The Vestibular System Where we are in space and in which direction are we heading Maude LeRoux Sofia, Bulgaria May 2012

The Vestibular System Modifies and coordinates information received from the visual, proprioceptive, auditory and tactile systems Informs our body where it is in relation to the pull of gravity so that we can maintain our equilibrium In combination with other systems, it allows us to differentiate upright, upside down, and lying down Tells us if we are moving or standing still and speeding up or slowing down

Vestibular System Most influence over other systems Body in space / Balance Pull of gravity on our body Determined by direction of head in space

The Vestibular System: Balance Balance is an integral part for maintaining posture when sitting, standing, walking, or performing functional tasks such as reaching for a cup on a shelf. It is related to maintaining an upright posture in both static (still) and dynamic (movement) conditions. Balance is assessed with eyes open and eyes closed, due to its strong relationship with the visual system and the tendency to compensate with the visual system to maintain balance, as opposed to truly using the receptors in the inner ears.

Balance Static Balance ability to maintain a desired body posture or position when the body is stationary Dynamic Balance ability to maintain a desired body posture or position when the body is moving

Clinical Observations: Balance One example of testing: Assess a client’s ability to stand on each foot. A typical response at 5 years and older would be to maintain this position for 10 seconds. Make sure to test both the right and left feet and observe if there is a difference between them. Assess the client’s ability to perform this task with eyes open and then eyes closed.

Balance: What to consider Is there a difference in performance time and quality between the right and left feet? Is there a difference when the client has his/her eyes open versus eyes closed? Does the client attempt to make compensations during this task, such as wrapping his/ her raised leg around the standing leg? Does the client fall? Does the client sway while performing this task?

Training Balance in Children Static Balance Stand on both feet extend your arm, hold an object of different weights, move your arms, Stand on one foot extend your arm, hold an object of different weights Dynamic Balance Walk across a low balance beam with or with object of different weights at slow or fast speed

The Reading Brain Motor Executive Function Working Comprehension Visual Auditory Motor Oral Working Memory General Vision Comprehension Lexical Sub-lexical Executive Function Semantic Attention Cognition Short Term Memory Long Term Memory Morphological The Reading Brain Parieto-temporal pathway Occipito-temporal pathway Orthographic Phonological General Sound

The vestibular system, the cochlea and the nervous system play a capital role in the processes implicated in: Energy The capacities for social interaction Attention The regulation of movement Regulation of the emotions

THE VESTIBULAR FUNCTION The vestibule is in the inner ear. It is in charge of the control of posture and balance. Each muscle of the body has a relationship with the vestibule which informs the brain of any body movement.

Postural Control Extensor System Flexor System Cocontraction Strength and Endurance

Awareness (Body Control Skills) Spatial Awareness-Understanding of the external spaces surrounding an individual and the individual’s ability to function motorically in and through space. Temporal Awareness-understanding of time relationships such as ability to predict the projectile’s time of arrival. Body Awareness-developing ability to know and understand names and functions of various body parts Directional awareness - understand and application of laterality and directionality.

Training of Awareness Location Pathways Directions Extensions Effort Self-space Straight General space Curved Identify body parts zigzag Directions Extensions Up/down Far/near Forward/backward Large/Small Right/left Effort Levels Fast/slow Low-Middle-High Strong/Light

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