Benjamin did alot of spinning when he was younger. He will be 9 in September. He does spin when he is over-stimulated and over-whelmed by the ennvironment, distressed. At that point, he's done and we need to go home. I think he does it to try and regualte or ground himself. He never got dizzy , either. He loves those computerized race tracks, the simulated races. Those things make me weave and bob about. He gets thrills by it, doesn't bother him in the least. I have to limeit that sort of thing, because it can send him into manic-like behavior. He has had full-blown manic episodes before, so I don't want to let him get anywhere close to mania. mania is scary-ugly.
My daughter has major signs of pdd/aspergers but apt is in Sept. We went to the park and it has a merry-a-go-round. I normally can't move it bec. the circling makes me sick. My hubby put my daughter on the merry-a-go-round and she loved it. When she got off, she was so happy (rare to show this much happy emotion), she flapped and flapped and moved her arms out in a circle and flapped. My question is does anyones kid get happy/flap hands after merry-a-go-round? Or spinning things?
Her has never gotten dizzy but also loves running in circles.
She does have SID, I have her on a special diet. My aunts an OT but she could only help HER with the basicS (SHE LIVES 3,000 MILES AWAY) but she deals with older people. ALSo, she has an OT for school but she works with her writting. She can write, so maybe they can work with her opening jars, door knobs, tie shoe, flush toilet etc. I'll get a referral to an OT in the area.
Yeah, spinning is a favorite activity of MANY kids on the spectrum. And from what I've heard (this isn't really true with my son), is that many of these kids never get dizzy. They can spin like crazy, then walk away like nothing ever happened....unlike me who basically weaves like a drunk person.
It's sensory input at it's finest.
Sarah can turn forever and not get dizzy...I make her stop because it freaks me out.. it is not something she seeks and she does it rarely but so strange she doesnt fall over? anna2boys what is Astranaut Training. Hi AmberWaves:Tuhina, "We need to go to TEXAS!"
(We are all puzzled by this ...). Conversation goes on, how long does it take to drive there, etc. ... and we are still wondering ... TEXAS??? We have been through a corner of Texas, but never stayed, we have no friends there ... on and on she went.
FINALLY, she explains, as if it is supposed to be obvious, "BECAUSE THE CAROUSEL IS THERE!"
"The" carousel at a mall near us, went to TEXAS for renovations ... TWO YEARS ago. We now frequent one at another mall.
So ... I would say she likes carousels.
The official word for this stimulation is vestibular. My son seeks out vestibular input by swinging on a swingset -- it really helps him calm himself.
Forgot to add that the following websites will help you get a better understanding of your child's sensory issues and needs:
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-processin g-disorder-checklist.html - for identifying sensory symptoms
http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/archive/mannerism.html #Chart - for identifying self-stimulating behaviors ("stims") under various sensory categories
Take her to an occupational therapist who specializes in sensory integration dysfunction. They have tests they use to determine what sort of sensory issues an individual has. Lots of kids on the autism spectrum spin for the stimulation. It helps them "organize" their bodies. Speak to the OT about this, too.Both of my kids have vestibular issues...my 10 yr old has been going to an OT that does Therapeutic Listening and Astranaut Training...this really helps to normalize their reaction to spinning (by getting dizzy)...the reason they don't get dizzy is that their eyes and ears do not respond like they should...after a session the therapist is looking to see if the eyes dance after spinning!!