Sensory therapy for vestibular hyposenstive

Vestibular Craving in Autism Definition: Vestibular craving refers to a child’s excessive need for movement and balance input due to sensory processing differences in the vestibular system — the system in the inner ear that helps control balance, posture, and spatial orientation. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often show sensory modulation issues — they may be under-responsive or over-responsive to sensory input. In vestibular craving, they seek intense movement experiences to satisfy their under-responsive vestibular system. ⸻ 🧠 Why It Happens • The vestibular system is not processing movement sensations efficiently. • The child’s brain “craves” more movement to register sensory input normally. • They may engage in repetitive, spinning, or jumping movements to feel “grounded” or calm. ⸻ 🚸 Common Behaviors Seen Children showing vestibular craving may: • Spin in circles repeatedly without dizziness • Jump or bounce excessively (on beds, couches, or trampolines) • Rock their body while sitting or standing • Run back and forth aimlessly • Hang upside down frequently • Love swings, merry-go-rounds, or car rides • Climb excessively or show no fear of heights ⸻ ⚠️ Possible Concerns • Difficulty in calming down after intense movement • Safety issues due to poor judgment of limits (e.g., climbing too high) • Difficulty focusing during seated tasks (classroom activities, therapy, etc.) • Over-stimulation leading to behavioral outbursts ⸻ 🧩 Therapeutic Approach (Sensory Integration) 1. Controlled Vestibular Input: Provide safe, planned movement activities such as: • Linear swinging (front–back or side–side) • Gentle rocking on therapy balls • Balance board activities • Scooter board rides • Obstacle courses 2. Combine with Proprioceptive Input: Heavy work activities help regulate after vestibular input — examples: • Pushing or pulling weighted objects • Animal walks (bear crawl, crab walk) • Jumping on trampolines with resistance bands 3. Structured “Sensory Diet”: An OT may design a daily routine that provides movement breaks at set times to prevent sensory overload or under-stimulation. 4. Gradual Tolerance Building: Slowly increase the intensity and duration of vestibular activities to improve sensory regulation and attention. ⸻ ✅ Goal of Therapy To help the child: • Achieve sensory balance (neither seeking nor avoiding too much movement) • Improve attention, emotional regulation, and motor planning • Safely participate in daily and classroom activities