Vestibular Integration

activities
S.Sobhiya vani M.Sc (Psy), MOT (Paediatics), FAOT (NDD)
NIEPMD
Introduction
• Vestibular sensory input is a powerful tool in helping children with
sensory needs.
• Every individual requires vestibular sensory input in natural
development.
• In fact, as infants, we are exposed to vestibular input that promotes
a natural and healthy development and integration of all systems.
• These sensory vestibular activities are
playful ways to promote performance and
tolerance to movement activities.
• They are also challenges against gravity to
help kids with difficulties in equilibrium,
balance, self-regulation, and adjusting to
typical sensory input.
WHAT IS THE
VESTIBULAR SYSTEM?

• The vestibular system operates through receptors in

the inner ear and in conjunction with position in
space, input from the eyes, and feedback from
muscle and joint receptors, is able to contribute to
posture and appropriate response of the visual
system to maintain a field of vision.
Cerebellum– Information
received in the cerebellum is
used to control posture, eye,
and head movements.
Oculomotor nuclei–
Information received here help
to correct the eyes with head
and body movements.
Spinal cord– Information
received here helps with
muscle tone and postural
adjustments.
Thalamus and cortex–
Information received here helps
with perception of motion and
spatial orientation and
integrates somatosensory
information.
Problems with the Vestibular processing
System
• Poor visual processing
• Poor spatial awareness
• Poor balance
• Difficulty with bilateral integration
• Sequencing deficits
• Poor visual-motor skills
• Poor constructional abilities
• Poor discrimination of body position
• Poor discrimination of movement
• Poor equilibrium
• Subtle difficulties discerning the orientation of head
• Trouble negotiating action sequences
 VESTIBULAR ACTIVITY MOVEMENTS:
• Depending on the individualized • Upside down movements
needs of the child, activities can • Horizontal movements
be designed to include
movements such as: • Challenges to balance
Prone swinging • Inverted head
• Seated swinging • Unstable base of support
• Standing swinging • Starts and stops in motion
• Linear movements • Changes in direction
• Vertical movements • Changes in speed
• Rotary movements
Angular movements
• Activities to develop the vestibular system include:
• Wheelbarrow walking
• Working over an exercise ball in prone (on tummy) and rocking back
and forth slowly
• Gentle rocking in a rocking chair
• Riding on a rocking horse
• Forward/backward rolls
• Bouncing on an exercise ball, space hopper etc.
• Introduce some gentle rotatory movements e.g. spinning slowly on
a wheeled chair, helicopter spinning (standing and spinning on the
spot) etc. 
• Spin jumps – point out a focal point (picture, clock etc.) and get child
to spin jump on the spot to face the item you call out, change
direction of spin from left to right. Try 180 degree turns as well as 90
degrees.
• Playing games/songs that have a vestibular element e.g. row, row,
row your boat, head, shoulders, knees and toes etc.
Indoor: Vestibular & Proprioception
Outdoor: Vestibular & Proprioception
PRECAUTIONS FOR VESTIBULAR
SENSORY INPUT
• Vestibular input is extremely powerful.
• Sensory overload or sensory disorientation can occur even when the
child appeared to respond well to sensations during the actual
activity or therapy session.
• Additionally, children with impaired sensory systems may not be
able to recognize when they have reached a point of “too much”
input during the treatment activity.

• Sensory overload presents with pupil dilation, sweaty palms,

changes in respiration, and disorientation.