What Disorders Do Fidget Toys Help With?

Fidget toys can be beneficial for individuals with various neurodiverse conditions, as they help with sensory regulation, emotional control, and focus. Here's a breakdown of the disorders and conditions where fidget toys are commonly used as a therapeutic tool:

1. ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

• How it Helps: Fidget toys are often used by individuals with ADHD to manage impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention. These toys provide a way to channel excess energy, helping individuals stay focused during tasks like studying or meetings.
• Examples: Items like fidget spinners, stress balls, or fidget cubes allow users to fidget in a controlled way, which may enhance concentration and reduce restlessness.

2. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• How it Helps: Individuals with autism often experience sensory sensitivities and may use fidget toys for self-regulation and calming. The repetitive nature of these toys can offer comfort, reduce anxiety, and help manage overwhelming sensory input.
• Examples: Chewable fidget toys, textured toys, and squishy toys are often used for tactile stimulation and sensory integration.

3. Anxiety and Stress

• How it Helps: Fidget toys are commonly used by individuals with anxiety or high-stress levels as a way to provide distraction and self-soothing. The act of fidgeting can help release nervous energy and calm the nervous system.
• Examples: Fidget spinners, slime, or stress balls provide an outlet for anxious energy and offer a comforting distraction from stress-inducing thoughts.

4. Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

• How it Helps: People with SPD have difficulty processing sensory information, which can lead to either heightened or diminished sensory experiences. Fidget toys help provide predictable and controlled sensory input, assisting individuals in regulating sensory processing.
• Examples: Chew toys, tactile fidget toys, and weighted blankets can help with managing sensory overstimulation or seeking sensory input.

5. OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)

• How it Helps: Fidget toys can provide a healthy outlet for compulsive behaviors, such as repetitive actions or thoughts. By giving the individual something to focus on, these toys may help reduce the urge to engage in more disruptive or harmful compulsions.
• Examples: Fidget cubes and sensory rings allow for small, repetitive movements that can replace or minimize more severe rituals.

6. Tics and Tourette Syndrome

• How it Helps: Some individuals with tics or Tourette Syndrome find that fidget toys help redirect the focus away from involuntary movements or sounds, making it easier to control or distract from the tic behaviors.
• Examples: Fidget cubes, stress balls, or sensory rings can be helpful in providing a more manageable outlet for movement or vocalization.

7. Learning Disabilities

• How it Helps: Fidget toys may help children or adults with learning disabilities focus better on tasks and improve their attention span. By engaging in simple tactile movements, they may be able to process information more effectively during activities like reading, studying, or problem-solving.
• Examples: Chewy necklaces, stress balls, or fidget pens help maintain focus during educational activities.

Does Chewing Gum Help People with ADHD?

Yes, chewing gum can help some people with ADHD, and research has shown that it may have positive effects on focus, concentration, and cognitive performance. Here's how:

How Chewing Gum Helps ADHD

1. Improved Attention and Focus: Studies suggest that chewing gum can improve working memory, attention, and reaction time, which can be beneficial for people with ADHD who often struggle with these areas. The repetitive motion of chewing may help enhance concentration and reduce distractions.

2. Increased Alertness: Chewing gum may stimulate the brain, increasing blood flow to certain areas, particularly the areas responsible for cognitive functions. This can help individuals with ADHD stay alert and engaged in tasks that require focus.

3. Stress Relief: Chewing gum has been found to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, which are common in individuals with ADHD. The act of chewing can help self-soothe and regulate emotions, reducing impulsivity and emotional outbursts.

4. Improved Memory: Some studies suggest that chewing gum may have a positive effect on short-term memory, which can help people with ADHD retain and process information more effectively.

5. Behavioral Benefits: For individuals with ADHD who experience restlessness or hyperactivity, chewing gum provides a non-disruptive outlet for their need to fidget or move. It may help reduce impulsive behaviors and maintain better control over their actions.

What the Research Says

• A 2011 study published in the journal Appetite found that chewing gum could improve concentration and focus in individuals with ADHD, particularly in tasks involving memory recall and reaction time.
• Another study from 2009 published in Brain and Cognition showed that chewing gum improved cognitive performance in students with ADHD during an attention-demanding task.
• A 2015 study in Physiology and Behavior highlighted the benefits of gum chewing on cognitive performance, including improvements in attention and reaction time.

Conclusion

Fidget toys can be incredibly helpful for people with ADHD, autism, anxiety, sensory processing disorder, and other related conditions. They provide a means of self-regulation, sensory input, and emotional support, helping individuals manage their symptoms more effectively.

Chewing gum is also beneficial for some individuals with ADHD, particularly as a tool for improving focus, attention, and memory, as well as reducing stress. Whether it's through fidgeting with a toy or chewing gum, these activities provide a valuable way to support cognitive and emotional regulation for those who need it most.