Astronaut Training
Enhancing Balance, Coordination, and Spatial Awareness
At Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies, we love using Astronaut Training to help children develop better coordination, spatial awareness, and overall sensory integration in a fun and engaging way. This therapeutic protocol is designed to develop optimal vestibular function, which is necessary to support sensory processing and motor function.
What Is Astronaut Training?
Astronaut training is an intervention that targets our vestibular, visual, and auditory sensory systems. The vestibular system is one of our sensory systems and it helps us understand the position of our head and body in space. It helps us with balance, spatial orientation, and maintaining a stable visual field. When the vestibular system works efficiently with the auditory and visual systems, children are better able to move, explore, and engage with objects, people, and events.
How Does Astronaut Training Work?
During a session, your child will first engage in pre-astronaut training exercises (spinning in standing, changes in head position) to help prepare for activation of the vestibular system. They progress to completing rotations on the astronaut training spinning board that provides clear and precise input to the six inner ear receptors. Children also listen to specific music and space sounds while engaging in the specific head, body, and eye exercises to help support sensory integration.
Who Can Benefit from Astronaut Training?
Astronaut Training is a great fit for children who have difficulty moving through space, are fearful of movement, crave spinning, have difficulty walking on uneven surfaces, motion sickness, or difficulty sitting still. This may indicate one’s vestibular system is not functioning properly.
Some of the reasons why one’s vestibular system might not be functioning effectively or “shut down” could be due to a history of ear infections, high fevers, allergies, head trauma, or restricted movement.
What Are the Benefits of Astronaut Training?
Astronaut training helps enhance vestibular processing to support:
Balance and body awareness
Coordination
Movement tolerance
Ocular stabilization
Timing and rhythmicity of movement
Emotional stability
Let’s Get Started!
At Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies, our therapists may incorporate Astronaut Training sessions into your child’s therapy plan. We’re here to help them build confidence, improve their sensory processing, and develop the skills they need to thrive.
Want to learn more? Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and see how Astronaut Training can support your child’s growth!