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When it comes to sensory processing disorder, autism, or anything else that requires a deeper look at sensory inputs, it can oftentimes be overwhelming to learn new terms and phrases.
With that in mind, we wanted to give you an overview of what vestibular input is, what kind of therapy relates to it, as well as easy to implement vestibular input activities that you can start doing with your child.
The vestibular system helps us understand movement, balance, and where our bodies are in space.
Children can be under-responsive (sensory seekers) or over-responsive (gravitationally insecure) to vestibular input.
Purposeful vestibular activities, swinging, rocking, bouncing, or movement-based play, support regulation, coordination, and attention.
Slow, linear movement is generally calming; fast, rotary, or unpredictable movement is usually alerting.
Occupational therapists use vestibular activities as part of sensory integration therapy to help children build balance, coordination, and confidence.
Matching activities to your child’s sensory needs helps them feel safe, organized, and ready to learn or play.
The vestibular system includes parts of the inner ear and brain that are affected by movement. While it is a system all of us have, unless you have vestibular system dysfunction as a child, teen, or adult, you likely have little knowledge about the intricacies of this system.
While vestibular disorders can affect people across the lifespan, this article will talk specifically about vestibular processing as it relates to sensory integration and/or sensory processing disorder.
When occupational therapists talk about the sensory systems, most parents have never heard of the vestibular system, and yet it is a critical system because it affects development in other areas.
In it's simplest form, vestibular input is the sensation of any change in position, direction, or movement of the head.
The receptors are located in the inner ear and are activated by the fluid in the ear canals moving as you move. When you go upside down, for example, the fluid in your ear canals give your central nervous system information about your body's position in space.
Vestibular input gives our bodies information about whether we are moving with or against gravity, fast or slow, moving or still, and what direction we're headed. From infancy through adulthood, vestibular information contributes to the development of:
If you're a child who is processing vestibular information appropriately, you are able to move with control, balance, and (relative) safety. You feel comfortable jumping, climbing, swinging, and taking calculated risks in your play because your vestibular sense is providing accurate information about where your body is in space.
If you're a child who is demonstrating difficulty with processing vestibular information, you're not as confident as the child mentioned above. You may be under- or over-responsive to movement which will impact your overall activity. If you're under-responsive to vestibular input, you may be able to tolerate a lot of movement before it registers, therefore your body may be in constant motion.
If you are over-responsive, or hypersensitive, to vestibular input, you may not be able to handle movement at all! Because of this difficulty, you may avoid activities that challenge your balance and coordination.
Both of these children can present as uncoordinated and likely demonstrate ocular motor difficulties as well. The vestibular and visual systems work together when our central nervous systems are in accordance. Vestibular dysfunction can also manifest with difficulties tracking, focusing, and smoothly looking between two objects (saccades).
If a therapist has mentioned vestibular processing, some of the related behaviors you may observe are:
When looking at designing a sensory diet for your child, you want to take a close look at the type of vestibular stimulation that your child is receiving. There is a difference between swinging on a regular playground swing versus fast spinning on the tire swing. One provides linear, rhythmic, predictable vestibular input and another provides rotary, sometimes arrhythmic, unpredictable vestibular input (especially if the tire swing has multiple kids jumping on/off and changing up the directions!).
One type of swinging is calming and organizing (linear, rhythmic) while the other is alerting (rotary). An informed sensory diet will include specifically targeted vestibular activities to meet your child's individual sensory profile.
Alerting qualities of vestibular input can include:
Calming qualities of vestibular input can include:
The considerations for vestibular input also extend to how your child is moving - is he laying on his belly on the swing? Sitting upright? Hanging upside down? Laying on his side?
When you change positions, you change which inner ear canals are activated by the movement. Again, this should be a consideration when selecting your child's movement activities.
We created a YouTube Video to demonstrate our favorite vestibular activities!
Hammocks, cuddle or pod swings, wooden platform, inner tube, rope swing, trapeze, frog swings, bolster swing… each swing can target different skills and be used in different ways, so it's best to "consider a swing" with advice from your OT or get some ideas here.
Read all about sensory swings in our in-depth article found here.
Check out Harkla's new compression sensory swing!
You can do a lot with a simple 4-wheeled scooter. Check out this list of ideas here.
Rocking chairs, gliders, slides, porch swings, rocking horses - take a look around the house to see what you already have that moves. Often times, you can find something simple that can help out now.
Exercise balls or hippity hops - rolling, bouncing, upside down rocking. Anything like that can help. Small trampolines are also a great tool to use.
What can you do to move your body in new ways? Try log rolling, toe touches, obstacle courses, and active play!
Once you know what your child needs to help activate their vestibular system, you'll be able to see an opportunity for purposeful activity in so much more.
Have fun with your child and consider how much intensity of vestibular input is needed as you select your next play activity.
Children can experience vestibular input very differently depending on how their nervous system interprets movement. Some kids crave fast, intense movement all day long, while others feel fearful or overwhelmed by even small changes in head position. Understanding your child’s vestibular profile can help you choose the right activities and supports.
These children need more movement than average before their bodies register vestibular input. Because of this, they often seek out big, fast, or intense movement to feel regulated.
Common signs include:
Constant movement (running, spinning, jumping)
Difficulty sitting still
Ability to spin without getting dizzy
Challenges with balance or bilateral coordination
Poor posture or slouching
These kids often benefit from purposeful, structured vestibular input built into their day.
Some children are highly sensitive to movement and feel unsafe when their head changes position or when their feet leave the ground. This can look like “fearful behavior,” but it’s a sensory response, not a lack of confidence.
Common signs include:
Fear of swings, slides, or playground equipment
Anxiety with small position changes (leaning back, stepping off a curb)
Avoiding elevators, escalators, or fast movement
Preferring to stay close to the ground
Becoming easily overwhelmed during active play
These children benefit from slow, predictable, and supported vestibular input paired with calming proprioceptive input (heavy work).
An occupational therapist who is well versed in sensory integration treatment will design a comprehensive sensory diet with targeted vestibular-based activities. These activities will be targeted to your individual child's needs, so it's best to seek out a skilled clinician who can diagnose and treat vestibular dysfunction.
To find an SI-trained OT near you, check out STAR Institute's OT resource page here.
Did you know we have a podcast all about Vestibular Integration Therapy? We interviewed Kali Jacobs, an Occupational Therapist in Toronto.
You can offer vestibular input through simple everyday movement: swinging, rocking in a rocking chair, rolling on the floor, spinning on a desk chair (with supervision), scooter board play, bouncing on an exercise ball, or creating small obstacle courses. Even jumping, log rolling, or gentle upside-down play can provide meaningful vestibular input. Choose activities that match your child’s comfort level.
If your child is constantly moving, running, spinning, or crashing into things, they may have an under-responsive vestibular system. Their body needs more movement than typical to register that input, so they seek out big, intense activities to feel regulated. Offering structured vestibular activities throughout the day can help decrease unsafe or impulsive seeking behaviors.
Vestibular seekers may:
Spin without stopping
Hang upside down
Jump from high surfaces
Constantly fidget or move
Push limits during active play
Prefer fast, intense movement
These behaviors are the child’s way of meeting a sensory need, not “misbehavior.”
The effects vary depending on:
the type of movement
the child’s sensory profile
the speed, duration, and intensity
Calming vestibular input (slow, rhythmic, linear) may help regulate a child for 20–60 minutes, while alerting input (fast, rotary, unpredictable) can increase arousal immediately and may last several minutes to over an hour. Always monitor your child to see what type of movement helps them feel organized.
Too much vestibular input can overwhelm the nervous system, especially for children who are sensitive to movement. Watch for:
dizziness
nausea
headaches
sweating or looking pale
irritability or meltdowns
difficulty calming down
increased impulsive behavior
If you see these signs, stop the activity and offer grounding strategies like deep pressure, weighted input, or firm hugs.
Click here to check out this podcast's full show notes!
Click here to head to this podcast's full show notes
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andrea
January 30, 2023
Wow, I bought the compression swing, she loves it even asks to go to her bedroom to swing, she feels the stress to lay in her swing to feel tranquil. thanks again