By: Erica Bruno, MS, OTR/L

What is the vestibular system?

The vestibular system, one of our “hidden” senses, is made up of several structures located within the inner ear. It provides our brain with information about movement, head position, and the sense of where our bodies are in space. This information, in turn, generates reflexes that build the foundation for our participation in daily activities.

The vestibular system contributes to the development of balance, equilibrium, postural control, muscle tone, bilateral coordination (using both sides of the body simultaneously in a controlled and coordinated manner), hand dominance, and the stabilization of our eyes, head, and body during movement.

Why is it so important?

The vestibular sense is crucial for a child’s development and affects the way they navigate through life. A typically responsive vestibular system enables a child to feel secure and confident in their body so they can appropriately explore their environments, attend and engage to learn and refine skills, and rest. This allows our children to purposefully interact with people and objects across all of their environments in an effective and efficient manner, in order to continuously grow, develop, and learn.

Examples of activities the vestibular system can impact include:

  • Climbing or swinging from playground equipment
  • Sitting upright in a chair
  • Balancing on one foot to get dressed
  • Riding a bike
  • Kicking and catching a ball
  • Using the two sides of the body together to perform activities such as cutting with scissors or performing jumping jacks
  • Reading and writing

Signs of vestibular dysfunction

A breakdown in the vestibular system may cause a child to have difficulty with motor skills, attention, self-regulation, organization of behavior, communication, and modulation of arousal level.

It is possible to be either over- or under-responsive to vestibular input. Children who are over-responsive may seem frequently overwhelmed by their environment, may not engage and play in the same way as same-aged peers, and may prefer sedentary activities. Children who are under-responsive may seek out excessive movement, have difficulty sitting still, and take excessive risk without safety awareness. These behaviors tell us that the child’s vestibular system may not be providing accurate feedback, which is interfering with participation in age-appropriate activities.

Red Flags:

  • Limited participation in age-appropriate activities
  • Difficulty with fine, visual, and/or gross motor skills
  • Poor balance
  • Difficulty with reading or writing
  • Delayed emergence of hand dominance
  • Frequently draping body over objects, tripping, falling
  • Difficulty with attention and self-regulation

If you suspect your child may be experiencing difficulties due to a breakdown in the vestibular system, consult with your occupational therapist. Occupational therapists are highly skilled and trained in understanding the vestibular system, along with all of the sensory systems, and can make recommendations to help your child succeed and fully participate in all of their environments and daily activities without limitations.