Sensory Seeking - Vestibular Sense Dysfunction

It has been found and seen very clearly, that Liam is a sensory seeker (at times...at other times he is very intolerant of movement).  The vestibular system is the unifying system.  It forms the basic relationship of a person to gravity and physical world.  All other types of sensation are processed in reference to this basic vestibular information.  Vestibular input seems to "prime" the entire nervous system to function effectively.  It tells us where our heads and bodies are in relation to the Earth's surface.  It tells us whether we are moving or standing still, whether objects are moving or motionless in relation to our body.  It also informs us what direction we are going in and how fast we are moving.

Liam is a crasher, he loves to run while pushing heavy objects (laundry baskets filled with toys or with his brother or sister in them) and crash the object into furniture or the walls.  He once had a plastic container with wheels, and would run all over the house crashing it into EVERYTHING.  He had a difficult time controlling himself in doing this.  At other times, we would observe him being VERY calm, almost sleepy and pleasant following 15 minutes of raking leaves or jumping on the trampoline (and would jump high enough to be able to see over the top of the net enclosure, at least 7 feet above the top of the trampoline base).  In homeschool time, I would activate Liam's attention and focus by having him drive one of his toy cars, quickly around the perimeter of the dining table, then come to sit back down.  Finally, if Liam is having a meltdown/tantrum, we firmly press on his shoulders or give him a squish (very tight bear hug) or quietly ask him to go to his IKEA pod-swing in his room and spin himself around in it very quickly.  This settles him almost immediately.

Liam is very tolerant of fast, rotary movements, spinning, swinging, jumping VERY high in a trampoline, climbing.  He has also taken to assuming upsidedown positions, hanging his head over the side of the couch or bed.  These activities will activate all of Liam's systems.  He will calm when angry, speak when unable to organize his speech, focuses on the task at hand when activated.  He will not, however, go so far and some sensory seekers and place himself in harms way.  He is very cautious, which may be a result of his tactile defensiveness. 

He is also affected by issues with Bilateral Coordination.  This is seen in watching him work with writing or using scissors.  He will use both hands for these tasks.  He has begun to establish a hand preference in writing, he seems to be a left-hand user, however, he will switch to the right at times.  In this, it is said that Liam has difficulty crossing his midline and will have difficulty coordinating both sides of his body when performing tasks.  This issue does seem to be improving, though.

Liam also seems to have characteristics of emotional insecurity.  He does have the "I can't" attitude when it comes to performing a requested task, especially when he hasn't been activated "vestibularily".

The following characteristics can be seen in Liam:

Liam is overresponsive to movements when they are unexpected (ie elevator movement...as a baby, he responded to elevator movement with primal terror, screaming and being completely terrified)

• he can at times be willful and uncooperative

Liam's increased tolerance for movement is characterized by

• the need to keep moving, as much as possible, in order to function.
• he may have trouble focusing on the task at hand
• he becomes more focused if he is able to stand up and walk around for a few seconds
• his craving for intense movement experiences, bouncing on teh furniture, using a rocking chair, turning in a swivel chair, assuming upside-down positions, or placing his head on the floor and pivoting around it.
• being a "thrill-seeker", enjoying fast-moving or spinning playground equipment, or seeking the fast and "scary" rides at an amusement park.
• not getting dizzy, even after twirling or spinning rapidly for a lengthy amount of time.
• enjoying swingin VERY high and/or for long periods of time
• liking seesaws, teeter-totters or trampolines more than other children.

As noted earlier, Liam displays Emotional Insecurity by

• getting easily frustrated and gives up VERY quickly
• is very reluctant to try new activities
• having low tolerance for potentially stressful situations
• having lowered self-esteem
• he responds negatively to compliments and praise
• being irritable in other' company and avoids or withdraws from people
• having difficulty making friends and relating to peers
• this is exaggerated by the fact that his language is poorly developed for his age group

We are also working on these issues with Liam.  When he is activated through movement, it is clear that he can function very highly.  That said, we are attempting to guide Liam to understand that there are appropriate times to use movement to activate his brain!