Do Fidget Spinners Really Aid in Reducing Anxiety and ADHD? Experts Are Dubious

fidget spinner

You must have heard a lot about fidget spinners by now. These are simple toys with small blades, which whirl in speed. The latest Internet buzz on fidget spinners talks about its theraputic benefits on people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. The surprising fact is no one even knew about fidget spinners six months back. It’s since December when Forbes designate them as “office toys,” they start getting popular. Aren’t you excited to know do fidget spinners really have healing benefits?

When Was Fidget Spinner First Invented?

Do you know the story behind the invention of the first prototype of fidget spinners? It was the invention of a worried mother named Catherine Hettinger to overcome the communication difficulty of her disabled daughter. Though the prototype was created in 1993, she patented it after four years, but all her efforts went in vain. It didn’t get sold even after trying so hard.

What Benefits Are Claimed?

Manufacturers have claimed that fidget spinners can reduce your stress, increase your focus, and give you inner calm. They offer a nice way to drain out your nervousness.

Retailers have build a strategy to market these devices. They are promoting these toys as they are designed in a way to help kids with ADHD, anxiety, and autism. They also claim these to reduce hypertension and let your kids focus on studies.

What Psychiatrists Opine?

Pilar Trelles, an MD psychiatrist by profession, when contacted opines: “When someone is hypersensitive to the environment, they might bite their nails, pull out their cuticles, or pinch their skin. Yes, fidget spinners can help folks cope with higher-than-average energy levels, anxiety, or extreme sensitivity to certain environments.”

Another clinical psychologist, Scott Kollins, contradicts the opinion of Trelles, “I know there’s lots of similar toys, just like there’s lots of other games and products marketed toward individuals who have ADHD, and there’s basically no scientific evidence that those things work across the board. It’s important that people don’t get into trying these fads when we do have treatments that can help these kids.”

Is Benefits of Fidget Spinners Are Proven?

It’s quite obvious that there have been no scientific studies till now, which evidence fidget spinners to be beneficial, as they are very new. You can hope of some scientific researches coming up in future.

For now, if we go by user opinion, many are saying these to be effective. Parents commented that these toys have helped their autistic kids to concentrate. Kids even said playing with these toys they feel relieved from their anxiety.

Can Fidget Spinners Be Detrimental?

Till date there has been no ultimate cure to autism. Still various scientifically proven treatments are applied to reduce the suffering. Many psychiatrists don’t believe in this so called therapeutic toys and are worried about parents applying these toys on kids to increase their focus. They said that using these toys along with medical treatment can have adverse effect on kids. It may cause other complications. They also have berated the retailers who have been using such sensitive matters as advertising campaigns.

Dr. Louis J. Kraus from the Rush University Medical Center, one among them, said, “To the best of my knowledge, there’s no science behind what they’re advertising. Without any research to show it’s of benefit, I think it’s wrong for them to advertise these things as helpful.”

Wrapping It Up

Whether fidget toys are beneficial or not, you cannot just risk the health of your kids. So, think again and again before you arrive into any decision. If needed, consult with your doctor and do more research.

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