Before placing an order for the stress ball, you should first consult your child’s occupational therapist who will advise you on the best fidget ball. Autism is recognized in children aged 2 or 3.While squeezing the stress ball, your child’s hand and arm muscles are strengthened, and the grip is enhanced, making them stronger and they may be able to hold items independently. Simply put, squeezing or squishing the stress ball sends sensory signals that occupy one part of the child’s brain, the anxious one, making them attentive.Ĭhildren with autism also have motor development issues. This works the same way you feel when you squeeze the StringyBall when you are stressed, but you have to work or prevent yourself from an outburst. Now, visualize feeling that way all the time, stressful, right? Unfortunately, that is how children with autism feel and the stress balls help in reducing the anxiety. To make you understand what these kids go through, imagine how you feel and look when you are anxious. They have been shown to be the most desirable solution for autism during treatment because they are a needed source of distraction that reduces the anxiety levels in the children. The most common stress or fidget toys used for children with autism make squishy noises while others require physical manipulation to move. Stress balls are a major source for maintaining equilibrium. They require a form of equilibrium, which, sadly, is a challenge to achieve, when sensory neurons fire in a thousand or more different directions.Īre the stress balls and fidget toys necessary for autism? Therefore, children who have autism need a balance in their sensory system. Such unregulated sensory system has also been shown not to process intercepted information well. That is, your child may respond negatively to the stimuli mentioned above yet at other times, they embrace or even crave the stimuli. Too much light, noise, smells, some tastes, or feel of items affect them positively and negatively. This is associated with extreme sensory issues where the child is overly sensitive to some and most sensory stimuli. Motor and cognitive abilities are impaired in children with autism. Environmental factors exacerbate the condition. ![]() It is a genetic disorder that affects brain development in children, and it transitions to adulthood. They can listen and stay attentive for longer durations.Īutism isn’t curable. Children who use stress balls have been shown to have heightened concentration in the classroom. This is primarily because of their curiosity and the fact that a child’s interest is piqued even by the smallest item or moving insect. Whether you are a parent or not, you will admit that children are the most restless beings. There is more blood flow to the hands, and this also enhances the growth of muscles resulting in a firmer grip. Just like when you work out, there is increased blood flow to your extremities and other parts of the body. This relieves stress, making writing easier.īesides the stress relief, dexterity and hand strength improves, tremendously enhancing your child’s grip on a pen. When the pressure is let off the ball, tension leaves the arms and hands. However, squeezing and squishing the stress ball contracts hand and arm muscles. This means that holding a pen or pencil and writing correctly could be problematic. This may seem like a lot of benefits derived from simple squeezing or squishing of a ball, right? Well, besides attention, the following advantages are seen when children are introduced to use the squeeze ball:Ī child’s arms and hands are weak, in most cases. ![]() The toys and stress balls are effective self-regulatory tools that help children to focus more, be attentive, listen, and be calm. What you may not know is that children also deal with stress, anxiety and developmental issues that warrant the use of stress or fidget balls and toys. Squeeze balls have been used for ages by adults as anxiety and stress busters. ![]() In ADD, ADHD, Autism 4 Benefits of Stress Balls for Children - Does Your Child Need a Stress Ball?Ĭhildren who have autism or ADD/ADHD use Stress Balls as a way to keep calm and stay focused, as squeezing the stress ball sends sensory signals that occupy one part of the child’s brain, the anxious one, making them attentive.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |