By Al Najma Center – Occupational Therapy Insights
Have you ever noticed your child getting dizzy easily, avoiding swings, or constantly seeking motion like spinning or jumping? These behaviors might be linked to how their brain processes movement and balance—something we call vestibular processing.
🧠 What Is the Vestibular System?
The vestibular system is our body’s balance and movement sense. Located in the inner ear, it helps us know where our body is in space—whether we’re moving fast or slow, standing still, or upside down.
For most of us, this system works automatically. But for some children, especially those with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), the brain struggles to interpret vestibular information correctly. This can lead to either over-responsivity (being too sensitive to movement) or under-responsivity (constantly craving movement).
🚸 How Vestibular Difficulties May Look in Daily Life
Children with vestibular processing challenges may show a mix of physical, behavioral, and emotional signs.
Common Signs You Might Notice:
►Frequent tripping or bumping into things.
► Poor balance or clumsiness during play.
► Slouching or appearing “floppy” when sitting.
► Fear of swings, slides, or elevators.
► Constant movement—spinning, running, or rocking nonstop.
► Motion sickness during car rides.
► Trouble sitting still and paying attention.
► Avoidance of playground or sports activities.
► Feeling anxious or frustrated during movement tasks.
These aren’t just “habits”—they’re often the body’s way of coping with how it experiences movement.
🧩 Types of Vestibular Difficulties
Occupational therapists often see three main patterns related to vestibular processing:
1. Vestibular Bilateral Integration and Sequencing Disorder (VBIS)
→ Difficulty with timing and coordination.
→ Trouble catching a ball, skipping, or coordinating both sides of the body.
2. Postural Difficulties
→ Weak muscle tone and poor stability.
→ Difficulty maintaining upright posture or balance.
3. Somatodyspraxia
→ Challenges planning and carrying out new movements.
→ Appears clumsy or unsure of how to move during play or daily tasks.
💬 Why It Affects Learning and Emotions
When the vestibular system isn’t working smoothly, children can find it hard to focus, read, write, or participate in group play. Tasks like sitting at a desk, copying from the board, or even following movement directions can feel overwhelming.
Emotionally, this may look like:
•Sudden mood changes
•Frustration or meltdowns during active play
• Avoidance of social or physical games
•Low confidence in movement-based activities
🧒 How Occupational Therapy Can Help
At Al Najma Center, our occupational therapists use play-based and sensory integration approaches to help children strengthen their vestibular processing. Therapy is fun, safe, and tailored to each child’s comfort level and sensory needs.
Our OT sessions may include:
♦ Swing-based activities (linear and rotary) to build movement tolerance
♦ Balance and obstacle coursesto improve postural control and coordination
♦ Scooter board and climbing gamesto support bilateral body use
♦ Eye-movement and head-movement activities to strengthen focus and reading skills
♦ Graded exposurefor children who fear motion—slowly building confidence in movement
Each session helps children gain better control over their body, improve attention, and enjoy movement in everyday life.
🏡 Tips for Parents at Home
You can support your child’s vestibular development through everyday play:
⇒ Encourage gentle swinging or rocking in a controlled way
⇒ Try yoga or simple balance poses together
⇒ Play games that involve head movement (like “Simon Says”)
⇒ Allow safe spinning or jumping on soft surfaces when needed
⇒ Keep activities predictable to reduce anxiety about motion
🌈 The Goal: Confident, Happy Movement
When children feel safe and confident in how their body moves, everything else—focus, coordination, and emotional regulation—starts to improve.
At Al Najma Center, we help children find balance not just in their bodies but also in their daily lives.
If you’ve noticed your child struggling with balance, coordination, or movement sensitivity, our occupational therapy team can guide you through assessment and intervention options designed specifically for your child’s needs.
✨ Al Najma Center – Helping children move, play, and grow with confidence. ✨
Book a consultation with our occupational therapy team to learn more about vestibular processing and how we can support your child’s sensory development.
