It’s hard not to see the trend in fidget spinners. This type of device has become wildly popular and, for some, it’s completely understandable; others may not understand the fascination at all. However, there may be benefits to fidget spinners beyond mindless activity. It is something that is talked about in great detail in a recent Huffpost California article delineating the connection between fidget spinners and aiding those with autism or ADHD.

The Evidence

Fidget spinners are fairly new and, because of this, a lengthy and detailed study of how using a fidget spinner can offer relief in children suffering from autism or children who suffer from ADHD is not available. However, there are interesting indicators and anecdotal evidence that might suggest that fidget spinners aren’t the mindless fidgeting that many adults see them as.

What is Commonly Known

It is a proven fact that for children that suffer from ADHD, constant repetitive motion can actually improve and increase the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. What this does is it helps improve concentration and focus, which is one of the things that people suffering from ADHD tend to lack. Much like tapping a pen on a desk or doodling can help people regain focus and concentration, such is the effect of a fidget spinner.

Anecdotal Evidence

As it relates to anecdotal evidence, there have been cases where students with ADHD and behavioral problems have been given fidget spinners in the classroom and the results have been positive. The same is said for some parents who give their child who suffers from Tourette syndrome a fidget spinner; they found that this helped their child function better. However, a parent giving a fidget spinner to their autistic child found that this exacerbated the child’s negative behavior.

The bottom line is that fidget spinners may not be as frivolous as some people have thought. There may be a benefit to people dealing with ADHD, Tourette syndrome or autism. While the jury is still out and much more research and study will need to be done, there is reason to believe that this may may actually help certain children in the long-run.