How to Recognize Children's Vestibular Sense Problems

Your vestibular sense serves as your gravitational guide, telling you what's up and what's down. It basically lets you know where you are in space. Children with vestibular sense problems may overreact or underreact to movement. If you suspect that your child is having difficulty processing his vestibular senses, there are few things to look for.

Instructions

• 1

  Notice how your child reacts to typical childhood activities on the playground. If he's uncomfortable with movement, he may resist rides down the slide or opportunities to swing. If he needs intense movement he may never seem satisfied with how high he goes or how fast he spins.

• 2

  Think about your child's reaction to new situations involving movement. If she's uncomfortable with movement, she may avoid the situation or move extremely slowly. Children who under respond to movement, may move too quickly, and appear risky in their behavior.

• 3

  Reflect on how your child reacts to elevators. Children who are uncomfortable with movement may refuse to go on escalators or elevators. Some children experience nausea when riding in the car.

• 4

  Observe your child's behavior while going up and down stairs or stepping off curbs. If he holds too tightly to the banister or appears overly serious, he may have gravitational insecurity.

• 5

  Recognize that a child may have a vestibular sensory problem if she seems to crave excessive movement, such as jumping, bouncing, spinning or rocking. She may twirl repeatedly but never appear dizzy.

• 6

  Talk to your child's school about her behavior in class. Ask the teacher if she fidgets frequently. Many children with vestibular problems need to move frequently to feel where they are in space.