Floor Sitter - Giving The Support They Need

By: Kevin Cleary


Autism is a developmental disorder that affects every child differently. The one seemingly common thread to every child on the autism spectrum is a lack of normal development. This can manifest itself in the form of social anxieties, verbal deficiencies, or even an inability to socially interact with their peers. Occupational therapy can benefit children affected by autism by improving motor skills such as posture and balance. The use of a floor sitter can help achieve some of these motor skill goals

 Floor Therapy:

For children with special needs, such as autism, social interaction can be difficult. Floor time therapy allows those children the ability to interact on the floor at the same level, eye to eye. In a classroom setting, a floor sitter can allow autistic children to be on the floor during circle time. This can improve social interaction skills as well as facilitate an easier learning environment. At home, the use of a floor sitter can be fun for activities such as family game night. The whole family can try a floor puzzle or some other type of social interaction.  This can allow an autistic sibling to interact with the rest of the family on even footing and with the extra support they may need. This “floor time” helps children reach six crucial developmental milestones for emotional/intellectual growth. These include: self-regulation/interest in the world, engagement in human relations, two-way and complex communications, and emotional ideas/thinking.  A floor sitter can help children from infants to adolescents increase pelvic stability and strengthen core muscles needed for proper seating. Many can also be positioned into a reclining position depending on the child’s activity.

Tumble Form 2 Deluxe Floor Sitter:

Being able to have your child sit on the floor with their peers is beneficial for social therapy for autistic children. Not only does it put them at eye level with other children their age, it allows them to strengthen their core muscles and improve posture which can be an issue with autistic children. The Tumble Forms 2 Floor Sitters have adjustable shoulder straps in order to allow your child to sit securely and even grow with their seat. The shoulder harness slots allow for a four-inch vertical adjustment to accommodate children of different heights. They also incorporate a 45° hip strap while utilizing a quick release H-belt to maintain your child’s position correctly. The smaller versions of this sitter (small and medium) have an anti-thrust seat to increase pelvic stability. For children that are unable to ambulate, the mobile floor sitter can build lower body strength by pushing themselves around. For autistic children who need help with their gross motor skill development, these are perfect!!   These sitters

also allow for children to be in a reclined position or sitting upright for feeding purposes. The TumbleForms 2 Floor Sitter Wedge can help position your child in an upright or reclined position depending on the activity required. You can secure your child in the right position with a Velcro hook and loop system for instant adjust-ability for feeding or therapy time.

 Social skills are something that some children with autism need assistance with to develop. Being able to be eye to eye puts them on level footing with other children. Whether in a reclined or upright position, or even in a seat that is mobile, this can help children develop social and interpersonal skills they may not have had.