KOCHI: Fidget spinner, which has taken the world on a spin, has taken the city by the storm. The toys, which is said to be a stress buster and also apparently helps in developing concentration, is going off the shop shelves like hot cakes. However, the medical fraternity expressed their reservation over claims that the toy helps in resolving Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism and stress.Fidget spinners have became the must have toys this year, although similar devices had already been invented as early as 1993. The toys arrive in the city from United States and the Gulf countries. “We sell five to six pieces of fidget spinner daily. More and more people are buying the toy since they believe that it helps in improving concentration,” said a sales girl at a supermarket at West Hill.
While many want to bust stress, parents have found a novel use for the toy. “The toy has proved to be very good distraction for kids. Give them one and you will have peace of mind for sometime,” said Mehr M P, a professional in the city. He got the toy from his cousin, who brought it from America. Kids not only in the city but also the state are taking to the toy with a belief that it will do something to sharpen their concentration. “Kids in my son’s school are crazy about it.
One can see kids walking on the roads with this toy spinning on their fingers,” said Tony Jose, a professional working in Kochi, whose 9th standard son is an ardent user of the toy. According to Mirshad Kulamullathil from Nadapuram, his friend has been using the spinner as a tension reliever. “A person fidgets with a pen or anything in his hand when tensed. So instead of any mundane object he or she can use this toy to relieve their tension,” he said.
However, Institute Of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences director Dr P Krishna Kumar said the claims have no scientific base. “Autistic children have stereotypical behaviour. These kids do the same kind of thing for a long period. If they are given a fidget spinner, it will hold their attention and they will get busy with it. We cannot allow such a trend. These kids need to mingle with others to develop social skills. Using spinners to treat autism will prove detrimental,” he said.