topic Re: Spinner Toy in Community Chat

Spinner Toy

makena — Fri, 26 May 2017 22:20:51 GMT

I can't believe the things people will rush to buy. Someone is making a fortune. I can see kids being fascinated by these things. But this 30+ year old in our office has one and plays with it all day and it squeaks. He plays video games with his feet up on his desk on his break. He has some kind of nasal issue and refuses to use a tissue. He wipes his nose with his hand. Ugh. The sounds that come from him are nauseating.

These fidgit things are said to be relaxing to the person using them. What about the people around you who have to listen to it. It's nerve-wracking and distracting. Like watching someone who has a nervous condition and their constantly shaking their leg. I wish someone would tell him to leave his toys at home.

Re: Spinner Toy

Kachina624 — Fri, 26 May 2017 22:26:07 GMT

People will probably buy them like crazy and put them away for Christmas gifts. By Christmas, they'll be long forgotten relics.

Re: Spinner Toy

on the bay — Fri, 26 May 2017 23:15:15 GMT

I just watched a news story about the dangers of these-one girl almost died as the bearing shot into her mouth and another mother told of her 3 year old who had it in his bed and the ball bearing had come out-luckily she found it in time.

There were other reports of children ending up in er because of their injuries from these "toys"

Re: Spinner Toy

makena — Sat, 27 May 2017 00:03:27 GMT

@on the bay wrote:
I just watched a news story about the dangers of these-one girl almost died as the bearing shot into her mouth and another mother told of her 3 year old who had it in his bed and the ball bearing had come out-luckily she found it in time.
There were other reports of children ending up in er because of their injuries from these "toys"

I've already heard of a 9-year old who choked on a piece. I'm sure 9 is old enough not to put it in your mouth. Now come the lawsuits.

Re: Spinner Toy

on the bay — Sat, 27 May 2017 00:06:54 GMT

It wasn't a case of someone putting it in their mouth but the ball bearing flying out and either hitting them or in the case of the girl who almost died, landing in her throat. The mother wanted to warn other mothers.

Re: Spinner Toy

Cakers3 — Sat, 27 May 2017 00:11:51 GMT

The problem with these spinners is that there are multiple manufacturers with varying minimum age recommendations.

One even says "infants" to adults.

Re: Spinner Toy

lolakimono — Sat, 27 May 2017 00:31:04 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
People will probably buy them like crazy and put them away for Christmas gifts. By Christmas, they'll be long forgotten relics.

@Kachina624

Probably the same people who buy the FlashPad!

Re: Spinner Toy

Noel7 — Sat, 27 May 2017 00:51:50 GMT

They have been used for quite some time to help autistic and ADD kids learn to concentrate.

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missy1 — Sat, 27 May 2017 00:55:24 GMT

I just played with one. Nothing exciting about it. I could see where autistic children might enjoy the repetitiveness.

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wildcat fan — Sat, 27 May 2017 01:19:28 GMT

I confiscated 3 today. Some of my co-workers have totally banned them in their classrooms; they confiscate and leave in front office for parents to pick up. The ones I took were from kids who have not submitted any ADHD/ADD paperwork, and I returned them at the end of the day.

The worst ones light up and make buzzing sounds as they spin. Some sound like my son's old remote control cars.

I've told them as long as it's quiet and spinning in a way that's not a distraction (like under their desks), they can use it. However, most of my students have their work on their desk, but their arms are raised high above their heads spinning the fidget while their eyes are fixated on the fidget instead of their work. Next thing I know several students are watching it and one will usually ask to try while I'm telling them to focus on their work. Other students complain about the noise and distraction. One of the noisiest light-up fidgets is operated by an ADHD student whose mother made 3 appearances this week demanding that her child have the right to use one and complaining about the teachers who banned it. I think the fidget has negatively impacted this child's ability to pay attention, but with 2 weeks left in the school year, this just isn't a can of worms I want to open. Hopefully, the child will grow tired of it over the summer so next year's teachers won't have to deal with it.

I wish our school would put out a policy like a few have done!

Today I noticed the articles about choking hazards. They do come apart easily. At any given time, parts will be rolling across the floor. There are little rings about the size of a dime that can pop off. I saw an article today recommending them for ages 12 and up.

Re: Spinner Toy

wildcat fan — Sat, 27 May 2017 01:26:15 GMT

I read this article today that cited a clinical psychologist and head of ADHD program at Duke University who said there is no evidence to support claims of benefits. It also cautioned about choking incidents.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/cpsc-warns-parents-fidget-spinners-young-children-swallowing/story?id=47657409

Re: Spinner Toy

Mellie32 — Sat, 27 May 2017 01:27:11 GMT

I had a kid bring one to school. He said, "People with AHDH can use them." I said, "But honey -- you don't have that." He said, "Oh" and dropped his head down.

It's a very distracting toy -- which is why I might play with my niece and nephew's fidget spinners sometimes.

Re: Spinner Toy

Kachina624 — Sat, 27 May 2017 04:01:30 GMT

@lolakimono wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
People will probably buy them like crazy and put them away for Christmas gifts. By Christmas, they'll be long forgotten relics.
@Kachina624
Probably the same people who buy the FlashPad!

@lolakimono Hey! Maybe it'll be the new flash pad. Perhaps finally a replacement. Grandma is hearing right now how popular they are. She'll buy a ton for the gift stash. Everyone will get one.

🤗

Re: Spinner Toy

Shorty2U — Sat, 27 May 2017 05:37:12 GMT

My 13 yr olld granddaughter has one. I actually wouldnt mind having one. I think it would fun and my cat would probably like to watch it spin...lol.

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Pook — Sat, 27 May 2017 08:03:39 GMT

I would have lovd to have had one to help me get through the boring meetings when I was still working!! I did amass quite a collection of doodle art though. It seems it would also help with panic attacks to have something to concentrate on.

Re: Spinner Toy

Nataliesgramma — Sat, 27 May 2017 10:39:51 GMT

Re: Spinner Toy

Mellie32 — Sat, 27 May 2017 13:25:27 GMT

@Shorty2U wrote:
My 13 yr olld granddaughter has one. I actually wouldnt mind having one. I think it would fun and my cat would probably like to watch it spin...lol.

I got 2 for my niece and nephew on ebay -- $1.89 each. No need to spend more than that.

Re: Spinner Toy

Plaid Pants2 — Sat, 27 May 2017 13:42:39 GMT

I am just waiting for them to be sold on the Q.

I can see it now, "$20 bill alert! Get this 'Must-Have' toy that is all the rage for $19.95 (plus $3 shipping) for the holidays! Gift one to your mailman, UPS driver, dog walker, babysitter, teacher, etc! It's on three easy payments of only $6.65 a month! Hurry! we only have 10,000 left in stock, and once they're gone, they're gone!"

Re: Spinner Toy

wildcat fan — Sat, 27 May 2017 13:56:54 GMT

I haven't been there, but around here the kids say the best place to get them is the local flea market with some models under a dollar. I also noticed them next to the cash register at Walgreens and CVS.

I'm kind of fascinated with the spinner's cousin, the fidget cube. Although more expensive (around $20, I think), it's much quieter and not as distracting to those around them.

ETA: oops! I just Googled and saw some cubes on eBay for as low as 99 cents (plus shipping) and saw Walmart sells them for $8.99. Looks like the cubes are cheaper than I thought. It pays to shop around.

Re: Spinner Toy

SahmIam — Sat, 27 May 2017 14:38:43 GMT

My 10 year old has 5 of them and yes, the parts drop out quite easily.... poor design. He and his buddies bring them to school when testing is going on; they sit quietly and spin them after they're done with the testing. Teachers love them as the boys tend to just sit and spin, lol. No issues.

My 17 year old has ADHD; takes meds daily and without the meds, has serious issues with being able to focus. Part of ADHD is anxiety and restlessness; he has had a squeezeball with him for years (many of the private all boy schools use these from K-12 and claim it's a great tool) to help with the excess energy/anxiety. When his younger brother brought one of the spinners home, my 17 year old picked it up and started spinning it. Next thing I know, he's doing homework with a spinner going in the hand or on the table. Usually homework is difficult as his meds have worn off (he burns through them quickly) but something about the spinner calmed him down. He now uses one in class during tests (teachers report that the difference is obvious) and we've had it written into his 504 at school.

I don't care what any report or study says; seeing how it works with my son, I absolutely believe that other individuals with ADHD or autism find these things helpful.

BTW, we placed taped under all the circles to keep the parts in. Shouldn't have to but there it is.