Making Sense of Sensory - Week 7: Understanding Vestibular Sensitivities 🌀

When we think about our senses, we often picture the five we learn in school: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. But the vestibular system is just as important.

It's our internal balance system, responsible for sensing movement, gravity, and direction.

It’s what helps us know where our head and body are in space, whether we’re spinning, still, upright, or upside down.

For neurodivergent individuals, this system might be over- or under-sensitive, which can affect everything from coordination and posture to comfort on swings, scooters, or even stairs.

Vestibular Over-Sensitivity (Vestibular Avoidant)

Someone with a hypersensitive vestibular system might find movement overwhelming, dizzying, or even scary.

Signs might include:

• Avoid swings, climbing frames, or being picked up

• Get motion sickness easily (e.g., in cars or on fairground rides)

• Feel anxious about head tilting or going upside down

• Prefer to stay still and resist rough play

  
  

How to support a vestibular avoider:

• Let them control the movement – give them options rather than surprises

• Introduce new motion slowly and predictably

• Encourage grounded play like crawling, squatting, or lying on the floor

• Be mindful of transitions like lying down or standing up quickly

  
  

Vestibular Under-Sensitivity (Vestibular Avoidant)(Vestibular Seeking)

An under-responsive vestibular system might need more intense movement to feel regulated or aware of body position.

Signs might include:

• Constantly spin, twirl, jump, or hang upside down

• Climb furniture or take big risks during play

• Rock back and forth or seek fast motion

• Struggle to sit still, especially for long periods

How to support a vestibular avoider:

• Provide safe ways to move, like trampolines, swings, scooters, or spinning seats

• Use movement breaks before focus-heavy tasks

• Try animal walks (like bear crawl or crab walk) to provide deep movement input

• Build movement into daily routines to help with regulation

  
  

Why It Matters 💡

Vestibular input plays a big role in attention, behaviour, and learning. If this sense is out of sync, it can be harder to feel calm, focused, or in control of your body. That’s why recognising and supporting vestibular needs is so important.

At NEST, we know there’s no one-size-fits-all. Whether someone avoids movement or craves it, we’re here to help find balance.

Next week, we’ll explore the proprioceptive sense, our body’s internal “map” that tells us where our limbs are and how much force we’re using.