Airwalker / snuggle swings are beneficial for a lot of students with sensory modulation issues. When used skillfully, they have the potential to purposefully either calm or alert a nervous system. This dual use is one of the reasons the swings are helpful with so many of our students, but it also means a possibility exists for us to evoke a response opposite to that which we intend. When using swings, it is possible to bring a child down too far and bottom them out. It is also possible to provide so much intensity that we disorganize their system.
Vestibular interventions, such as swinging and spinning, have an especially strong impact on a child’s nervous system. Many of our students have compromised nervous systems, so when one of them uses a therapeutic swing, they should always be monitored for autonomic nervous system responses. Watch for responses such as a pale appearance, flushing, fast or shallow breathing, glassy staring, pupil dilation / constriction, sudden quietness or withdrawal, sweating, going to sleep, negative facial or emotional expressions, “revving up”, dizziness, vomiting, behavioral disorganization, etc. Anyone supervising the student should know general sensory interventions to use at the time negative responses occur. If an OT or PT is consulting on the use of the swing and an autonomic response occurs, stop the swinging and contact the therapist. If you are using swings with children outside the consultation of an OT or PT, reassess your approach. Please call the OT or PT any time you have any questions.