My child's teacher says their fidget is too distracting. What should I do?

Fidgets can be used as tools for kids in the classroom to help them stay focused or redirect away from harmful behaviors. Sometimes, teachers tell parents that their child's fidget is too distracting. We've even heard of teachers who want to segregate a student or remove them from class if they need to use their fidget.

Here are some ideas for addressing a teacher's concern while making sure a child has the support they need:

• Ask the teacher for more details about why it’s distracting during that time. What are their specific issues/examples?
• Maybe the teacher needs to teach the child to use the fidget in a way that's less distracting.
• If it is really distracting, maybe there’s an alternative tool the child could use. There are many options, so it's possible to find one or multiple fidgets that work for everyone.
• Talk to the child about their experiences and preferences.