Understanding ADHD and the Regulation System
ADHD is not simply “too much energy.”
It is a neurological difference affecting:
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Attention regulation
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Impulse control
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Executive functioning
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Arousal modulation
Children with ADHD often struggle with state regulation — meaning their nervous system has difficulty staying in an optimal zone for learning.
They may be:
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Under-aroused (seeking stimulation)
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Over-aroused (restless and impulsive)
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Easily distracted by external stimuli
The key is not eliminating movement.
The key is organizing movement.
This is where sensory swings can play a role.
The Role of the Vestibular System in Attention
The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, detects:
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Motion
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Balance
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Acceleration
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Spatial orientation
But it does something even more important:
It directly connects to brain areas responsible for:
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Alertness
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Attention
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Eye movement control
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Postural stability
Research in neurodevelopment suggests that vestibular input influences the reticular activating system (RAS) — the brain’s alertness regulator.
When vestibular input is structured and rhythmic, it can:
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Increase alertness in under-aroused children
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Improve sustained attention
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Support motor planning
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Reduce distractibility
This explains why many children with ADHD focus better after controlled movement breaks.
Movement as a Neurological Tool — Not a Distraction
Children with ADHD often move constantly:
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Rocking in chairs
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Tapping feet
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Spinning
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Jumping
This is not defiance.
It is self-stimulation.
Their nervous system is attempting to regulate itself.
A sensory swing provides:
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Controlled vestibular input
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Predictable movement patterns
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Structured stimulation
Instead of random motion, the child receives organized input.
Organized input leads to organized output.
The Proprioceptive Advantage: Deep Pressure & Impulse Control
While vestibular input improves alertness, proprioceptive input stabilizes the body.
The proprioceptive system detects:
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Muscle tension
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Joint compression
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Force
Deep pressure stimulation has been associated with:
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Improved body awareness
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Reduced impulsivity
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Better motor control
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Calmer transitions
When a child sits in a compression-style swing, the fabric provides:
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Gentle containment
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Joint compression
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Full-body feedback
This increases physical awareness, which supports behavioral regulation.
In ADHD, impulsivity often stems from weak body awareness signals.
Proprioceptive input strengthens those signals.
The Arousal Curve & ADHD
Optimal focus occurs in the middle of the arousal curve.
Too low → daydreaming
Too high → hyperactivity
Optimal → engaged attention
Sensory swings can be used strategically:
Slow linear swinging → increases focus gently
Moderate movement → increases alertness
Short movement bursts → reset attention before tasks
Unlike autism-focused use (calming-first), ADHD use is often activation-first followed by stabilization.
This is an important semantic and practical difference.
Executive Function & Bilateral Coordination
Executive functioning includes:
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Task initiation
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Working memory
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Inhibitory control
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Organization
Vestibular input has strong connections to:
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Cerebellum (movement + cognition link)
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Frontal lobe activation
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Eye tracking
Platform swings or seated pod swings can help improve:
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Core stability
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Bilateral coordination
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Motor planning
Improved motor planning often correlates with improved cognitive organization.
Movement and thinking are neurologically linked.
Dopamine & Movement
ADHD is associated with differences in dopamine regulation.
Dopamine influences:
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Motivation
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Attention
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Reward processing
Physical movement increases dopamine levels naturally.
Structured swinging may:
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Provide dopamine stimulation
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Improve mood regulation
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Support task engagement afterward
This is why many occupational therapists recommend “movement before focus.”
Sensory Swings as a Pre-Homework Focus Tool
A practical routine:
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10 minutes of moderate swinging
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2 minutes of still compression
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Transition directly to homework
This supports:
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Nervous system activation
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Physical organization
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Reduced fidgeting
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Improved seated tolerance
For a broader overview of swing types and benefits, see our complete sensory swing guide.
ADHD Sensory Profiles: Hyperactive vs Inattentive
Hyperactive / Combined Type
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Constant motion
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Impulsive behavior
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Difficulty sitting
Best approach:
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Controlled linear swinging
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Movement intervals before structured tasks
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Moderate amplitude motion
Inattentive Type
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Daydreaming
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Low alertness
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Poor task initiation
Best approach:
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Slightly faster, activating movement
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Short movement bursts
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Followed by immediate cognitive engagement
Unlike autism-focused regulation, ADHD-focused use aims to optimize alertness, not reduce stimulation entirely.
Clinical & Home Use
In therapy settings, swings are used to:
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Improve attention span
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Strengthen postural control
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Support executive functioning
At home, best results occur when:
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Swings are used before homework
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Movement is structured, not chaotic
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Time is limited (10–15 minutes)
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Followed by immediate task engagement
Consistency matters more than intensity.
Are Sensory Swings a Treatment for ADHD?
Sensory swings are not a replacement for:
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Behavioral therapy
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Medication
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Educational accommodations
They are a regulation tool.
For some children, structured vestibular and proprioceptive input supports:
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Improved focus
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Reduced impulsivity
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Better emotional control
Results vary by individual.
But when used strategically, swings can become part of a comprehensive regulation plan.
Final Thoughts
ADHD is not about eliminating movement.
It is about organizing movement.
Vestibular input increases alertness.
Proprioceptive input stabilizes the body.
Together, they support attention regulation.
For practical application strategies, see our guide on sensory swings for ADHD.