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

2. 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

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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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?

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. Postural Control Extensor System Flexor System Cocontraction
Strength and Endurance

13. 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.

14. 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

15. Thank you for listening!
Have a wonderful day!