Toys or medicine Do spinners have any medical or therapeutic benefits?

What do spinners do and what they were actually developed for?
Recently, more and more children and teenagers are playing with a so-called fidget spinner. This toy has now become a veritable fad. But what story is behind this toy? What were the spinners actually designed for??

Are spinners useful in certain diseases or are spinners just a toy without any medical and therapeutic significance? Physicians at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital now published a press release on the findings of their investigation into so-called Fidget Spinners.

Many children own a so-called spinner. Are these fidget spinners just a toy or is there a therapeutic background for their use? (Image: weyo / fotolia.com)

What is a nut??
Almost every child in this country now has a fidget spinner. These spinners have a ball bearing in the middle and usually two or three wings, which are equipped with weights. These weights may also consist of ball bearings. If the spinner is held in its center, for example on a finger and set in rotation, it turns very fast and long.

Some spinners contain harmful chemicals, paints and lubricants
The spinners have become a big fashion trend, so companies try to produce these toys as cheaply and quickly as possible. This often suffers the quality, say the experts. The spinners are made of plastic, metal and ball bearings. There are great differences in the chemicals and lubricants used in the manufacturing process, emphasize the physicians. Also, the colors used could be harmful to the health of our children, the authors say.

Why were spinners developed??
Many people suspect that the spinners were originally invented to help people with ADHD, autism or developmental delays. But how much truth is behind these assumptions? In fact, Fidget spinners have never been designed as a medical or medical device, scientists point out. This assumption is based solely and solely on the intelligent marketing (especially on the Internet) for the product.

Spinners offer a calming stimulation for every user
Repetitive behavior can often be observed in children with developmental delays. Often the affected children with a developmental delay are given a special toy, which they use for stress reduction and some form of distraction, say the doctors. Such children usually carry the special toy with them, no matter where they go. In emergency rooms, children with a developmental delay often also receive toys that move, click, squeak or light up, the experts explain. Spinners offer similarly calming stimulation to users. However, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that they can help with the treatment of ADHD.

Spinners divert users and children nearby
Fidget spinners are a distraction, but not only for their users, but also for all children nearby. This is certainly the main reason why many schools ban toys, the scientists speculate.

Are there any security risks when using spinners?
Most manufacturers say the spinners are safe for children over the age of eight. Because the toys contain small parts that can be swallowed by children. Especially with cheap and incorrectly produced spinners, it is possible that children break them and get to the small parts.

Spinners should not be used under the age of five
Spinners should by no means be issued to children under the age of five, as this group has the greatest suffocation risk, emphasize the physicians. Parents should also educate their children about the risks that occur when the spinner breaks and the small parts are exposed. (As)