Why Spinning Helps Some Neurodivergent Kids Regulate - And Why We Need to Pay Attention

I'd like you to meet Kyle, my youngest nephew. In our family Kyle is essentially a clone or a mini version of my son Ben. LITERALLY down to their mannerisms. Like his mom, aunts, grandmother, his brother and all his cousins; Kyle is neurodivergent. The exact diagnosis is still under investigation but we do know ADHD is one of them.

Kyle is almost 6 now, no longer a baby but when he was a little guy he almost immediately exhibited "signs" of being uniquely wired like his family before him.

Kyle is all the things. Wild, unhinged at times, emotional, kind, caring, destructive, creative and OMG sooooo funny. His snarky wit and sense of humor is clearly a family trait (Proud Auntie here...). Kyle also is fearless - which sends this auntie into anxiety when I hang out with them. EVERYTHING and I do mean EVERYTHING is an opportunity for him to break something and I am often wondering if that is a life goal he has.

Anyway Kyle also struggles with sleeping; specifically getting ready for bed. As a single mom of another neuro-complex little guy (Kyle's older brother Adam) my sister NEEDS them to sleep. So you can imagine how wonderful bed time is for her.

BUT not so much anymore.....

The Spinning Toy That Calmed My Nephew

My nephew received an occupational therapy (OT) toy for Christmas; a simple spinning seat. Every night, he sits on it, crisscross, spinning in circles, fast and repeatedly. At first, it seemed like a game, an outlet for energy. But then something fascinating happened:

Instead of getting more hyper, he became calmer. Spinning wasn’t overstimulating him; it was regulating him.

This has become a nightly ritual. After a full day of sensory input, emotions, and demands, he spins himself into calmness, making the transition to bedtime easier for both him and my sister.

At first, this seemed counterintuitive. Shouldn’t spinning aggressively increase his energy levels? Wouldn’t it make sleep harder?Not for neurodivergent individuals who need sensory input to regulate their nervous system. Here’s why: (Lets look at the science of what is happening...)

Understanding the Science: Why Spinning Calms Some Neurodivergent Individuals

?? Vestibular Input: The Brain’s Built-In Balance System

The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, helps us process movement, balance, and spatial awareness. For many neurodivergent individuals; especially those with ADHD or autism (which are two of the clinical diagnosis for my nephews) this system may function differently.

• Some individuals have an under-responsive vestibular system and need more movement to feel regulated.
• Others are over-responsive, meaning movement can feel overwhelming.
• Those who seek spinning or rocking may be using movement to find balance.

In Kyle's case, his body craves this sensory input. Spinning helps him achieve a state of regulation that he wouldn’t otherwise get through stillness.

?? Proprioceptive Input: Knowing Where Your Body Is in Space

Another key player in this process is the proprioceptive system, which helps us understand our body's position and movement. Engaging in activities like spinning, jumping, or deep pressure movements provides feedback that helps ground the nervous system.

For some, spinning acts as a form of self-regulation, much like deep-pressure hugs or rocking. The proprioceptive feedback from movement gives the brain predictable input, helping it settle rather than remain in an anxious or overstimulated state.

?? Dopamine, ADHD, and Sensory Regulation

Many of us, particularly those with ADHD, have dysregulated dopamine levels. Movement, especially repetitive movement can help:

• Increase dopamine and serotonin, supporting emotional regulation.
• Provide an anchor for focus and self-soothing, much like fidgeting does.
• Override racing thoughts or anxiety, creating a meditative effect.

For Kyle, his spinning ritual isn’t just play it’s a necessary sensory tool that helps him self-regulate and signal his body its time to sleep.

?? Activating the Parasympathetic Nervous System: The Unexpected Calm

Spinning might look like chaos, but for him, it signals his nervous system to slow down. This is because certain types of repetitive, rhythmic motion activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls rest and digestion.

Instead of overstimulation, this movement is a reset helping his brain transition from the fight-or-flight mode of the day into a regulated, calm state for sleep.

What Can We Learn from This?

For many neurodivergent individuals, movement isn’t just an outlet for energy; it’s a tool for regulation.

If we look beyond surface behaviors, we start to see the why behind them. Spinning, rocking, bouncing, pacing, fidgeting, these aren’t signs of distraction or hyperactivity. They are intentional, necessary self-regulation mechanisms.

As educators, parents, and professionals, we should ask:

• Are we allowing kids and adults to engage in sensory regulation in ways that support them?
• Are we reframing our perception of movement, not as misbehavior but as a tool for self-regulation?
• Are we providing options for neurodivergent individuals to meet their sensory needs without shame?

Understanding sensory regulation means rethinking how we define calm because for some like Kyle, his family before him and many others; stillness isn’t the answer.

For some, spinning is the path to peace.

For my sister, life as a single mom of two neuro-complex boys can be well.... exhausting but she is doing an INCREDIBLE job supporting them, providing them the tools they need to navigate a world that does not understand or at times accept them. She is their biggest advocate and the PERFECT mom chosen for them. I am in AWE of her strength (and stamina to be honest).

So as I have said many many times before... THIS neuro-complex life is my family's life. We don't know any other way. While I may not have letters after my name, or clinical/ licensing credentials - THIS is what we eat, sleep and breath as a family EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

Have you ever noticed a neurodivergent individual using movement as a self-regulation tool? Do you allow or have your created modalities to support movement in your classrooms (K-12 or Higher Ed) or even in the workplace? I'd love to hear what others are doing!

Let’s talk in the comments!

#Neurodiversity #ADHD #Autism #SensoryProcessing #SelfRegulation #OT #Neuroinclusion #Parenting