To Fidget, or Not to Fidg
The current trend for hand-held fidget toys –
spinners, cubes, spiky or foam balls, putty etc. –
has focused a spotlight on the world of attention
needs and sensory processing problems. For some
people, these fidget toys are an essential tool to
help them function, for others they are a fun toy
and a distraction that has annoyed teachers to the
point of banning fidget spinners in their schools.
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IGNIS
There are several theories about why
we fidget. Research shows that one
major reason we fidget is as a coping
mechanism to self-regulate sensory
needs. Life bombards you with sights,
sounds, textures, tastes and smells.
Some days you just can’t ignore the
scratchy feeling of a label in your
clothing, the flicker of fluorescent
lighting, the smell of coff ee. You
reject food because of its texture or
look, or can’t cope with your friend’s
favourite ringtone. Many people
develop fidgeting mechanisms for
sensory overload without realising