Fidget spinners are also known as hand spinners and EDC spinners and are currently a very popular toy in all age groups. Originally, Fidget Spinners were designed for a completely different reason, namely to reduce stress and relieve nervousness. Many sellers advertise the hand spinners as a concentration aid for people with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). But are the little toys really useful for relaxation and concentration?
EDC spinners are often more of a distraction than an aid to concentration
The alleged benefits against stress and hyperactivity have undoubtedly contributed to many parents buying their children an EDC spinner. However, there is no scientifically proven benefit so far. While the spinner may have a calming effect on some children, there are no consistent results for those with nervous conditions. Instead, obsession with this toy has caused distraction from lessons in many schools around the world, and is thus mostly not allowed in schools.
Physical exercise has been shown in studies to help children with ADHD because it increases activity in the prefrontal brain area and thus improves concentration. The spinner, however, requires relatively little physical engagement and is instead visually distracting.
The claim that the spinners are good for stress relief and concentration is primarily a marketing strategy. Even though it was exactly this goal that originally led to the conception of the device, there is no scientific basis for this claim. Many experts agree that a Fidget Spinner is merely a toy and does not replace treatment for ADHD.
For some people, the spinner may indeed be a help in stressful situations, but no more than a stress ball or music. It is not a universal stress reliever.
Fidget Spinner for Autistic People
While the benefits of the spinner for ADHD or nervousness are rather doubtful, there is no doubt that the Fidget Spinner is a help to autistic children. Many therapists use sensory-activating toys to calm autistic children.
Autistic children tend to be restless and fidgety, a Fidget Spinner gives them an outlet for the inner turmoil they feel.
