Vestibular

Vestibular Processing

Body Movement and Balance

The vestibular system helps us know where our head is in space. It tells us: 

• If we are moving 

• How fast we are moving 

• In which direction we are moving 

The vestibular receptors are located in the inner ear. This system helps us balance, control our head, and coordinate our movements. 

How It Affects Us

The vestibular system plays a big role in how alert or calm we feel: 

• Fast movements (like spinning) can wake us up 

• Slow, steady movements (like rocking) can calm us down 

• Up-and-down or back-and-forth movements (like jumping on a trampoline) help organise the nervous system 

• Rotary movements (like spinning in circles) can be alerting or even disorganising 

Everyday Vestibular Activities

The vestibular system helps us do things like: 

• Bend over to pick up a bag 

• Travel in a car 

• Walk to class 

• Play sports 

It also helps with more subtle tasks like: 

• Sitting upright in class 

• Staying alert and focused 

• Looking up at the board and down to write 

• Moving in a coordinated way 

Movement Preferences

Children vary in how much they enjoy movement: 

• Some prefer quiet activities like reading 

• Others love physical play and movement 

Signs of Vestibular Processing Difficulties

Ask yourself if your child: 

• Is always moving or fidgeting 

• Avoids or craves activities where feet leave the ground 

• Holds their head stiffly or straight 

• Hesitates or fears climbing stairs or playground equipment 

• Is overly fearful or fearless of movement, heights, or falling 

• Gets dizzy easily—or never gets dizzy 

• Gets carsick or falls asleep quickly in vehicles

Under-Sensitive

• Craves rocking, swinging, or spinning 

Helpful activities: 

• Rocking horses 

• Swings and roundabouts 

• Seesaws 

• Catching balls 

• Practising walking up steps or curbs 

Over-Sensitive

• Struggles with sports and movement control 

• Has trouble stopping quickly 

• Gets carsick 

• Avoids activities where the head isn’t upright or feet leave the ground 

Helpful strategies: 

• Break activities into small steps 

• Use visual cues like finish lines

Activity Ideas

• Swing and drop beanbags into a target using feet 

• Slide into a safe crash area 

• Dance 

• Jump on a trampoline (watch for overstimulation) 

• Use a rocking horse or chair 

• Play with spinning toys 

• Roll or bounce on a gym ball 

Learning Impacts

Children with vestibular difficulties may: 

• Struggle with movement and balance 

• Have poor posture 

• Move with poor control 

• Seem tired or weak 

• Appear clumsy or uncoordinated