Sensory Processing Disorder: Vestibular Dysfunction

Vestibular processing difficulties, or vestibular dysfunction, can arise due to various factors. However, in some cases, children may develop it without any identifiable cause.

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What Is the Vestibular System?

The vestibular system detects movement and gravitational pull, and it provides information regarding the position of our head in space and acceleration and deceleration of movement. It is the first sensory system to fully develop in utero and is located in the inner ear. The vestibular system has strong neurological connections in the brain and is a major organizer of varied sensory input.

This system is considered the most influential sensory system and has tremendous impact on one’s ability to function daily. Directly or indirectly, the vestibular system influences nearly everything we do. It is the unifying system in our brain that modifies and coordinates information received from other systems, and it functions like a traffic cop, telling each sensation where and when it should go or stop.

How Does the Vestibular System Work?

The vestibular system helps us interpret the direction, speed, and magnitude of our movements, as well as our head’s position and orientation in space. This information is crucial for maintaining balance, coordinating movements and stabilizing vision, especially during activities like walking, running or turning.

This system influences various aspects of physical function, including posture, balance, movement, coordination, attention, arousal level, impulsivity and behavior.

Additionally, the vestibular system interacts with other sensory systems, such as vision and proprioception (sensory feedback from muscles and joints), to provide a comprehensive understanding of our body’s position and motion in the environment.

Children struggling with poor vestibular processing might exhibit traits such as inattention, lethargy, heightened anxiety, or a need for attention. They might encounter difficulties in tasks like reading or basic arithmetic. For these children, navigating school, participating in community activities, completing daily routines, or simply rising from bed in the morning can pose challenges.

What Causes Poor Vestibular Processing?

Poor vestibular processing, or vestibular dysfunction, can stem from various origins, with some cases occurring without a discernible cause.

Potential contributors to this condition include premature birth followed by an extended incubation period, exposure to excessive movement or loud noises during fetal or infant stages, inadequate physical interaction during infancy, recurring or severe ear infections, maternal substance abuse during pregnancy, or overall developmental delays and immaturity in nervous system development.

What Are Some Symptoms of Vestibular Processing Issues?

Children with poor vestibular processing may exhibit a variety of symptoms that can affect their daily functioning. These symptoms can vary in severity and presentation from one child to another. Some common symptoms include:

1. Balance and Coordination Issues: Difficulty maintaining balance, unsteady walking, frequent stumbling or falling, clumsiness, and coordination problems in activities like running, jumping or riding a bike.
2. Motion Sensitivity: Sensitivity to movement, such as feeling dizzy or nauseous in response to changes in motion or certain activities like swinging, spinning or riding in a car.
3. Spatial Awareness Challenges: Difficulty judging distances, navigating spaces, understanding spatial relationships, or accurately estimating the speed and direction of moving objects.
4. Poor Postural Control: Difficulty maintaining a stable posture, sitting still for extended periods, or adopting appropriate body positions during activities like sitting at a desk or participating in sports.
5. Visual Disturbances: Vision problems related to vestibular dysfunction, such as blurred or double vision, difficulty focusing, or eye tracking issues.
6. Motion-Induced Anxiety: Anxiety or fear related to movement or changes in position, leading to avoidance of certain activities or environments perceived as triggering.
7. Difficulty Concentrating: Challenges with attention, focus, and concentration, particularly in environments with sensory distractions or during activities requiring sustained mental effort.
8. Impulsivity and Hyperactivity: Increased impulsivity, restlessness or hyperactivity, possibly stemming from difficulties regulating sensory input and maintaining self-control.
9. Poor Academic Performance: Difficulty with tasks requiring visual-spatial skills, such as reading maps or solving geometric problems, as well as challenges with tasks requiring sustained attention or fine motor control, such as writing or drawing.
10. Emotional and Behavioral Issues: Mood swings, irritability, frustration, low frustration tolerance or emotional outbursts, possibly due to the stress and frustration of coping with vestibular processing difficulties.

It’s essential to consider these symptoms in the context of your child’s overall development and to seek evaluation and support from healthcare professionals, such as pediatricians, occupational therapists or specialists in vestibular disorders, for appropriate diagnosis and intervention.