Deep Pressure Fidgets: weighted blankets, stuffed animals, and shoulder vests, compres- sion clothing, and more. Gross Motor Fidgets: balance boards, tram- polines, swings, rocking stools, exercise balls, and more. Oral Fidgets: chewerly (chewable jewelry), gum, sour candy, z-vibes, and more. Repetitive Motion Fidgets: chain fidgets, click rollers, fidget spinners, fidget cubes, spinner ringers, and more. Resistance Fidgets: firm putties, hand grips strengtheners, resistance bands, and more. Tactile Fidgets: stress balls, putties and doughs, tangles, pop-its, velcro strips, senso- ry rings, worry stones, and more.
actually work in multiple ways, with a variety of benefits. First, fidgets can help with sensory pro- cessing. Many life experiences can be over- whelming with unpredictable or abundant sights, sounds, smells, feelings, and tastes, too. By providing predictable sensory stim- ulation and input through touch, pressure and movement, fidget users can regulate and balance their nervous system. Second, they can support self-regulation. Small, repetitive movements can provide an individual with a sense of calm and possibly reduce their stress and anxiety. Allowing the body to find a rhythm allows a release of nervous energy. Third, fidgets can help build sustained at- tention. Through releasing a bit of energy, fid- geting can improve focus. Allowing the body to move in a concentrated and rhythmic way can give the brain the focus needed to attend a task in a more meaningful way. Regulated. Calm. Focused. The abundant and deep benefits of fidgets definitely should urge society to reclassify them from mere toys to true tools. WHO BENEFITS FROM FIDGETS An individual does not require a diagnosis of any sort to enjoy a fidget’s benefits. Any- one looking to hone their focus or enjoy an exhale of relief from the world’s stressors can
pick up a fidget and give it a whirl. Feel itchy with stress? Take a moment and try bouncing a leg, flexing fingers to a beat, chewing some sour-flavored gum, or squishing a stress ball. With all of that said, individuals with anxiety and neurodivergent individuals with ADHD, autism, or sensory processing disor- ders may benefit from adding fidgets to their arsenal of everyday tools used to navigate life. The benefits are the same. The main difference between neurotypical vs. neurodi- vergent use of fidgets would be that the level of need would affect the frequency of use.
REINTRODUCING FIDGETS, TO THE CLASSROOM (AND BOARDROOM, AND BEYOND!
Kids will be kids! And children playing with fidgets in an unintentional, unruly way may have teachers considering rules regarding fidgeting. However, when used intentionally and with clear expectations, they can be a helpful tool rather than a distraction. A classroom with students that are regulated, calm, and focused is also a classroom that is set up for success and lots of learning! So whether a child is using a fidget at home or at school or whether an adult is embarking on a fidget finding journey of their own, it is clear: Fidgets are so much more than just a fad!
Visual Fidgets: bubblers, glitter jars, sand jars, lava lamps, and more.
HOW FIDGETS WORK While it may appear that fidgets just keep the user occupied, there is much more than meets the eye in terms of the purpose and the benefits of these sensory tools. Fidgets
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