Spinners are very popular right now and there is quite the controversy about them. Schools are banning them as they are disrupting class, parents insisting their children 'need' them for Autism and ADHD. Well here is my take on Spinners.
As many of you know, our shop Karleen's Ideas started with making weighted blankets, lap pads, vest and other Sensory Items to help Special Needs children. We have grown over the years to include other Sewn Items, Jewelry, Wall Art, Shell Art and Sensory, Therapy & Social Toys. We have a great selection of Fidgets - Spinners, Cubes, Bracelets, Rings, Tangles, Chew Tubes, Pencils, Balls, etc....all great for fidgeting. The key is to know what item works best for different senarios, whether the child is at home, school, a baseball game, etc.....different fidgets may work better in different places. For example a child may like using a chewy tube at home but a chewy pencil topper may work better at school.
Having 3 sons with Autism, I understand that the schools need to understand our children need to fidget. But we as parents need to understand that typical child have a right to an education without being distracted. My children's right to fidget does not trump a typical child's right to an education. This is where Special Needs Parents need to pick and choose our battles. Yes our children should have the right to fidget but our children do not have the right to disrupt class. Now if spinners were the only fidget available, then my views would be different but spinners are not the only fidget available. Hell when Donald was in elementary school his only fidget was velcro under his desk and a bungee cord on his chair and it worked. Parents should be thankful we have so many more options now and many of them do not disrupt the class.
My point is, appreciate that we have more options and choose a fidget that does not disrupt other children. I agree with the schools, spinners should not be allowed in class!! With that said they should be allowed at recess. I have seen many comments from Special Needs Parents saying "typical kids should not be allowed to use them"........."It is not fair that they are sold as toys"........."why do regular kids have to ruin it for our kids".... and other things like that. Seriously??? They are sold as toys because they are a toy, a fidget toy yes, but still a toy. I think it is great that there is a toy that ALL children like and that is bringing kids together. The child that stays alone at recess may now have kids talking to him/her about spinners, showing each other tricks, trading and having fun. Spinners could be a great opener for future friendships!!!
The attitude of 'us verses them' has to stop!!!! To the parents who want to insist their child can use a fidget spinner even though it distracts the class, you are setting your child apart from the class. We need to find the middle ground to help our children and not promote separation. Fidget cubes are a great middle ground, they can fidget and not distract the other kids. Demanding your child can use one will only make it harder to fit in. We all need to work to bring our children together not serarate them!!
