. The calming and organizing effects of vestibular stimulation can help reduce emotional outbursts, promote self-regulation, and improve emotional stability.

Vestibular Stimulation or Swing-based activities are not just activities or play, they encourage children to undergo a therapeutic process that helps them resolve various difficulties in areas of social functioning like daily living skills, academic skills, communication skills, or cognitive skills. These are activities of paramount importance that have maximum output through the sensory funnel. We should try to incorporate vestibular activities in structured as well as unstructured formats as prescribed by the Occupational Therapist or Sensory Integration Therapist.