Fidgets: Toys or Tools

Are fidgets just toys that should be put away at the sound of the bell?  Are fidgets really a Special Needs’ tool to be used all day at home and in class with the blessing of both parents and teachers and on the recommendation of professionals?

Before choosing sides about the appropriate use of fidgets, one must understand the basic premise of their usefulness and what problems they can alleviate.

Many children can rarely sit still. It is not because they do not want to but because they simply cannot. These children have an uncontrollable urge to move or fidget. Their overwhelming need of movement is beyond their control. Punishment is counterproductive. For many, their brains are telling their bodies to get up and move to help them listen and attend BETTER.

According to Sydney Zentall, Ph.D., of Purdue University, an activity that uses a sense other than that required for the primary task — listening to music while reading a social studies textbook — can enhance performance in children with ADHD. Doing two things at once, she found, focuses the brain on the primary task.

Based on the collected stories of hundreds of people, authors Roland Rotz, Ph.D. — a licensed child and adult psychologist — and Sarah D. Wright, M.S., A.C.T. – a professional AD/HD coach – propose sifting the paradigm: Give yourself permission to fidget. “Restlessness is not just an expression of trying to ‘get out of the fidgets’ in order to become calm. It is rather an attempt to self-arouse to become focused.” So there we have it, a fidget is used to de-stress the body and help increase focus and attention.

Fidgets have particular properties that intrigue sensory systems. The premise is that children with special needs with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette’s syndrome, autism, anxiety disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), reduce their fidgeting and increase their focus through the handling of a fidget. Busy the hands to calm the mind.

Most adults can relate to a fidget, as they frequently use their own brand of fidget every day. For example, we often doodle, wind and unwind the telephone cord, or play with our pen. We do this naturally, almost subconsciously, to keep focused, and our brain thinking better. A little boy's answer about his new toy was: "No, a toy is for playing, this is a fidget, it is for thinking."

Fidgeting is moving away from its old stigma and now it is considered an accepted coping mechanism to stay on task. Fidgeting facilitates focus for listening, talking and thinking? It is now accepted that excessive movement does NOT prevent learning but actually facilitates it.

Understanding what is going on in these Special Needs children and proactively choosing an appropriate strategy is the essence of the fidget approach. Occupational therapist and teachers agree that fidgets effectively increase engagement and on-task behavior in learners.

To sum it up, NO, fidgets are not toys. The chewable fidgets like Kid Companions chewelry HAVE a rightful place in school. The use of fidgets should be among the accommodations allowed in schools and noted in IEP's.  Fidgets are a necessary coping tool and a life saver to parents, to kids and  naturally to teachers.

What are the qualities you and your child look for in a fidget?

Related Posts:
Hyperactive, Impulsive, Inattentive Children
Tactics Tackling Homework With Your ADHD Child

Children and Teens With ADHD and Depression
Michael Phelps ~ ADHD Did Not Stop Him
Chewing and Biting Tip- Chewing Is a Form Of Moving

Picky, Picky Pete by Michele Griffin ~ A Review

Great book to read to your own family
and to be read to a whole class.

Picky, Picky Pete ~ A Boy and His Sensory Challenges ~ 2010 Book of the Year Award by Creative Child Magazine ~
The 48 page paperback is beautifully illustrated and written by Michele Griffin an occupational therapist. It is another great picture book for all families coping with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and for all who want to learn more about SPD.

The reader will quickly grow aware of the difficulties Pete and his mom must face each morning just to get ‘extra-sensitive’ Pete ready for school. The class in the photo, taken at Pasadena Elementary School in April 2010, surely understood the challenges faced by their friends with SPD much better after their guest author shared Pete's story with them.

The expressions on her characters’ faces and their conversations allow us to feel the frustrations, pain and love that flows between mother and child. After their trying morning and when Pete is finally in the school bus he says to his mom:

“I love you, Mom…morning , day, and night.

I am sorry when I start to fight.”

Many parents will relate to the mom as a tear rolls down her cheek as she waves to Pete… one more morning over…how many more like this?

Pasadena Elementary School in April 2010

Written in easy to read language for beginner readers, the words flow along with many rhyming couplets:

“Put on my socks! Put on my shoes!

Grass and sand give me the blues!

But make sure that they are on just right,

Seams in place and not too tight.”

To facilitate comprehension and read-alouds, Pete’s word’s are written in RED, his mother’s in PURPLE, and the narration in BLUE.

Teachers and parents will want to have this wonderful book to share with their children. The last pages have convenient resource lists of web sites, similar books dealing with Sensory Processing Disorder and catalogue companies that provide products for kids with Special Needs.

Michele Griffen is both
author and illustrator  

About the author:

Michele Griffin was born and raised on Long Island, New York. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences and her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy.

From her site, Michelle tells us her own three children, along with her prior treatment experience as an occupational therapist, often inspire her to create new books, activities, or projects for children. Knowing her books will be used to help children and parents cope during challenging times is often what fuels her writing. She’s also particularly interested in creating fun things that enhance sensory and fine motor development in children.

I am sure, like Michele says, these books will help foster communication, tolerance and understanding between parents and children with sensory processing disorder.

Do you know of other resources for parents looking for SPD information?

Read post on 2010 Book of the Year Award  here
Picky, Picky Pete by Michele Griffin, OT 
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 48
Price: $14.95
Purchase: http://www.sensoryworld.com/childrensbooks.html