If you have a child or you are on Facebook, you’ve probably heard of them-Fidget spinners – the kid craze that began sweeping the nation in April 2017. You’ve also probably noticed that they have their have their advocates and their opponents. Supporters say they are great to help kids with ADD and autism release stress while in school. Detractors insist it’s a toy that should be banished from the classroom.
A fidget spinner is a small device containing ball bearings that the child holds in one hand and spins with the other, seemingly to relive stress. Marketers say the sensory experience is supposed to have a calming effect on children with anxiety, autism or ADHD, or - they claim - it can even heighten creativity.
Amazon is awash with a huge variety of the gadgets. And if your kids are do-it-yourselfers, they can even make their own out of Legos.
School districts from California to the Carolinas have banned the devices, saying they may help some kids focus, but they distract the other students in their classrooms.
Recently, a lead poisoning prevention advocate found dangerous amounts of lead in some – but not all - fidget spinners that she tested. Also, a fidget spinner choking incident in Texas has been widely reported.
Do fidget spinners have any redeeming value?
There is some evidence that sensory toys may help soothe children who have sensory processing issues. And a study in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology looked at the physical activity of kids with ADHD. Researchers found that allowing kids to squirm and move their limbs did improve their focus. Fidget spinners, however, were not a part of the study.
There is even a Fidget Spinner Association (FSA)! It is an international body, that advocates for both pinners and fidgeters. FSA has launched a campaign to prevent K-12 schools in the UNS from banning the use of the devices. "FSA has launched an investigation into the actions of school officials, and we are currently exploring legal remedy to what we believe is an unlawful taking of private property," said Jill Dooley, Executive Director of FSA. "Fidget spinners are critical accessories for individuals with anxiety, ADHD, excess energy and fidgety hands."
According to Duke University professor and clinical psychologist Scott Kollins, who was quoted by Newsweek Magazine, “I know there’s lots of similar toys, just like there’s lots of other games and products marketed toward individuals who have ADHD, and there’s basically no scientific evidence that those things work across the board.”
Maryland-based occupational therapist Stephen Poss told WTOP Radio that, "Fidget objects are meant to be felt, so that visual attention can be focused on the teacher. Spinner toys are visually distracting, and I think that's their major drawback."
There are many much quieter and less visually distracting fidget toys that could be used as a substitute for the fidget spinner, in case your child’s school system has banned them. They include koosh balls, stress balls, corks, fidget pens, spiky sensory rings, gear rings, therapy putty, smooth stones, rubber bands, worry beads, and even paper clips.
Additionally, there are calming strategies you can employ to help your fidgety child settle down. These range from physical exercise to breathing and mindfulness.
What do you think of fidget spinners? Has your child tried one? Tell us your experience in our Facebook page.
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