Introduction
The vestibular system consists of the vestibule, semicircular canals, and membrane labyrinth. These components are located within the vestibule and semicircular canals and comprise the inner ear’s bony labyrinth. The vestibule provides the body with information that aids in maintaining homeostasis (Kranowitz, 2005). Consequently, the vestibular system is a sensory system that provides the brain with information regarding motion, head position, and spatial orientation. It participates in motor functions that assist humans in maintaining posture, balance, and head and body stability during movement (Kranowitz, 2005). Consequently, a fully functioning vestibular system is required for good mobility and balance.
Functions of the Vestibular System
The vestibular system provides information about the position of our bodies and heads concerning the ground below us. The system receives sensory information about balance and movement from the neck, eyes, and body (Kranowitz, 2005). It assists in generating muscle tones, which enables humans to move in a fluid and effective manner. The individual can use the system to determine whether they are moving or standing still and whether the items around them are moving or static concerning their body. The system is responsible for telling people which way they are going and how fast they are going.
Vestibular Dysfunction
Head injuries, aging, and viral infections are the most common causes of vestibular dysfunction. Vestibular disorders are triggered or exacerbated by several other conditions, including genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Unsteadiness, imbalance, or loss of equilibrium are the hallmarks of disequilibrium, which is frequently accompanied by a sense of being disoriented in space (Kranowitz, 2005). Vestibular dysfunction is a disruption in the body’s balance system that an injury can cause to the vestibular system of the inner ear, the processing centers of the central nervous system, or both of these. A child who suffers from vestibular dysfunction may have problems integrating information about movement effectively, might be undersensitive to movement, or may have problems with both oversensitivity and under sensitivity. As a result, the child has difficulties with both their vision and their ability to communicate.
Behavior Characteristics of Children with Sensory Modulation Disorder
Vestibular Over-Responsivity
Children with an overly sensitive vestibular system may mistakenly interpret movements that do not pose a threat as dangerous, which may cause a fight-or-flight reaction to being triggered in their sympathetic nervous systems. Altering the child’s head position, moving onto an elevated or unstable surface, or going through backspace might trigger the fight-or-flight response in gravitationally insecure children (May-Benson et al., 2020). Since children with vestibular over-responsivity struggle with their sense of gravitational security, they often develop a phobia of activities like swinging and spinning and traveling on escalators and elevators.
Vestibular Under-Responsivity
Children with vestibular under-responsivity fail to recognize and properly process information from their other senses. They frequently look for additional sensory input, or they may require the assistance of others in order to register sensory input properly. Being clumsy, being able to spin without feeling dizzy, having difficulties with tasks that require bilateral integration, and having bad posture are all characteristics of under-responsiveness (May-Benson et al., 2020). Therefore, children who are under-responsive to feel the impacts on their bodies require more input than the usual child.
Vestibular Craving
A sensory-seeking disorder is known as vestibular craving, frequently referred to as vestibular-seeking behavior. Kranowitz (2005) identifies that the disorder is characterized by increased tolerance for movement. Children with this condition have an overwhelming need to spin, jump, and move their bodies in as many different ways as possible. They frequently exhibit no fear of heights or other behaviors that are likely to terrify or frighten many other individuals.
Gravitational Insecurity
An extreme fear of movement not often perceived as dangerous is known as gravitational insecurity. The idea behind this is that most people have the sense that they are firmly planted on the ground and that they do not think they could suddenly float away because of gravity. Children may experience gravitational insecurity if they do not have the sense that they are firmly fixed on the earth (May-Benson et al., 2020). They may fear moving, being moved by someone else, or having their feet lifted. Children who have issues with their sense of gravitational security may fear activities such as jumping, going on swings, being picked up by another person, and sitting on chairs that are too high for their feet to contact the ground.
The Impact of Vestibular Sense Challenges to a Child’s Emotional Well-Being
Children with vestibular disorders experience physical and mental problems which affect them emotionally. The challenges emitted are unique to each child as they differ from one child to another. The mental, emotional, and behavioral effects of vestibular disorders can have a big effect, for better or worse, on a child’s ability to recover physically from vestibular illnesses and on their overall physical health (Bilgrei, 2022). Emotional experiences can potentially make changes in the body that are real and last. In the case of a vestibular disorder, a vicious cycle develops in which the initial physical symptoms of the disorder cause anxiety and other emotional responses, which in turn make dizziness, vertigo, and other vestibular symptoms worse.
Conclusion
Humans rely on a healthy vestibular system, which is crucial to their well-being. Vestibular disorders are the result of an interference in the system, which can present in a variety of different ways. It is essential to understand the emotional challenges children afflicted with vestibular disorders face since those with poor vestibular function are more anxious and rigid and lack self-control. As a result, it is necessary to provide these children with a peaceful atmosphere so they can relax and deal with the symptoms so they can get better.
References
Bilgrei, R. (2022). Emotional impacts of vestibular disorders. VeDA. Web.
Kranowitz, C. S. (2005). The out-of-sync child: Recognizing and coping with sensory processing disorder. Penguin.
May-Benson, T. A., de Mello Gentil, J. L., & Teasdale, A. (2020). Characteristics and prevalence of gravitational insecurity in children with sensory processing dysfunction. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 101, 103640.